The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-10-14
PLAYING LOSING CAME.

Frequent Changes In Our Representa-
tIves In Congress One Reason the
South Does Not Take More Prom
iuent Part In Notional Affairs-A
Condition to be Depiored.
Correspondence News and Observer.
To the Editor: Why is it that we,
as a people in the South, do not use
the same good Judgment in our po-
litical affairs that we do in other
circles of life? Frequent changes in
our Congressman and State repre-
sentatives are to be deplored. To be
q Congressman, such as the people
need, means much. His work is diff
cult, requiring wisdom, tact, intelli-
gence, experience, grit and good CON-
mon sense. We have no school spe-
cially set apart to fit men for such
places, and if we did there is no as
surance that they would be elected.
However, if he is to be efficient and
really represent the people he must
be familiar with these things and be
able at moments notice to weigh
the merits Of a proposition that may
be sprung upon him unexpectedly.
The only way in which he can get
this knowledge is by actualexperience
as member of that body; this takes
from two to four years. There must
be beginning, but no community,
if they have stopped to think at all,
wants continually to be represented
by a beginner. The new man, be he
ever so Intelligent, labors at a great
disadvantages; the place is new, the
work is new, his fellow Congressman
are strangers, some OF whom hal
from that part of our country whose
interests are the opposite to those he
represents, he must measure dollars
by the millions, and learn that he is
face to face with world problems. A
new man cannot find a public docu
ment without a guide.
The most important work OF Con
gress is done in the committee room
The speaker, regardless or party, is
elected from the ranks of those who
have been in office for long term o
years. In appointing committees the
Speaker naturally does not give the
most important places to the new
and untried but to those OF expert
ence, whose ability is recognized by
the assembly and the nation as well
New England and the Middle West
find efficient men and keep them there
regardless of the lumber of terms O
service Such men are always heard
when they speak, and to large ex
tent they shape the policy of ou'
government.
A sober thought will at once re
veal the disadvantage OF q new man
A number of our strong men who
have established a good record, ant
shown themselves to be men of abil
ity, and are beginning to be recog
nized as such by the nation, hav'
been lost to the government by th'
popular delusion of rotation 10 OF
fice." It begins to be Whispered
abroad that someone else ought tt
share the honors and draw the salar,
for q few years; the unsuspecting peo
pie are caught with this false philoso
ply, the result is the efficient man
asked to step aside and give place t.
another new man; this means a los
of another term or two SO far as Sci
vice to the people is concerned, Will
the new man is learning his work
How Hnbusiness likel
/ am not concerned about who get
| the salary, or who wears the honors
what | want is the man in our natio
and legislative assembly who ca
honorably represent our country an
be the greatest benefit TO his constit
uents. Suppose our railroads wer
to dismiss their conductors, engineer
and train dispatchers, men OF exper
ence, efficient men, and employ a 10
of new men in their places simply bt
cause they applied and just for tn
sake of dividing honors and salary
what would be the result? Wreck
everywhere. Our churches in thei
conferences and conventions neye
put unframed men i'm important pc
sitions unless there are no other
available. The same is true oil ou
fraternities and our institutions {
learning. The idea of rotation j
office" is a popular delusion tina
helps no one except the new man t
the amount OF salary and a few year,
experience at the expense OF the pull
lie. A seat in Congress is more tha
q pension for the man who occupie
it. If he Is to be a mere pensioner
is hest to leave him at home. Wha
need / care who represents US in Coz
igress SO long as be is an honest mai
capable, intelligent, a consecrate
Christian gentleman who does b
> best in the discharge OF his arduot
task. We need good roads. OIL
: swamp lands drained, proposition
too much for our local governmen
public buildings, better mail faciliti
for the rural sections, the farme
who is the country's burden beare
needs q higher consideration. / q
2 for the man who can give these thing
care not whether be has served fl
: or twenty terms in Congress- II
man has had q fair trial and fouI
inefficient let him stay at home al
t send some one in his place, but let
be sensible and stop this continu
stream OF new men, which mea
loss to the country.