The L'Anse sentinel., 1910-03-19
Attending 10 His Work in Washington.

Attend1n8 10 HIS work IN washington.
Some of Congressman Townsend's
friends have been worrying because of
his inability to be present at the vari-
GUS political banquets which have been
held in the state during the winter, be-
cause they felt that he was losing op-
portunities to strengthen his candidacy
for the United States senate. He has
been able to attend but two banquets,
those held at Jackson and Adrian, both
in the second Congressional District,
and had it not been that these engage
ments were made far in advance, he
would not have felt like leaving his
work in Washington even for them. He,
surely cannot be justly accused of try
ing to make votes by his attendance at
these places located in his own district.
While his friends have regretted that
he was not as free as Senator Burrows,
who seems to be able to get away at
any time and for any time without be-
ing missed, they cannot help but feel
there are compensations. They feel
that it is worth while to be represent
ative of the President on the floor of
the House, one of the leaders, man
of national reputation, and are willing
to forgo his active participation in the
campaign for the present. Senator
Burrows has attended many of the po-
litical gatherings of the state, absenting
himself from his duties at Washington
for the purpose. He has doubtless felt
perfectly secure, knowing that Michi-
gan in Senator Smiths absence on ac-
count of sickness was being represented
by Senator Aldrich of Rhode Island, to
whom Senator Burrows admittedly looks
for benefits to our commonwealth.
His spectacular trip to Washington on
announcement of William Alden's seri-
Gus illness, because he might be needed
in the Senate, ending as it did in mere
personal call at the Smith home and an
immediate return to Menominee to fix
up his political fences there, was certain
ly very funny. The party that
United States Senator Isaac Stephen
son of Wisconsin had arranged for him
there by providing a special train from
Escanaba and free meal tickets was
evidently too alluring to resist.
Of course, Congressman Townsend
might leave his work, and come home
to promote his own candidacy, but he
apparently intends to stand by the
Presidents bill, no matter what hap
pens. In this we think that he is doing
the right thing, because we believe
that in the long run fidelity to duty is
not forgotten. When a man is able
enough to be selected by the President
to take charge of an important piece
of legislative work and strong enough
to put aside his own personal ambitions
in order to do his full duty by that
work, he is bound to receive the COM
mendation and support of the people.
Mr.. Townsend could not be in Detroi
last Friday night for the banquet of
the Wayne County Republican Club,
and many of his friends were very
much disappointed. The disappoint-
ment vanished, however, on receipt
of the reassuring telegram:
"We are in critical stage of our
great bill. The fight is fierce and my
leaving means defeat. Tell my friends
to have patience, and l will report
satisfactorily.
Toastmaster DENLY voiced the senti-
ment of all Mr.. Townsend's friends
when he commended the Congressman
for so steadfastly giving his best efforts
to the great work of constructive leg
islation which he has in hand.