The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1922-02-27
THE DUTY OF A CONGRESSMAN

THE DUTY OF CONGRESSMAN
The Chicago Commerce has excellent common
Duty calls attention to the TACT that "
congressional election and that congress actually
fit Bu how, asks can representative be TOO carer"
representing desires of his constituency? Is ne not IN once i
that very purpose public for continually seeking
to perpeuate themselves the criticism just when th
only way they faithfully follow the wishes OF the ma
ory in their several distrcs9' The Joruna continues:
the duty of to follow the opnoon OF MS
regardless of what be7 When the SUBMISSION Oh pro
lbion before numerous instances occur
red in which voted against their convictions when Ger
tain contrary to those at the majority OF their con-
stuens When the public sentiment IN number OF
districts was against policies In those cases. what
should have been the decision of representatives. In
stances with elections only months IN the
future many congressman find their districts controlled by selfish
interests of legislation clearly nmieal to the general well
dilemma which horn thereof should the congressman
take?
This brings us to the the vital point which
this congressman bound represent prevailing opinion IN his
whether right wrong Is he congress merely TO
his the impulses of his constituents so after born OF
prejudice shness gnoranceG Or has been chosen
trustworthy representative of the best thought and the engh
unsesh patriotism of his district whether be In the ma
;ority minorty9 We incline wholly to the latter view.
Congress national body In its hands the general well
of of the country large both and in war 1t our
ceef that is the nation to which he should be loyal at all times
rather than the shifting opinion his district
the advocacy of unwhoesome and huru policies
conduct take it, avoid
ypocs his district led opinion he should remain
right, regardless of his personal political fortunes
hard doctrine that but sound Above other consdera
national political life should be the general welfare of the Re-
public the destiny Of particular district with which
entrusted but the future fthe Union whole We
this heresy the habits of who put
personal oiuary their individual districts above
ali other considerations but the history of greatest and abes
its essential righteousness The words of
Polonus to Laeres in Hamlet apply all else
whera with all the power Of eternal right
This above all: to thine ownsef be true,
And must follow as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any
congressman generally followed this principle conduct the
politics country would unprecedented revival of
virtue and sincerity.
Says the Springfield, Mass Republican:
Few American have had anything approaching Mr..
the national house Fewer stayed there
til they SO old 1namuch the will
begin its until 1928 Mr. Cannon would be nearly 90 when
that had expired He prefers seek denomination
which could be had for the asking.
The Danvle ( district began sending Mr.
ongress in 1873 Fifteen Mr. Cannon heard
while a reminiscent mood Senator Cuom himself
the only Illinois left of that old guard who knew Abraham Lin
Lincoln has been dead nearly yseven years Today Mr.
Cannon the sole the Illinois group that Lincoln
personal following He became states attorney for the Twenev
en judicial district 1861 Between 1868 1873 he pr
f and then began the remarkable congressional which
has not been continuous has been virtually Mr. Cannon
crDatiOn for half century.
Mr. Camon fifty in and of Washington in
fol- phenomenal experience American politics.
that the will the without him.
family the situation For the eight years his speak
ersh the house Mr. Cannon and Mr. Cannon
His dramatic fall had elements of dignity that for him the
respect of the country.
Few people remember the of his immediate
the speakers chair vt who country po
ca history will fail recall Mr. not only
rcigned but ruled