The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1940-01-18
Doughton Urged To Reconsider And Remain In Congress
Dougghton Decides To Retire
At End OF His Present Term
Veteran Rep. Has Been in
Congress For 30 Years.
Issues Statement.

WA0114AN1 4OAN, ~. ", JAN. ~
Rep. Robert L. Doughton an
nounced today he would retire
from Congress at the close of his
present term.
With dramatic suddenness, the
chairman of the powerful ways
and means committee revealed
his plans to end his long and ex-
ceptionally distinguished career
as representative of the ninth
North Carolina district.
Visibly moved, he told a small
group of friends that he wished
to be relieved of the ardous du
ties attendant upon his important
position and give some attention
to his long-neglected private af-
fairs.
A sense of profound and ire
parable loss pervaded the North
Carolina delegation as Dough-
tons decision became known.
Roosevelt Hates. to Lose Him
This feeling prevailed also at
the other end of Pennsylvania
avenue when President Roosevelt
was told of the announcement
The President declared that he
would be sorry to see Mr.. Dough
ton carry out his decision to re-
tire. He said that he would hate
very much to lose him, and add
ed that as member of the House
Doughton has been of great va
lue to the nation.
Two years ago, the Presiden
wrote Doughton a letter urging
him to remain in Congress anc
continue his service as chairman
of the ways and means commit
tee.
! AS chairman of the ways anc
means committee, Doughton ha
| played the major role in thu
passage of history making legis
lation. Capitol Hill observer
agreed today that perhaps no 9th
err member of the House has hac
a hand in So many vitality impor
tant acts of Congress. His RECORD
over 80 crowded years in thu
| House assures him a permane41
niche in the hall of congressiona
great. Especially is this true O
the past eight years during which
he has piloted through COMMITTEES
and through the House such vita
pieces of legislation as the socia
security act, the repeal Of the
eighteenth amendment, the pas
sage of the national industrial re
covery act, and the reciprocal
trade agreements act, revenue
measures, and other importan
acts.
| Only One Bill Amended
Outstanding in Doughton's re-
cord-a tribute equalled probab
ly by no other member of the
House in the $50 years Of its ex
istence-is the fact that in al
this legislative trail-blaZing, only
one amendment has ever beer
added in the House to a bill
sponsored by Doughton. This
would be exceptional in any case
but it becomes even more empha'
tic when viewed in light of the
pioneering that some of these
bills represented.
The excitement and nationa
import of all these endeavors
however, found little reflection
in the calm, direct, yet deeply
moving announcement of his de-
[ cision.
Thirty years ago the people Of
our congressional district elected
me to represent them in the
Congress of the United States,
Doughton said.
Grateful for Support
cat every biennial election
since that time they have seer
fit to re-elect me to this same re-
sponsible office. For their con.
tinued loyal support l am pro
foundry grateful and for the ma
ny tokens of their trust and con
fidence I express my deep anc
sincere thanks.
81 now feel that the time ha:
arrived when I should acquain
them with my future political in
tentions. Some months ago I de-
| cided that I would not seek re-
| election. This decision has beer
made known, confidentially, to {
few of my friends who under
stand my motives and position
Taking this step is particular.
ly painful to me because of the
veritable deluge of requests
have received recently urging
me to seek reelection. Never be-
fore in my public life have I re.
ceived so many warm assurance:
Iof support and loyalty. Because
of these generous personal mes
Continued on Page ~