St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1906-05-16
The Second District.
A.. Fitting limo to Change Gu
N0' Congregational Delegates.

strong lettet HUN Jun II. H'ass GU
dorsing Col. Haskins as his own success
sor. Mr.. Flagg formerly resided in
Wilmington, was for several years clerk
oftbe Vermont House OF Representatives
and later principal legislative clerk Of the
limited States Senate.
Editor of The Phoenix:
Will you allow the cour'e sy of your
Columns to a native of good old Wind.
ham county for a few observations
touching question ia which your
readers have vital interest. and one
which, rightly or wrongly, must soon be
decided? The recent announcement of
Gov. Bell that he is an avowed candidate
for nomination as representative from
The Second Congressional district
AGAINST Col. Haskins, together with the
declination OF Mr.. Plumlev to become
such. narrows the field to the two can
didates first mentioned, and the practical
question is which of the two should be
nominated. Ia my judgment, the
considerations here presented should b.
paramount to all others in determining
this question, and hope to make it clear
WHY It would be misfortune to the
district and state at large ii the present
incumbent, est at the time oil his greatest
prominence and usefulness, should be
discarded because, and only because, the
ambition ofsome new, raw. inexperienced
man demands the sacrifice!
Born in Vermont and residing there for
ha my lifetime, have ne yer yet been
abb. to look with indifference on any
toing affecting its welfare and hope l
never shall be, and il | have any moral
right to interpose my views upon old
friends in the district it is only because
as a native OF the state, proui its past
and hopeful of its future, sincerely
deprecate any step tending to arrest its
progress, and especially one calculated
to abridge its traditional influence in the
councils Of the nation.
And first let me say that am nobody's
"iungle. beater," being an absolutely I'M
preiudiced observer, writing without the
knowledge or suggestion OF any person
whomsoever, and with no conceivable
motive save to point out the inevitable
consequences that will follow an ill adj
vsed action of the convention And II,
ia addition to an impartial Judgment,
knowledge gained by service of many
years as principal clerk OF the United
States Senate should render me more
competent than | other wise would be to
form an intelligent one also, | am pleased
to have it so and to give the benefit OF
that experience to this discussion.
At the time Oft admission into the
Union in 1891 Vermonts relative repre-
Hath nj NnnnrPcC
stood as l to So In 1850 it stood as l
to go. Ia 1880 as to 100, and at the
present time it stands as l to ia. We
thus see that the state is constantly and
rapidly losing in numeric power and this
loss must continue 10 equal or increasing
ratio so long as the states population
remains practically stationary las, for
instance, since 1850 and the growth OF
other states and the admission of new
ones steadily reduce her ratio by each
succeeding apportionment.
1t would seem manifest, therefore, that
the only way by which a stationary
state like Vermont can hope to neutralize
this constantly increasing numeric loss
is by exerting a more potential influence
than that exerted by an equal repre- SEN
tation else W here chosen, and the obvious
indeed the only way in which this can be
accomplished, is by the selection OF the
fitted men in the first instance, and, once
selected aud chosen, by hanging onto
them. Such influence OF course could
not be exerted ii all the states were repre-
scented only by experienced men. But
they are not so represented and never
will b. so long as new states are from
time to time admitted and new districts
are continually being formed throug hout
the old states by reason OF an increased
apportioDment.
That G W. Bell is man OF character
and ability may be conceded. Ihat
however, is not the question. Any new
member entering Congress, whatever b'
his ability, must OF necessity begin a.
the bottom. Tue inevitable apprentice
ship must be served alike by all of them
The strongest men like ir6eld, Blaine
Reed, Randall, Carlisle, Hoar, Canon
Mckinley, were for years practica
monentities, and did not attemp
prominence, much less leadership, unit
they had spent term after term in labor
Gus preparation. No new member Cal
exert the slightest influence (beyond hi
Individual votel or inspire the feebles
folio wing for any measure he may advo
cate He must go way back and 81
down." until by long and faithful servic
he has impressed himself upon the Hous
and gained it's confidence.
How utterly absurd and short-sighte
it therefore is for any constituency t
throw over a faithful representative
one who has become valuable to them b
reason OF this very experience, and resor
to some new, abso utely inexperience
man who, it be shall thereafter count to
anything, must OF necessity pass throug
this same period OF discipline and pre- pa
alton. An efficient member OF Congress
should be regarded as an asset or inves
ment, valu able according to his usetu
ness, and when th 1t usefulness ceases
becomes essentially diminished, he shout
make way tor his successor.
What would be thought OF prop
sition to dlsplace one OF your supren
court judges after long, fatthtul and dl
tinguished judicial service in order TO a
point some average, commonplace Law
yer. possessing no special or acknoS
lodged fitness tor the place; or what II an
business concern should summary di
miss an old and faithful employe
familiar from years OF experience vii
every detail of the business, in order
put in his place some person without e
perience who knew absolutely noth't
ahont h;s d,,t;as II vuouid Of course