Imperial Valley press., 1912-05-13
yvyANTED-A CONGRESSMAN

w There are not many persons
who heard the speech of S. c. Evans
Saturday evening but Will agree with
the Press in saying this district must
not make the mistake of sending him
to congress.
The Eleventh congressional district
is one of the most enlightened sec
tions of the United States, Containing
such centers of culture as Riverside,
Redlands, Ontario, San Bernardino,
Santa Ana San Diego and Imperial
valley If there is any region that
ought to be able to provide repre-
sentative in congress of statesman
like attainments this district should.
And vet here came man seeking the
high honor of representing this dis
trict whose effort did not in any sense
rise above the average of a cross
roads debate, and which was not only
wholly lacking in merit, but had the
distinct demerit of the admission that
the speaker had been brought into
the campaign as the representative of
the citrus fruit industry.
But purporting to be the spokesman
for the citrus fruit industry, the cam
didate for congress devoted his time
to telling of commission form OF gov
eminent for cities and the excellent
public library of Madison, Wis, and
gave no attention whatever TO the big
national issues. to show his ability 10
meet them or his personal attitude to-
ward them.
He convinced his hearers that he
is a kindly gentleman and a good
neighbor, but did not give the slight
est indication of his fitness to sit in
congress.
II is with extreme regret this is
said. Mr. Evans is a gentleman of
clean and pleasing personality and of
excellent intentions. but there are
hundred thousand other men in this
congressional district of whom that
could be said, and when one studies
the situation and the man, il is difficult
to find any reason why Mr.. Evans
should be chosen for congressman,
other than the fact that he is about
the richest one of the hundred thous-
and.
The fact that he says he wishes TO
go TO congress as the special repre-
sentative of the citrus fruit industry
is, in itself, a splendid reason why he
should not go. for the day for special
legislation and industrial representa-
ton has gone by. If the citrus fruit in
dustry is to select a congressman we
cannot criticise congressional or sena-
torial representatives of railroads,
smelter trusts, steamship lines or any
other industry. If it is right TO send
Mr. Evans to congress 10 represent
oranges and lemons. il is right TO send
a senator TO represent the greatest in
dustrial organization in the State-the
Southern Pacific railroad.
But neither of these is right. The
time has come to find man to repre-
sent this district who will recognize
the fact that he goes TO Washington
as the representative of the manhood
and womanhood of his district and not
of the dollars invested in any industry.
Incidentally TO this, he must speak
for the great San Diego harbor, for the
control of the Colorado river. for the
protection of the. citrus fruit industry
and for all the industrial activities
of his people: for the cotton picking.
and for the railroad owners and the
bankers, but for the foundation of his
whole procedure must be the welfare
and happiness of the people as
whole.
Recalling the congressman that have
represented southern California for
many years. and 10 which Riverside
has contributed, the fact is recognized
that intellectual mediocrity or stupid
ty has been in the majority Of cases
the chief characteristic. Yet one cam
not throw off the conviction THAI the
congressman from this districf should
be a man of talent and of force. and
regredully as it must be said. Mr.
Evans does not measure up to the re-
quirements.