Year: 1864




inateds


To THE AMERICAN FLAG: As the time is
approaching when the rank and file of the
Union party will be called upon to select del
ecates to the State and District Convention,
it is proper that they should give the subject
that careful consideration which the impor-
tan,e of the subject demands, and lend their
exertions to secure the election as candidates
of none but men whose loyalty and patrio-
tism is undonbted. The sacred cause of the
Union imperatively demands the exercise of
sound Judgment and the performance of the
whole duty from each and every one of its de-
voices. Nothing less is expected of them,
and nothing less will answer. BY faithfully
pursuing this course, it will secure the nom
ination and election of those men who have
Obtained in the party high character for
sterling patriotism. industry, and high or
der of ability, which the exigences of the
country require in its hour of trial and Of per-
H. All will admit the necessity Of securing
as candidates for Presidential Electors those
men who possess the qualifications of educa-
tion, character and influence among their
neighbors


But the object of this article is to direct the
atteiition of Union men to the necessity of re-
nominating our present representatives. in
Congress, and Il brief attempt to show the fol-
ly of rotating them out of Office at the very
time when they have attained positien Of use
fulness. Judging from the past, California
has no appreciation Of the adv lntages of ex-
perienced representatives. She and Oregon
are the only State in which the practice of
rotating prevails. All the States on the At
antic side have learned wisdom from our
Southern brethren, yes, often, returned Con-
gressmen. The people there cannot see all
the advantages of rotation The rules and
order Of business of Congress are widelydif-
ferent from those in any State Legislature
and members who have served in bo.h say
that their experience in State Legislatures
availed them nothing there. The rules
Of Congress are exceedingly complicated
and it requires close attention 10 be-
come came familiar withthem Men re cleo
ted members are acquain ed with the busi-
ness Of the last Congress, and can readily an
ticipate, to great extent. the business Of the
next. Understanding the temper Of the com
mittees. they know where to refer propos-
sitinn for success. They. of coarse, are con
suited in making up the committees. and
committees are often made up in reference to
measures. Aew members are never put at
the heads Of important committees. and rare
~ upon such committees at all. California;
has never been representation the Committee
of Ways and Means. and her citizens came
nea paving dearly for it of tte. by tax of
five per cent on TIE gross products of her
mines 0ae of our members stated on the
floor Of the House that mot a member of
that Committee knew ANYTHING whatever
about COLA or silver IN ming" Speaker Col
fax afterwards remarked to friend of the
writer that : he wanted to put man on
from California; but they rere all near men"
1t required the best sort of management by
the entire delegation from the Pacific Coast
TO override the Committee. who were deter
mined to force the tax on


The old members likewise have grsatlv the
advantage on the floor of the House. In fact
they control the legislation. They are fa-
miliar with each other, and often concede to
an old member what new one might ask for
in vain. The Speaker is always an old mem
Der. and it would be more than human if he
did not favor the men of experience In fact
he ought to do to facilitate business, and
he cannot avoid it. If the reasons in general
for re-electing Congressman are strong. they
are doubly so when applied to the Pacific
Coast. The States on the Atlantic side are
so near that the Representative can consult
with his constituents during the pendcncy of
a measure and before final action upon it.
Net so with the Pacific members They must
determine for themselves the effect of a meas
ure and whether it would be approved at
home. for it will become law before com
munication can pass between them and their
constituency. Hence the necessity for ex
perience and study. They must by careful
and diligent examination make themselves
acquainted in advance with whatever matters
may effect the country one way or the other.
Unless legislation comes by intuition the ex
perienced member has great advantage over
green one. and Unless | am greatly mistak-
en- an experienced member is more neccesSa
ry to represent the Pacific Coast than any
State East.


One thing more. Much of the business of
member of Congress from the Pacific side is
with the Departments. and it requires time
and labor to become IL arliliar with the distri-
button Of the immense business of the Amer
lean Capital. Tie Departments divided
up into great many bureaus. each ofwhich
has its specific duties. \ thorough knowl
edge Of the details of each is essentially requis
ite TO insure success in measures of vital in
terest to the people, and at the same time
to insure efficiency in every branch of the
public service Some of the above facts would
not readily occur to q person md are submit
ted now with the view of attracting attention
of thinking men.


1t is notasreeable to reflect on the mischief
which might possibly result by the setting
aside Of our representatives. Messrs- Highly.
Cole and Shannon, whose records stand with
out blemsh-failhful to the cause OF the
Unian and humanity. In all candor let US
INQUIRE of all the candidates for the success
ion. is there one among them more loyal and
better. and if so, in what respect?


For these reasons the people are invoked
10 rally and elect delegates tathe various dis
tract conventions who viii renominate and
re-elect these men who have 50 faithfully
served their country.


A UNION Man.