The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1916-08-04

up with the Congressional Rec
ord and is handy with fig
hres and statistics. This is an old
game. 1t has been played Fifty years
by incumbents of both parties who
have opposition for reelection. and it
will be played for one hundred years
to one s.
The wise and patriotic statesman
who founded this government gave
long and careful consideration to the
question of tenure of office in the
convention that framed the constitu-
ton. 1t was discussed in every phase
and from every standpoint. They f.
nally and emphatically decided in IA
vor of short terms in Office Hence
they fixed the Presidential term at
four years, the Senatorial term at six
years, and the Congressional term at
two years. When a representative
has been five consecutive terms in
Congress, he has held Office longer
than any President Of the United
States ever did. Jefferson said: "A
representative government, response
BILE at Short Intervals Of Election
produces the greatest sun of happi-
ness to mankind"
Senator George, who was the great
est mar the South has produced in
fifty years, once told me that NO mat
ter how honest and patriotic a repre-
sentative or senator might be when
he first went to Washington, if he
stayed too long in the atmosphere of
the National Capitol, he would insen-
sibly, and without any intention on
his part, gardually lose that close and
intimate touch with the people at
home that should always exist be-
tween the representative and his con
s~tituents.
Between the present incumbent
and myself there has v been the
slightest personal friction. He lived
in my home for quite awhile and /
did all / could to promote his earlier
political aspirations; but I have seen
him change so often, and, sometimes,
so rapidly, that l havenot been able to
harmonize disseminating attitudes.
He speaks very vigorously in his
campaign circular about what the
country had lost by the failure to
pass the original Ship Purchase
Bill. He told me, in my house, while
the bill vas pending, that it was the
widest scheme eve presented to Con-
gress, and would not do at ALL" The
next time l heard from him he had
voted for it, and then l heard the
voice from Patmos, saying: II
know thy works, because thou art
neither cold MOI hot" l saw him
running for Governor without a
platform, announcing that "Plat-
forms were made to get in on and
not to stand on" A few months
later l saw him making the race
for Congress squarely, openly and
positively on Senator Vardaman's
platform. l saw him refuseto sup
port Senator Vardaman on a plat
form involving the race problem;
a little later when it had benn DEM
onstrated that Vardaman had a
large majority in the Fourth District
l saw him distributing his cards all
over the district carrying the start
ling declaration: 81 stand for the
repeal of the 18th Amendment and
the modification of the 14th. Do
your" Then again the. solemn and
ominous voice from Patmos came
sounding down the grooves Of the
centuries: Because thou art
neither cold nor hot l will spew thee
out OF my mouth"
l saw him turn against his law
partner, his best friend and his
benefactor, and strike him down
because he saw an opportunity to
ride into Office over the fall of the
man who had befriended and aided
him when he most needed help. l
supported Mr.. Hill because / feared
that rank ingratitude to a faithful
and generous friend might be an
index Of infidelity to a public trust
if self-interest should intervene. 1t
is fair, however, to say that this
was not my only reason, for sup
Mr.. Hill. Although he and
l belonged to opposing political
factions, l have voted for him every
time he has been a candidate for
anything, because l had confidence
in his ability and integrity, and
never knew him to show ingrati-
tude or betray a friend.
In stating these facts l am SIM
ply adhering to my old habit for
the past six decades of speaking
plainly. Being eighty-two years
old, ! may never witness another
political campaign. l wish to show
to the people of Mississippi, who
have been so kind to me, that my
opposition to the present incumbent
is neither captious nor entirely