The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-08-09
Card fromHon.
Wyatt Aiken
Political ADVERTISEMENT

Political ADVERTISEMENT
To the Voters of the Third District:
For several weeks I have been
wanting to leave Washington and 60
home to take part in the campaign,
but so far it has just been impossible
for me to get away. This session of
Congress is nearing its close. The
House has about completed its pro-
gramme, but the Senate is far behind
with its work. A number of import
ant bills are in conference between
the two Houses, and other import
ant bills are yet to pass the Senate.
They will be amended and come to
conference. The Democrats have a
majority of only some % in the
House, and if very many of them 60
away some of the important bills may
be emasculated or defeated entirely.
The leaders of Congress are con-
stantly urging the Democratic men,
bers to remain here until the work
is finished. Only a couple of days
ago I received not from Senator
Tillman, urging me to stay here un-
til his Naval appropriation bill has
passed through conference. The re-
venue bill, the shipping bill, the child
labor bill, and others of Importance,
are yet to be passed, so that really
much of the most important work Of
the session remains to be done.
I could arrange to be paired, of
',rse; but much of the work of the
conferences between the two houses
on important legislation is being
done now. Members of the confer
ence comittees have their friends
helping them to feel out the senti-
ment Of the two houses, so that the
bills may be so shaped that they will
be acceptable when the conference re-
ports are finally presented. All the
Democratic members, and especially
the older ones, those who have been
here long time and know what to
do, and when and how to do it, have
share in this work, and it is import
ant, though not so spectacular as
some other kinds of work.
am as anxious as anybody could
be to get home and into the cam
paign, but my colleagues say my pre-
sence is needed here, and think they
are right. I feel that I should re-
main here and try to do the work
that the people have entrusted to me,
rather than englect the work and 60
home to look after my own political
fortunes. Aside from my sense of
duty, my feeling of gratitude and OBJ
legation to the people, who have re-
peatedly honored me with the position
I now hold, impels me to this course.
- The people of the Third District
know full well that I have never
shirked or lodged a fight. Just as
soon as can feel that I can safely
leave here, I will take the first train
for home. It may be that I can get
away within a week, or it may be
that I will have to remain here un-
til the end of the session of Congress,
and that may be the middle or last
of September. But it is my plain
duty to stay here now, and I am 60
ing to stay.
Aside from my legislative duties,
it has seemed that the calls for in
dividual service for individuals in the
District, in matters pertaining to the
government, have been greater and
more numerous this summer than
ever before. For instance, the mo-
bilization of the national guard has
entailed a great deal of extra work
on the part of every member of Con-
gress. Only few days ago was
-
able to secure the relaese of men,
ber of the guard. After he had en-
listed and gone into camp at Colum-
bia, his father died very suddenly,
leaving a widow and several small
children. The young man is now
needed at home to support the family
but if I had not been here on the
ground would not have been able
to secure his release so quickly, and
probably not at all. The comfort
that have been able to give this be-
reaved family will always be worth
more to me than any possible number
of votes that may lose by reason of
not being at home in the campaign.
Ihave no unkind word to say as to
single one of my opponents. They
have a right to run for Congress, of
course; though if they are doing
,nvtb;no, Of all in their professions-