The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-05-28
CONGRESSMAN AIkEN'S
FAITHFUL SERVICE
Reply OF Abbeville Press and Banner
to Anderson Intelligencer-Mr.
Aiken's Record.
Abbeville Press and Banner.

Abbeville Press and Banner.
In a recent editorial. the Anderson
Intelligencer does injustice to the
Hon. Wyatt Aiken. That paper seems
to be of the opinion that a mans in
huence in congress may be measured
by committee chairmanships.
In the first place, the awarding OF
chairmanships is by a committee OF
the house and is almost invariably by
seniority. When the Democratic house
was reorganized, Mr.. Aiken was rank
ing man on the District of Columbia
committee and second man On the
pension committee. These are Of the
most important committees Of the
house, and especially is this true OF
the District committee, which governs
the District of Columbia and has the
disbursement of millions of dollars.
The Craftsmanship of this, one OF
the most important house committees,
was Mr.. Aiken's by right and was con-
ceded to him by the appointing COM
mittee. Hon. Ben Johnson, a repre-
sentative from Kentucky, then a
doubtful State, ranked next to him.
Mr.. Johnson was exceedingly anxious
for the chairmanship to help out his
candidacy, and incidentally the Demo-
cratic party in Kentucky. He men
toned this fact to several of his
friends, and they in turn to Mr.. Aiken.
Mr.. Aiken went to Mr.. Johnson and
assured him that on account Of their
pleasant relations and as a service to
Democracy in Kentucky, he would
temporarily surrender his rights.
This is a fact that every member Of
the ways and means committee, the
committee that makes up the several
house committees, is familiar with and
will certify to.
Whatever estimate the public may
put on chairmanships, they are help
full for advertising and boosting the
individual holding the job, rather than
for any substantial advantage that
they give him over the other mem
bers of the committee. Surely the
man who would sacrifice self interest
for loyal friend and for his party in
a doubtful State deserves praise rath-
er than criticism.
It is true that there is another Sc
rious objection to serving as chair
man of the District of Columbia CON-
mittee In this position a man has to
serve two constituencies: the people
of Washington and his people at
home. 1t is doubtful if a man can
faithfully serve his home constituents
and faithfully discharge his duty as
District chairman. Mr.. Aiken felt that
not only his best service but his un-
divided service was due to his people
at home, hence he more willingly gave
I'D his right to the District chairman
ship. When he is returned to con-
gress and there is Democratic house,
which seems more than likely, he will
again have to accept or refuse the
craftsmanship of the District commit
tee.
Some of the ablest men who have
ever gone to congress from this State
have served as chairman of that CON-
mittee, and the Republican campaign
manager held the place for many
years, thinking it a marked distinc-
ton
The Intelligencer directly or indi-
rectIy states that Mr.. Aiken does not
deliver his speeches on the floor Of
congress, but asks leave to print. If
the editor of the Intelligencer will
glance over any Of his recent speeches,
that are available, he will see from the
nature of colloquies and Interruptions
directed tc him during his speech, that
he has not indulged the leave to print
habit except On proper occasion. He
asked leave to print the Zach McGhee
letters written on the tariff from Eng
land, because they were too long and
too numerous to be read. But they
were thought to be of such value as
party literature as to be given a place
in the Democratic campaign hand
book, and were read by hundreds Of
thousands of Northern voters.
On two separate occasions, Mr.. Ak
ems tariff speeches have been select
ed by a congressional committee from
the hundreds delivered on this subject,