Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-10-20
ANOTHER TERN
FOR SWANSON.

It has been apparent for some time
that Senator Swanson will have no
opponent for the position he is filling
SO satisfactorily. In which event the
formality of a primary will be I'M
necessary, he being declared the
nominee of his party by the State
Central committee. A Democratic
nomination for Office in this State is
tantamount to election. This means
that Mr.. Swanson will be recon-
missioned by the State Of Virginia
to serve another six year term, begin
ming March 18th next and continuing
until 1929.
The Danville Register says:
We are gratified at this recognition
Of the valuable services of Senator
Swanson to his State, not merely be-
cause we believe he merits the honor
and is qualified to render valuable
legislative service, but because the
retention in office of such an expert
enced man will tend to strengthen and
increase Yirginia's influence in the
corlcils of the nation 1t is due pri-
marily to the fact that the Virginia
congressional districts and the State
at large have retained their repre-
sentatiVes and senators in the public
service that these officials have at
tanned their commanding influence ir
the two bodies The representative or
, the senator, granting his ability, is
advanced in his committee assign
ments by continuous service until in a
few years he attains the position of
ranking member or even chairman O.
some important committee.
Mr.. Swanson is now chairman OF
the Committee on Public Buildings
ard Grounds, ranks third on naval At
fairs. third on Postofflces and Post
roads. third on Education and Labor
and sixth on Foreign Relations. The
retirement of other senators by fail
ure of reelection will doubtless mean
his advancement in rank on several Of
these committees. IA new senator
it would take him several years to at
tain position of real influence anC
value on Important committees, in
which most of the really momcntous
legislation is practically adopted. Il
is due to seniority of service in a
large measure that Virginia has sucl;
influence in Congress now. Mr.. Hay
is the chairman of the Military At
fairs committee of the House; Mr..
Glass Of the Currency and Banking
committee; Mr.. Jones o fthe Commit
tee on Insular Affairs, M. Flood is
the ranking member Of the Foreign
Affairs committee, while Messrs.
Saunders, Carlin, Holland and Wat
son rank high on several important
committees. In a word, Virginians
are advisers to the administration
and influential men in shaping the
important Legislation to come before
Congress.
But aside from the mere matter of
seniority, Mr.. Swanson's long lcgisla-
tive experience in the House prior &c
his elevation to the Senate makes his
|. lllN dlIIStIiSiI ChCH SulCI -OI llDi Z
than five years he has served in the
Senate, and prior to that time he hat;
been q member OF the House for four
teen years. giving him congressional
service Of more than twenty years be-
fore his present term expires. His re-
election for six years from March 4th
next will mean d service Of nearly
Twelve years in the Senate or of about
twcnty-six years in all, including his
fourteen years in the House. These
honors have been won on his merits
IN campaigns before the people. In
addition to ali this, he served four
years as governor of Virginia and was
enc Of the most progressive execu-
:!vcs the commonwealth ever had.
Certainly it would be to the distinct
, advantage of Virginia to retain its
junior senator in the service, and we
do not anticipate that any aspirant
VINO sought to displace him would be
successful.