The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1917-07-10
A Georgian in Washington Has a
Word for the Senators and Congressman

To the Editor of The Dawson News: Per.
haps we are all generally agreed that these
are perllous times, and that if there ever was
an occasion when patriotic impulses should
inspire US and common sense direct us it is
now. About the most disgusting thing that
comes to me in these trying times is for some
| little One-gallows pop and Jay to write a
letter to his congressman or senator charg-
ing them with being disloyal to the best in
terests of this country.
During the period that the United States
congress has been devoting it's time to war
legislation | have been observing pretty
closely the members of both the house and
the senate. | have busted myself considera-
bly, studying individually members of both
the great legislative bodies, and | tell YOU
with supreme satisfaction that there is not
disloyal member in either branch That
there is difference of opinion do not for a
moment deny. Congressman and senators
would drop fifty per cent. in my estimation
II they were all of one mind on the great
vital issues. Discussion is essential in order
to produce anything like unanimity of mind.
1t must not be forgotten that the men COM
posing the American congress are with but
very rare exceptions men of superiority.
Ihey possess unusual strong characteristics
and pronounced personalities. They are nat
urally, therefore, men who will not support
measures until they have first studied them
and famllarized themselves with the WHY'S
and wherefores of things. | see hundreds of
letters that come to Washington to senators
and congressman from farmers, merchants
carpenters, lawyers, doctors, stone cutters,
from all the walks and professions, telling
congressman and senators how to vote on
tins and that question, when, / dare saw. the
average writer has only surface view of
the question he is urging his respective con-
gresham or senator tO SIIDDOrt
Now | can't see to save my life WHY the
average voter can manifest greater conf
dence in the president than he does in his
immediate congressman or senator. No far
mer ever followed the plow closer, no car
penter ever stood at the bench with more
no merchant ever gave his bust
ness closer attention, no cordwainer ever
piled his trade with greater industry than
the average congressman and senator here
has studied the war issues that they have
been called upon to TegisIate. Congress-
thoroughly appreciates the severity of the
situation. mistake made in time of war
IN matters of legislation will certainly be
more disastrous than one made in time of
peace. know that this is democracy, that
ours is founded upon republicanism or the
voice of the people, and I think all legisla-
tive bodies should bow with august reverence
at the request of the people made through
regularly accredited state and national con-
ventlons. In the absence of such instruc-
tons congressman or senator if he is en-
Titled to be called statesman, will most
certainly act upon his own enlightened con-
Scientious judgment
Congress, as a whole, is acting in good
faith; 1t wants to properly and effectively
meet the imperative emergencies of the hour