The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-07-28
Hon. Finis |. Garrett

FINS James Garretf representa-
tive Of the ninth Tennessee district, IS
serving his sixth term in congress,
having entered with thei term begin
ming March 4th, 1905, when he was
one of the youngest members of the
house. As it is, he is the youngest of
the veteran members. He became a
member when only twenty-nine years
old and is now but forty. Of the 4S5
members Of the house sixty-nine, or
less than Is per cent, have served
longer than he
Coming to congress blessed with
good health, staunch character and un-
usual intellectual endowment, with a
naturally apt grasp Of public questions
an excellent opportunity for his gift
and attachments opened before him.
That he has done exceedingly well and
most honorably with his native equip
ment and advantages for public serv-
ice will be readily affirmed by all with
whom he has been associated as
representative in congress, and by off
GERS of the executive branch of the
government, from President Wilson all
down the line.
For "Finis Garrett" as the still
young Tennessean is Familiarity known
is one of the ablest and most depend
able members of congress, implicitly
relied upon by his democratic party
associates, and especially honored by
call to council by his party's chieftain
in the white house, he is esteemed and
respected by his political adversafies
to a degree that marks the man of
exceptional fitness for public duty.
While one of the most forcible, elo-
quent and eogent speakers of the house
much of Mr.. CARROTS most notable
work has been of a constructive order
in committee work and in advisory
capacity among leadersAof the house.
His first committee assignment was
to the committee on claims in the if
ty-ninth congress. Shortly thereafter
he became member of the committee
on insular affairs, and has served con-
tinuously on that important commit
tee. The chairman of the committee
is Representative William A. Jones of
Virginia, who has served longer in
congress than any other democrat. Mr..
Garrett ranks next to Mr.. Jones, and
by reason of the impaired health of the
Virginia member the Tennessean has
had devolving upon him a large share
of leading in the work of the commit
tee, and has always carried much of
the burden of shaping legislation for
all our outlying island possessions,
such as constructing an autonomous
government for Porto Rico and pro-
viding for the future self government
of the Philippines-measures which
have passed the house and are now
pending in the senate.
Mr.. Garrett so early in his congress
sional career proved a clean strong
grasp of parliamentary questions that
it was logical advancement for him to
be placed on the rules committee, where
ne went by the election of his, fellow
members when, in the sixty-second
congress, the democrats adopted the |
innovation of relieving the speaker of
the appointment of the standing com,
mittees of the house and placing their
choice in the hands of the whole body.l
He has been without a peer as thesI
democratic debater on every contest
over the rules, issues that always set
the stage for the most interesting and
important parliamentary struggles of
congress; for they are necessarily pre-
liminary to clearing the way of ac-,I
ton and despatch of important meas
ures, and especially for the execution
of party programs. Mr.. Garrett has
been especially active and useful dur I,
ing the present session of congress-. Il
h the long business absence Of
the chairman, Robert l.. henry of Tex
as, and illness of the next ranking
member, Edward W. Pou of North
Carolina. With this extra duty thrust
upon him, exacting the highest par
liamentary skill and tactful leadership
he has so we'll risen to the occasion
that President Wilson has repeatedly
availed himself of the Tennessee mem
ber's ready powers. He particularly
distinguished himself leading the dem
ocrats in the debate against the McLe-
more resolution warning American
citizens against travelling on ships of
belligerents subject to attack by Ger
man submarines.
Mr.. Garrett has been frequently call
ed to the chair by the speaker and has
presided over the committee of the
whole on the state of the union when
many of the great measures of leg
islation were under consideration.
1t happens that this is not only
election years." but general election
year, in which president and vice-pres-
ident of the United States and senator's
and representatives in congress have
to be elected. 1t happens moreover
that while this sixty-fourth congress
is one Of the greatest and gravest his
toric Importance to the country. IL is
necessarily of vital concern to the flu
ture Of the democratic party which is
charged with the chief responsibility
for the government in its legislative
and executive branches. The demo-
cratic majority in the house being only
ten in membership of 435, the party
leaders have been obliged to be vigil
ant and insistent in the keeping Of the
ranks on the legislative firing line in