Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 106, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1904 — The New Congressman. [ARTICLE]

The New Congressman.

Every member of Congress, when first elected, is faced with the necessity of outlining his program for a public career and must stand or fall upon the wisdom of his decision and his success in realizing his ambitions. He must decide whether he shall enter into competition with the men wvith records of long and honorable service behind them in seeking his share of the credit and plaudits for honors in the forum of debate and the contest for general legislation, or whether be shall devote his time to the interests of the particular constituency he may represent. If he represents a district in the House or a State in the Senate in which the party majorities are sttong and fixed and his tenure of office assuredly long, safety elect to devote his efforts to a specialty, to stamping his impress upon legislation on subjects to which he has devoted much thought and attention. In that event his first influence must be exerted to secure assignment to the committees that furnish the field for the exer't'ise of his efforts and after that everything depends upon the man and his willingness to work. Most of the legislation of the Congress, in fact, is the work of specialists. — Leslie's Montnly.