The Ocala evening star., 1922-09-08
NO PLACE IN CONGRESS
FOR CHARLES KNIGHT


Akron, o., Sept. Ito those who
are urging me to reconsider my pur-
pose to retire from Congress, | wish
to say this: am convinced that l am
wholly out of harmony with the spirit
and purpose that now prevail at
Washington"
This was the explanation of his an
nounced intention of quitting Con-
gress, given in an interview here by
Representative Charles L. Knight,
member from the fourteenth Ohio
district, and now serving his first
term.
Is Publisher
Knight, who is publisher of the
Akron Beacon Journal, has been
prominent in republican party politics
in recent years.. He bolted the regu-
lar republican ranks to support Theo-
dore Roosevelt at the end of the Taft
administration. He was offered the
nomination for Congress in 1912 by
both progressives and regulars but de-
clined. In 1914 he was named a
member of the republican state CEN
tral committee. He was a delegate to
the national convention in 1916.
Knight was a candidate for governor
Of Ohio in the August primaries this
/ year, but was defeated. His defeat
| by Carmi Thompson, regular" was
taken as an endorsement of the ad-
ministration.
"a half dozen politicians do the
legislating for the nation" he stated.
Debates Shut Off"
Contrary to popular belief, Con-
gress has ceased to be a deliberative
body. Bills are brought in under a
special rule which altogether shuts
off debate and the right of amend
ment, or confines such action to those
selected by the leaders, No member
was allowed to offer an amendment on
the floor to the tariff bill unless he
were a member of the ways and means
committee that framed it. This was
one of the reasons why I voted against
it.
"The bonus bill imposing burden
of five billions on the people of the
country, was passed under a rule
which prohibited all amendments and
after only four hours of debate. Un,
| Jo,. e,,ob conditions 4bo WON 1rybo v,Io
fers to do his own thinking and really
has any constructive ideas has nj
place in Congress.
Can Do Little
cit is true he may essay the role Of
an obstructionist, but even at this h
can only accomplish further waste
OF time by forcing futile roll calls. NJ
member can get a bill before th'
House unless the rules committee
permits it. Not even an investigation
Of the most fragrant abuses can b.
considered by the House unless th'
same rules committee will allow it.
"The Woodruff resolution concern
ing war contracts is still fresh in tn
peoples minds. In other words,
member is perfectly helpless, unles
he is willing to play the game of tn
1 leaders, who, of course, represent tn
l will of the administration.
"The republican party of Ohio, bot
l at the primaries and state convention
gave a blanket endorsement to the ad
ministration policies. therefore con
slider that l have no right to try t
obstruct or to criticize those policie
until the people at the next election
pass judgment upon them.
Only One Job Left
"Therefore, there is nothing that
can do as a congressman, except pos
sibly to appoint postmasters, and
a have no conspicuous genius for tha
: kind of thing. All of the importan
n routine business of my district ikel
to arise before the expiration Of m
a term, has been disposed of with fe7
a exceptions, and as soon as | can clos
these up shall get out for good.
"Being just an ordinary successft
e business man, and used to getting r.
L, suits without windjamming, I hav
e, discovered that I have neither the al
h nor the patience of the statesmal
d and I want to get back to usefl
work"