The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-01-27
CONCERNING A CONGRESSMAN.

After the lapse of period So long that the memory
OF the pioneer scarcely runneth to the contrary catches
of the pioneer scarcely runneh the contrary Spokane
sees some possibility of contributing member of
the United States congress to the state delegation The
prospect comes in rather humiliatng manner being
made available only through the inclination Of states
from town in the foothills to seize the of
senator from slightly larger place to the south The
humiliation arises from the fact that Spokane, admittedly
of the three great cities of the state and in
respects the greatest of these is politically isolated and
almost unknown within the state boundaries.
There nothing to be gained and much to be ashamed
OF IN recountng the for this Every citizen at
all interested in local politics must understand them and
should have his lesson learned by this time If the
city hope of congressman might better be dropped now
to save trouble The memory of what John L. Wilson
long ago. what George Turner sometimes thought
be- and what Wheat Chart Jones alleged be- must
continue to be Spokanes claim congressional achieve
ment
However, the present offers some symptoms of har-
mony, albeit overabundance of candidates already
Some three or four gentlemen whose estmable qualities
not questioned have announced themselves mod
esty DESTROYS of following in the footsteps of Jones' Each
asprant has given limited publicity to his seffashioned
platform And there undoubtedly many equal
ly estnabe gentlemen who have not yet contemplated
emigration lest they be drafted for service at Washing
ton d. c..
To these individual developments there can be no valid
objection raised. 1t is unquestionably the right of
American citizen to himself for Office time he
discovers the opportunity. Whether the public wants
him or not is matter for the public to decide Every
man his Barks is the modern rule of politics.
But the fact must be overlooked that the peo-
pie bear the responsibility of selecting legislators and
must also bear the burden of they make exercs
ing this right Spokane has more than the usual
Der of pressing for choosing wisely fortunate
selection permanent representation that will confer
honor the whole state well this particular dis
itrict The presence of able in Washington from
this city gives prestige to be derived from other
source. The effect in inverse proportion would be as
striking Better representative than poor from
this city. Tacoma is still afflicted with the burden of
Cushman and Seattle must stand sponsor for Humphrey
None of this is applied to the candidates in the
field. But they should be, subject to the of
whether any one of them is the demanded by the
public Under the direct primary law this test be
fairly made if the public is interested enough signify
Its choice. The that goes to Washington from this
section ought to bear with him the confidence and pride
of the district far is possible for individual
deserve such confidence His advent into the contest
should follow nsisen demand for his services and his
platform should offer something substantial than
COLLECTION OF proposals that to meet popular favor
The anna gamaon Of the reasonable needs and desires
OF the district he represents should dominate his mission
In congress coupled with intelligent grasp of the ma
tons need as whole And his in congress and
at home will be measured up to his sympathy with and
interests in the welfare of the public people and not
mass of beings engaged in hand to hand struggle
for livelihood
To insure the right of representation it is high
time for the public to go still hunt for the man who
will fill the office it should be filled and to find him.
otherwise, the choice will lie somewhere among agere
CATION OF self candidates. any of whom may be
able enough, and yet none really desirable,
of IL D.