The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-30

expressed a determination not to serve because they, all old politicians, had scented danger ahead. The bugaboo was the pending parcel post bill-and al that time everybody believed that while the parcel post idea was right and cor rect, that the man who attempted to put it into effect, was doomed to an early political grave. The democratic leader, however possessed of an exceed ingly Hong head" saw deeper into the future than many others, and advised MT Blacl1mon to accept the position. MT Blackmon agreed to accept. And then his friends-for already he had made friends advised him to change his mind. Tom Sisson of Mississippi, swore that he was about to commit political suicide For the railroads, the express companies. the merchants. and shippers generally, uncer- tain of the effect of the prospective legislation, were preparing to prevent its passage.
 But Mr. Blackmon accepted and in due time was installed. And then his friends from home wrote bulky letters protesting against the bill. Merchants declared that the measure would ruin them. Politicians whispered that the passage of the bill would alienate all the young member S constituents. But the young member sat still in the boat. Eventually the bill was reported and enacted into law. After it's first months operation everybody breathed not only sigh of relief, but of satisfaction. The effect of the bill transcended the irridescent dream of it's father. The country stood up to man and applauded-for neither merchant, nor railroad, nor express company was done an injury, and the people, from many standpoints were immeasurably bene- fitted.
 And then the older members, perceiv- ing the rift in the lutes, clamored for their rights. They wanted to ge, back their seats on the postoffice com- mittee. But the leader of the party, fa- miliar with the situation in it's every de- tail cried, "Nayr' So the others retained their places, and in the near future, one of them, MT. Blackmon, will reach the top and become chairman of this most
 important committee.
 That was the first epochal experience of MT. Blackmon as representative 1n the Congress of the United States. There after he was regarded in the light of a man who would face 'the music''--how- ever inharmonious-if it was necessary in the defense of a principle, so to do Everybody knew that Blackmon unlike many other new members, was far re moved from the iniquitous opportunist or the spineless individual, who. through expediency, or selfish motives, would fal dOWn and WOrShlp any cal1 III return IOl the marrowless favor the calf, in the moment of it's power might bestow
 As a result he made friends. Ere quently he stood with a majority of tho members arrayed against him. Frequent, it happened that despite a gallant de fense, the opposition rode rough-shot over his standard. But he never arose from the dust with an apology for his defense and in subsequent days he nevel l r... 1 xH..I |. Al. And as consequence those who stood with him admired his pluck and courage and those against him admired his fint spirit in the face of defeat.
 Therefore there is reason why the ma jority of the members of Congress ar, happy over the reassuring news coming from the Fourth district For democ racy is again preparing to break the nose of the carpetbagger and to return for at least another term in Congress the most popular member thereof, Fret Blackmon.