Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1914-09-10

Virginia's represe ntatives in Congress
were all present except one when the
resolution revoking leaves Of absence
and directing the Sergeant at Arms to
enforce the law deducting the pay of a
member for such time as he is absent
from the sessions of Congress was
adopted by the House. The one shin
ing example of absepteeism in the
West Virginia delegation is James A.
Hughes. representing the Fifth District
who came scurrying back to Washing
ton as soon as he was informed that
his pay would cease il he remained
away. The salary of Congressman is
81. 500 year or more than $50 a day
for every day Of the year, including
Sundays, The docking" of Cong
ressman at the rate of more than. $50
day makes it an expensive luxury to
stay at home, and Mr.. Hughes is not
indulging in that kind of Injuries just
now Il was not necessary to threaten
Congressman Nicely and Brown with
deductions from their salaries in order
to get them to Washington. They have
been here steadily and are still here,
their attendance being because it is re-
garded as their duty to be here and not
because of any threat of the loss of
salary for being absent.
George E. White and George M.
Bowers, Republican nominees for Con-
gressmen in the first and second dis
tricts have fled with the clerk of the
House their sworn statements as to
their expenditures in their campaigns
for nomination. Mr.. White states un-
der oath that he expended $189 in his
campaign for nomination. George M.
Bowers reports that his campaign cost
him SIS. Harvey Harmer, Progressive
candidate for the first district, states
that he spent nothing. C. w. Brandon
who opposed w. G. Brown. states that
he expended $175. Tracy L. .Jeffords.
candidate for the Republican nomi-
nation in the second district. reports an
expenditure Of $270 and j. W.. Hart
man, another candidate for the same
nomination, reports having spent $57.
Noah G Kein, who received the Pro-
gressive nomination. reports an expen-
diture of $50 IS, but. he makes no re-
port on his expenses as candidate for
the Republican nomination, which he
also sought. Charles ] Schuck, Pro.
gressive candidate for Congressman at
Lerge, incurred no expense, according
to his statement. Like the reports Of
Howard Sutherland and Thomas E.
Hodges. Republican ana Democratic
candidates for Congressman at Large
respectively. Mr. Schnck filed 4li1is re-
port after the time prescribed by law,
and the three candidates are in the
same situation in that regard.
+ While the bill authorizing govern
ment loans on cotton certificates was
under consideration in the Houss. SEN
ator Chiffon attempted to haye an
amendment adopted authorizing loans
on certificates Of oil, apples and pea
ches, in manner similar to those on
cotton certificates. He was out-voted
and his amendment was not incorporat-
ed in the bill.
When C. W. Brandon, who sought
the Democratic nomination for Con-
gresham from the Second District.
over W. G. Brown. challenged Mr..
Brown to q series of joint debates in
the district. Mr.. Brown replied that
he had been selected by the people of
the Second District as their represent
tative in Congress and that his duties
were in Washington while Congress is !
in session. He has stuck to his post
and is in almost constant attendance m
Washington. Evidently the people of
his district appreciated his devotion to
duty and his placing duty above per-
sonal interest when it came to fight
for nomination. Now he is in contest
with George NJ. Bowers and Noah G.
Keim for the election. Mr.. Brown is
sticking to his duties here regardless
of the campaign. He will be found on
the job as long as he is holding the
job, and his attention to duty here now
is ample evidence that if reelected he
will still be attentive to his duties and
earnest in his efforts to grant every
wish of a constituent in regard to pub
lie matters.