Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1908-03-12
Americas, Ga, March -, 1908.
WHY DOES MIR. HUGHES SEEK OPP.
POSITION TO MR.. LEWIS?

POSITION TO MR.. LEWIS?
If the current rumors are correct,
and there seems to be good foundation
Of fact for them, Hon. Dudley Hughes,
while not at this moment a candidate
for congress himself, is especially
anxious to bring some one else into
the field against Congressman Lewis,
who has publicly announced that he
will not be candidate two years
hence for the position he has so hon
orally and satisfactorily filled.
Especially why Mr. Hughes should
be so anxious to stir up opposition to
Congressman Lewis at this time we
do not understand. 1t is Mr.. Hughes
prerogative, like that of any other
American citizen, to run for Congress
himself any time he wants to, or to
induce anyone else to run if he can.
But what good it will do him, or
what good it will do the Third dis
trict, we fail to see
Congressman Lewis stands high in
Congress. He understands the meth
DDS in Congress and is in position to
do better and more effective work the
next two years than ever before.
Americas is especially interested in
returning Congressman Lewis. We
have a big empty lot back of the
Windsor Hotel, where a government
building must some day stand.
Through Congressman Lewis's efforts
an appropriation of $4,000 was Sc
cured two or three years ago for this
purpose. Of this $4,000 went for the
site. leaving $4,000 for building. 1t
was seen that this was not adequate
for a building such as Americas wants
and needs, and ct the request of the
people of this city work was deferred
until such time as another appropria-
ton could be had to supplement this.
We want this government building to
be an honor to Americas, to Sumter
county, to the Third district, and it
must cost not less than $4,000 to
100000.
Congressman Lewis is more apt to
secure this additional appropriation
for us than any new Congressman
would be- no matter who he might be
This is pure selfshness, of course
But no doubt Mr. Hughes also has
some personal motive in seeking OPP
position to Mr.. Lewis There is no
blame attaching either to him or to us
for being governed by a spirit of this
nature. We are all selfish in a great
er or less degree and because we are
so-and we are not ashamed to say
we are selfish for Americas and Sum-
ter county-we want Congressman
Lewis returned to Washington for the
next two years. We want that public
building.
Outside of this the other counties of
the District will not suffer by Cong
ressman Lewis's retention for another
two years He is in position to keep
up the good work for rural mail routes
and other things in which the farmers
throughout the district are vitality in
terested.
Of course Amoricus would like to
see an Americas or Sumter County
man in congress. Maybe two years
from now we may have that pleasure
But we can hardly understand why
Mr.. Hughes should be SO anxious to
have an Americas man run for Cong
ress just at this time Would it adj
vance Mr.. Hughes present or future
political ambitions? He may think so,
but we candidly confess that we can
not take the same view of the mat
ter.
1t seldom does q man any good to
simply stir up opposition to another
man needlessly, and really there is
no need for any opposition at this
time to Congressman Lewis
And as for two years hence, well
Mr.. Lewis will not be candidate and
then it may be Sumter's time. But
perhaps Mr.. Hughes may not be so
anxious for a strong Sumter man to
run then as he seems to be now.