Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-10-18
LEWIS AND WAGAMAN.

In our last issue there were presented, in
separate articles, striking contrasts, the
one news item, giving an account of the
mass meeting which greeted the Hon. David
j. Lewis, member Of Congress for this Con-
gressional District and the other an arti-
Gle Of correspondent. portraying the plight
and attitude Of Hon. Charles H. Wagaman.
the other candidate for Congress.
For years the people Of this District had
suffered in vain for representative in
Congress Of a character meeting the needs
and measuring up to the standards of the
sturdy frugal, progressive and patriotic
citizenship of the five counties composing
the Sixth Congressional District of Mary
land until the fall Of 1910, when the peo-
pie arose in their might. largely disregard
ing their prior political affiliations, and
elected Mr.. Lewis to Congress
At the end of sixteen short months ser
vice. with an eye single to the interests Of
the people, Mr. Lewis has won for himself,
and to the credit of his constituency,
nationwide reputation, not for political
shrewdness or for partisan statecraft, or
even oratory. but for useful. courageous
service, to the whole people. in real con-
structive craftsmanship.
Congressman Lever. one of the most
handwriting and useful men in Congress,
came here from South Carolina and, while
admitting that Mr.. Lewis is poor politi-
clan" testified to his service and urged the
Importance to the whole nation Of his re-
turn to Congress to carry on the work in
which he had proven himself to be an ex-
pert. This was in direct accord with the
remarkable tribute paid by Mr.. Norris,
Republican Congressman from Nebraska,
when he arose in his seat and urged the
Speaker Of the House to set aside precedent
to the extent of choosing among the House |
members Of the Parcels Post Commission |
one appointee not a member Of the Com
mittee on Postoffices and Post Roads in
the person of Mr.. Lewis. because of the
undeniable fact that Mr.. Lewis was better
qualified for this service than any other
man in Congress. either the Senate or
House.
From this let us turn to the other picture
SO graphically described in the article en-
titled "Wagaman Wabbly," accurately por-
traying the very type Of "gum-shoe" poll
tician, the baleful effects Of whose choice
to public Office accounts more than any
thing else for the political revolution in the
throes Of which this country is now suf-
fering.
Starting out for Mr. Taft, Mr.. Wagaman
suddenly shifted. in the primaries. to Mr..
Roosevelt. Since then, although each of
these leaders is heading separate party
whose platform is Numerically opposed
to that OF the other, except on the Repub-
lican tariff and friendliness to the trusts,
Mr.. Waeaman steadfastly refuses to define |
his individual position.
This is no time or place for "gum-shoe" |
politics, with its game Of hide and seek"
This is period for constructive statesman
ship; and if Mr.. Waeaman cannot let the
constituency know what to expect by way
Of devoted. consistent service, he should
not ask the people Of this District to re-
pudiate true and tried public servant for
the mere qualification Of his personal am
bition for public Office. with its emoluments.
What the people want and need today is |
not shrewd politicians, but men Of courage, |
industry and principle, equipped for devoted
public service.