Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-08-12
The Congressional Situation

Congressman Scuny stands on firm ground when he bases his ap
peal for reelection on his support of the administrations war policies
No one can find the slightest faint of pacifsm in Nh. Scunys makeup
He has been pro-war and anti German from the beginning. While the
National Security League and other patriotic organizations are going
over every congressmans record with a fine tooth comb with the idea
of opposing every candidate for reelection who has shown the slight
est bit of pro-Germanism, they will not find the slightest trace of this
in Mr.. Seullys record.
Mr.. scully is American from top to bottom, he has been for the
war ever since the sinking of the Luitania and his vote has been in
favor of every measure and movement that would in any way tend
to lick the Hun.
Tho is only one thing in the reelection of Mr.. Scully that will
cause the average citizen of the Third Congressional District of
New Jersey to hesitate. Mr.. Sculy is a Democrat. As a Democrat
he viii help keep the Democratic party in power at Washington.
The Democratic party at Washington is absolutely in the hands of
a few Southerners. This is the first time the southern Democrats
have been in the saddle since the Civil War and they are making the
most of it. Mr.. Sculy, although a Democrat, has comparatively
little influence at Washington because he comes from the North.
Some of the best brains in congress, both Democrats and Republi-
cans, are ignored and have little or nothing to say during this great
crisis through which the nation is passing because they are from
the North.
This discrimination is due mainly to the foolish priority ruling
which congress refuses to change.
To be elected to congress as a Democrat from any of the south
ern states is IS good as a life job. There is no opposition in the
South because the southern Democrats have disfranchised the negro
and to be a Republican down there is to be socially Ostracized.
As a result as soon as the Democrats got control of congress the
representatives and senator's from the southern states were the
ranking Democratic members and they became the chairmen of the
important committees. Men far superior in intellect and ability are
forced to sit and twirl their thumbs while these southern Democrats,
representing districts having less population than Perth Amboy
alone, muddle through.
Thank God, they obey expEcitedly the President, or what an
awful ness there would be.
But is it right that congress should be so absolutely helplessf
is it right that brainy, capable men, both Democrats and Republi-
cans should be sidetracked simply because they come from the North
where the largest population is locatedf
For instance, a Democratic congress means the continuation of
Claude Kitchin as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and
floor leader of the House. This committee makes up our tax bills.
1t was this same Kitchin who, when the first was tax bill was
being framed, deliberately placed the burden Of taxation north of
the Mason and Dixon line, letting the rich cotton planters of the
south off quite free. When demonstrated with he arrogantly declared
that it was the people of the North who wanted this war, so let them
pay fori I.
When the draft law was being put through congress the Demo
cratic chairman of the military committee in the House refused to
handle it. and the ranking Republican in the committee had to act
cratic administration.
For the North to continue to send Democrats to congress is to
continue to play into the hands Of the southern Democrats with their
rank sectionalsm and discrimination.
If there was only a chance for congress to forget politics and
choose the best men to head the committees, regardless of the length
of time they have served in congress, there would be no hesitancy
whatever in getting behind such a man as Mr.. Scuny and sending
them back to Washington without opposition.
But there is no chance of congress abohshing the priority rule
AS long as Democrats control congress the small fry from the South
win control and the Northerners, whether Democrats or Republicans
viii have little to say, regardless of ability.
1t is this situation and this situation alone that will cause opposi
ton of such loyal patriot as Mr.. Scully this fall. But even with this
handicap, the Republicans will have to nominate the very best they
can find in their party to beat the present congressman. They must
produce better timber than was put up last time.
CoJoo-e DnL;oe I'D Tan