The Natchitoches enterprise., 1922-05-25
Mr.. ASWell and the Senate

/ An0ukli the election still is more thai
two years off political gossip in tn
country begins to concern itself VitA
the senatorial contest of November.
1924, when a successor to Mr.. Ransdell
is to be elected.
| There has been frequent mention ol
the name of Representative J. B. A.
well of the Eighth district and many of
his admirers have been pressing him 70
indicate willingness to be candidate
!! We are glad, however, to note from
Alexandria dispatches that Mr.. Asweu
has no intention at this time to run foF
the Senate, confirming our own infof.
nation from him. We commend hjs
decision.
; The Eighth district representative 10
/ one of the ablest members of The Lou
isiana delegation, and, indeed, one Of
the leaders of the House. He be-
made fine record of attentiveness T.
his duties, service to his constituents
and devotion to the interests of tho
democratic party. If elected, he would
adorn the Senate. Still young, in The
maturity of his powers, we hope event.
ually to see him rewarded by trans.
ference to the higher body of Congre,s,
But we think in his present positioD
he is placed to render infinitely oao
service to Louisiana and the South than
if he became MIR. Ransdelps successor.
If the current of American puLlie
opinion based on the pathetic failure
Of the Republican party to live up to
its pledges, is to be relied on there 10
every reason to expect the next House.
to be elected in November. will b
Democratic.
In that event MIR. Aswell, almost
will become the chairman Of
he Committee Oh i agriculture, Of which
..e is the ranking democratic member.
ihis committee is recognized as one Of
sc most important OF Congress, and
ar. Aswell at its head would have
rare opportunity to reider inestimabls
er,ice not only to his district and
-,;4Se but to the South as a whole. We
think he feels that, even at the sacri.
ice of not unworthy ambition, no
owes a duty t. the Democratic party
If the South pot to deprive it of this
craftsmanship.
Mr. Aswell can afford to wait the
yreatcr reward Of his unusually Capable
public service. His career has heeti
me of steady progress. He was born
poor boy in the hills of jackson par"
sh. He began to earn his own living
ven before he reached his teens, first
n his native parish and later in the
parish of Lincoln. With IN
mbition for education he worked his
,ay through the Granma School Of
is section and then worked his own
,ay through Vanderbilt University.
to Louisiana each summer
nd teaching school in the Pine Hills.
fter taking post graduate course ut
anderbilt he returned to Louisiana to
.ach school. eventually rising to the
.esidency of the Industrial Institute
Ruston, of which he made success
spite the poverty of the appropria-
,ns provided for it.
In 1904 at the solicitation of Senator
,ster, Gov Blanchard drafted him for
t State Superinten1ercy of Educa-
N and hone served MOI e progressive
or efficiently in that J: flee to which
was reelected in 1868. Still later
v. Sanders persuaded him, in crisis
the affairs Of the State Normal
aool, to resign the position and &C.
IT the presidency Of that institution,
at Natchitoches, with over 2Co
oils. be repeated his success OF Rus.
j, with never a breath of scandal
aching to his administl alton.
in 1912, running as A9
ependent Democrat in q party prim:
for Governor, with the support Of
ther political organization, he polled
vote among the people
, knew him best and was defeated
hout dishonor.
ince 1918 he has been in Congress
risen there to commanding posi-
in bis party, having the respect
only of his party colleagues bpt
,e of opposite faith and the officials
IL the departments of the Govezo'
It service.
'ith such record he is entitled to
notion. But with the prospect Of
nocratic success in the nation in
ember, we should prefer not to see
enter . campaign for the Senate
924 when by remaining in Congress
will have such an opportunity -
ly comes to Louisianian to serve
people, and indeed, the farming
lent Of the entire country. States.