The morning journal-courier., 1907-12-20
THE FACTS ABOUT McAL1.

Without saying a word against Woods, Champlin or any one else who may aspire to the succession to Con- gressman Mccall next year, here is the situation, and it is something for the voters of the Eighth congressional dis trict, containing as it does the most in- telNgent constituency in the state, and the most independent, to consider
 Mccall has tried to be faithful to ti1at constituency to the extent of rep presenting it to the best of hls ability and no enc questions his ahility-and without dictation from outside. Tn that way he has acquired a unique reputa- ton all over the country, and the country has come to think that he must have a mighty intelligent district to back a man up as it was him, with all his independence.
 There is only one man now between Mccall and the .chairmanship of the ways and means committee, the most important committee n the house and one, of the very greatest importance to Massachusetts in case of the tariff re- vision, which is likely to come in the next Congress. How absurd 1t would be to throw away that position, The district certainly could not have it fl she were represented by any other man than Mccall; and if he were left at home, Massachusetts might not have even a place on the committee,
 As far as civic pride is concerned' from the distance of Washington Som- erville and Winchester would be prac- tieally on the same side of the street. They could have no adverse interests If the district thinks it has anything to gain by way of securing position or prestige at Washington or all over the United States by electing Woods ol 7nyocdy else in place of Mccall, why of course it will do it.
 Mccall to be sure, has besn in 8 pretty small minority in Washington on some important questions. But he is | Inclined to think he was right, from the 1 Philippine question down to the per fornancej which President Mellen and some others think is now bearing fruit in the railroad and general business situation
 Mccall probably was never more useful to the district at Washington and he probably never had more real influence there than he has now An administration congressman is author ity for the statement that McCall's speech saved the subsidy bill The first time President Roosevelt made the fight for reciprocity with Cuba he was defeated He then called 9 special ses- l sion to consider the matter, and 1t is the only thing during his administra- ] ton for which he has called a special session It came before the committed on ways and means. As a member of that committee, Mccall closed the de- bate for Cuban reciprocity; and that i time it went through.
 Mccall has served about 6 years in | Congress, He has been returned each time by very large pluralities There | fore it is not to be expected that he | will place himself in the very undigni. fed attitude of scrambling for a re- nomination. It may be that some think next year will be a good one in which | to discipline" him, but it might be q rather expensive job Whether the gen eral outsider sympathizes with Mccall l in some of his attitude on public ques- tions may be questioned but there is no doub, that his position has the sup l port of great many intelligent people i in Massachusetts Boston Transcript