Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1909-07-01

Though the contest for Congression-
al honors in this District, composed of
Centre, Clearfield, Cameron and Nc
Kean counties, is yet nearly year dis
tant, says the Bellefonte Keystone
Gazette, the subject in some parts
has already become matter of vital
consideration; and the agitation seems
to have centered in Clearfeld county
in fact has practically narrowed down
to the town of DuBois-where we
understand three candidates reside
who are trimming their sails for the
contest, and who expect to enter the
fight to win the nomination.
In our opinion the Office OF Congress
man has been much misunderstood in
this district. II has been treated as q
compliment to the candidates, and is
distributed according to the claims of
the different localities represented in
the district, with the result that
change is made every four years, and
thoroughly Initiated in the workings Of
the body and rendered CAPABLE of per
forming the functions of the office and
be of service to the people, he was re-
tired by force Of custom to make room
for another, who by virtue Of his loca-
tion or ability, was set in his place to
begin anew to learn the retinue of the
office, again to be retired by custom
Just about the time when his fitness for
the Office was made manifest by what
he was able to accomplish.
In our mind this is a great mistake.
In other districts where members in
Congress have been allowed to success
themselves, the people enjoy the in
influence Of their representative in the
Lower House by virtue Of their ac-
cummulated strength, and as a result,
they get what they want. They recog-
nize the fact that corporations and
business firms who enjoy able manage
ment would be loath to change heads
every four years. In fact it would be
case. They cry against the third term
in Congress, where new members are
practically helpless until they have
time to prove their practicability and
develop their strength, is fallacy.
In this connection the Gazette would
ask for consideration the candidacy
of Captain Charles F. Barclay, of Cam
eron county, to succeed himself, who
as every one must admit, has develop
ed unexpected and unusual strength
during his incumbency in the office.
We are free to declare and challenge
contradiction in the statement that he
has done more for his constituents than
any other man who has ever represent
ed Centre county, irrespective Of the
counties which composed the district
heretofore. He is not wind jammer
one who delights to hear himself
talk to the disgust of bis colleagues
and the weakening of his own infiu-
ence, but quiet, earnest, active, lnde-
fatigable worker,-one who recognizes
the full responsibility of his office and
who is incorruptible in its perform
ance.
The fact is becoming recognized more
and more every day that the office OF
Congressman is losing investment
when considered in a financial sense,
and thatit is not the place for an honest
man who has not competency ahead
sufficient to make up the looses sus-
tanned without experiencing embar-
rassment. And there is not man in
the district who is so agreeably gifted
with all the elements that make a good
representative as is Captain Barclay
His tremendous business energy, back
up by good horse sense, and which
coupled with his long experience with
the working man as an employer o1
labor, has given him an inside know.
ledge of their wants which few ner
possess, while his acquaintance in early
life with the "plain and simple annals
of tho poor' makes him appreciate the
rights of all, and no erlinence to which
he may attain will render bim imper.