The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-12
WATSON PLEASED
WITH HIS CHANCES
NEW VIRGINIA CONGRESSMAN
LIKES THE OUTLOOK IN
WASHINGTON.
CHOICE OF COMMITTEE
PREFERS PLACE on PoSTOFFICE
AND PosTRoADs BoDY-~NEw
MEN IN HOUSE ABOVE
AVERAGE. HE THINKS.

Congressman Walter A. watson. Of
the Fourth district, who succeeds
CONGRESSMAN Turnbull in the house
az representatives, was in Richmond
last night on business,
Congressman Watson attended the
caucus Of the house Democrats he4d
last week in Washington, and was in
troduced to his colleagues as the
Judge who made such a favorable i'm
preston upon the whole country by
The manner in which he conducted
the famous Besttie trial in the fall
Of 1911. He was much pleased with
the harmony that prevailed in the
house caucus and noted contrast IN
the manner in which the new mem
bers In the house and senate felt to-
ward the old. The line Of cleavage
between conservatives and pro
gressives" In the senate. he thought,
had been exaggerated, but the DIFF
ference was even less noticeable in
Fine Body OF Men.
1T is a fine body OF men said
Congressman Watson. There are
one hundred and one of them, and 1t
is an intelligent looking lot. 1 be-
iieve they are above the average
He said that the new congressman
would be we'll taken care Of in the
way Of committee assignments, forty
new places being made for them by
the agreement which prohibits a
member on one of twelve important
committees from serving on any
other committee. Seniority rule viii
he observed to a great extent. but not
as a fetish. The older members will
get their positions on one of these
twelve committees and on them also
forty Of the new members will get
place lie Is well pleased with the
outlook for good assignment for
himself. although, OF course, he knows
nothing as yet His first choice is for
8 place On the committee on post
offices and postroads, and his second
for the committee on agriculture.
Il prefer the first of these because
] am deeply Interested in the better
ment of postoflce facilities in my dis
triCt and especially in securing more
mileage Of free delivery routes he
said The Fourth district is not as
well cared for ia this respect as some
of the others of the State.
The two committees or which Con-
gresham Watson spoke are included
in the twelve most important ones
and should he secure a place on one
Of them he could not, under the agree
ment be on any other committee. The
new members of the house have not
done quite as much talking as those
III tfF senate. out the compromise
agreed upon gives them opportunity
for just as many good assignments as
the slightly more militant young
sters'' In the senate will get
Turnbuli at Home.
Congressman TurnbuT who was
succeeded by Judge Watson. left
Washington ON the night of the inau-
guration, having remained over To
see woodrow Wilson indicted into Of
fee and his duties In the house fin
ished he had no reason for tarr3ine
fri the national capital lie will re-
sumo his law practice in Brunswick
county. il is understood.
Congressman Lamb, the only other
'lame duck from Virginia. who was
succeeded by A. j Montague, is
spoken of for the position OF assist
ant secretary Of agriculture, Con-
gresham Lamb was on the house
committee on agriculture for years
and when he retired was it's chairman
on the ground Of his experience and
knowledge Of the subject his friends
are pushing him for the place Of as
Fistant secretary of the department Of
agriculture, presided over by Score
tary Houston.
Congressman Watson said last might
that he viii return to Washington
shortly I'VE left with the under
standing that We would return whef
needed for participation in the eau
Gus" he said