Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-09-01
CONG. T. A.
MORSE A DIS
APPO|NTM MENT
His Speech a Feeble Etfort---
He Stands for Nothing and
Therefor is Nothing.
Editor of Reporter

Editor OF Reporter:-
Mr.. Morse has come, made his
little speech and departed. l went
to the Opera House last evening ex-
pecting to hear him give an account
of his stewardship, what he had done
and what he was going to do. All l
heard as to what he had done was
that he had voted two or three times
with the Democrats. All | heard him
say as to what he was going to do
if reelected was that he would not
go into a Republican caucus for the
purpose of assisting and nominating
some man for Speaker of the House.
In this promise as to what he would
not do he seems to lose sight Of
the fact entirely that he is seeking re
election as Republican and that by
going into a Republican caucus of the
members elected to the House Of Re
presentativeS he by his vote might
secure the defeat of the reelection
of Mr.. Cannon to the Speakershlp.
But no matter how important his
vote might be or how much it might
count he said with much force and
vim that he would not go into the
Republican caucus. He did not say,
however, that he would not go into
the Democratic caucus, where eyeidel
ly he really belongs.
l went expecting to hear him give
some reason why he ought to be re-
turned to Congress for the third term
but not one reason was given.
Mr.. Morse has now been a mem
Der of Congress since March 1907,
nearly two full terms, and from his
speech last evening is unable to tell
of one thing that he has done for
this Tenth Congressional District
for the State of Wisconsin or for the
Nation. That he is a nonentity in
Congress must be evident to anyone
who has met him or hearl him speak
He did not say one word favorable
to the administration of President
Taft. He clearly is not in harmony
with the Republican, administration
and necessarily cannot hope to ac-
comp1ish. anything. He has not suf-
ficient force or ability to more than
buzz around on the outskirts. He
has not the ability or force to Lead.
He necessarily is simply a follower,
nothing more and nothing less.
l, think it we'll, where a member Of
Congress shows ability sufficient to
accomplish something, a member who
can do things for his District, his
State, and his Nation; a man who has
some Independent ideas and the pow
er to make others see the right and
do things-ir other words a leader.
TO keep such a man as a Representa-
tive in Congress for a number of
terms. But where the man is as weak
a sister as Mr.. Morse lis, it strikes
ME that the District looses nothing
by making a change and in fact it
ought to make a. change and see if
some more forceable character can
not be placed in his seat.
In a body of nearly 400, rules of
procedure and numerous committees
are necessary to accomplish anything
in the line of legislation. A Repub-
lican member of the House of Repre-
sentatives, if the majority is Re-
publican, can accomplish something
for his District and the whole coun-
try if he has the ability and stand
ing to get onto important commit
tees. Mr. Morse by saying that he
will not go into or become part OF
a Republican caucus places himself
outside the wall and will not be in
position, even if he had the force and
ability, to do anything more than vote
and kick
He truly belongs in the Democratic
camp or, better still-at home. Fail
ure for two terms ought to be e.
nough. The honor is wasted on him
so far as his constituents are con-
cerned.
Mr.. Hambrecht is no more in favor
of the reelection of Mr.. Cannon for
Speaker than is Mr.. Morse, but Mr..
Hambrecht is a Republican who be-
lieves in progressviRe epulbican prin-
ciples and the right of majority in
any party to say what shall be done,
and how and by what agencies it
shall be done, His membership of
three other important legislative
committees, although new member,
in the last State Legislature, shows
that he ranks high as a legislator
I'M his own state and it is warranty
that his standing in the National
House of Representative would in
a short time be something for us all
to be proud of.
A VOTER.