The Washington herald., 1913-11-21

Fassett and John Dwight, both now resi-
dents Of the same district, would not be
candidates before he made formal an
nouncement Of his ambition.
He has devoted friend and admirer
In Washington, Gus Schuldt. the assist
ant corporation counsel in the Juvenile
Court, and Schuldt is hopeful Of seeing
his old Washington friend come back as
a statesman, after five years absence.
What wonder a Congressman from the
vast areas OF Texas, or of Oklahoma,
Oregon, or Washington sighs some when
he looks upon the map of a city members s
district and compares with 100000 acres
or more making up his own district in
the West and South. The Sixteenth Dis
trict OF Texas. represented by William
K Smith, comprises fifty-seven counties,
with population of nearly 10000.
The Smith district is equal In area to
New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and
the eastern half of Pennsylvania, and II
keeps a candidate moving some even II
much OF 1t Is devoted to cattle grazing as
well as the raising OF Democrats. Smith
has been moving over the fifty-seven
varieties Of counties for six terms, and is
proud OF the fact that he has the largest
district and the least distress on election
OF anybody In the Lone Star delegation.
In contrast to the boundless sweep of
the Smith district, look upon the compact
little pocket borough SO ably and long
represented by James Francis Burke, Of
Pittsburgh. Somehow you hardly think
OF Pittsburgh having a dense population
like the downtown tenement region Of
New York, yet the Burke district is made
up of a dozen city wards, with over 20o, 900
population and a wonderfully regular Re-
publican majority, especially when
James Francis is on the ticket or lending
his eloquence to any other campaign. No
one New York City district Is any more
compact or crowded with composite citi-
zenship than the Burke district of West
ern Pennsylvania, but his agility and
activity would probably achieve as much
IL he were located in the fifty-seven va
rieties district OF his Democratic friend
Smith.
Because OF the Burke grip on things
at home and prominence at the Washing
ton end the wonder is that he has not
reached out for higher honors. but possi
bly, he recalls the fate of others who were
too eager for advancement and fell by
the wayside.
'Fithian. Fithian? That name seems
familiar" ruminated the all-wise ready
reference political authority ever watch
full at the Willard as he looked over the
guest book. "Oh, yes; George W.
F;thian, from the Willow Hill region of
Illinois. once n Democratic member OF
Congress in the days when the Sucker
State did not have such an excess of
Democrats in the House as now" and
with these few remarks there was quick
a1 ~ h. EEfhfan 70 Wash
ington. He did not recognize many old
friends in the House about the hotel lob
bies. His third term ended eighteen
years ago last March. and many things
happen to Congressional delegations in
that period OF time. When Fithian first
came to Congress in 1889 Tom Reed was
Speaker, and the Republicans rejoicing
over the Harrison victory OF 1883. Cullom
and Farwell were Senators from Illinois.
Cullom is now out and Farwell is dead.
Not one member of the House delegation
that greeted Fithian is now in Congress
and many are dead
Two members-Mason and Hopkins
have since served a term each in the
Senate Uncle Joe Cannon later became
Speaker, and fell down in last years
campaign. hoping a return next year.
r. R. Hit died n few years ago. as did
William NJ. Springer
Frank Lawler. labor leader with
Democratic tendencies. was a member
from Chicago. Scott Wike was beginning
a second term after twelve years ab-
sence. Later he was Assistant Secretary
OF the Treasury under Cleveland's second
administration. and died in 1901.
Verify. Fithian from Willow Hill can
ruminate on many changes since he came
to Washington twenty-four years ago,
but the word passes that he may be
favored by the present administration and
cease lament