Congressional Seniority - Long Wait For Lawmakers
by Stanley Meisler
Commentary by Stanley Meisler
March 31, 1963
March 1963
Washington D.C.
original articleThe News and Observer (Raleigh, NC)
original articleNo items found.
Many congressmen grumble about the seniority system in Congress, but few want to do anything about it. In 1811, a freshman, Henry Clay of Kentucky, was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. That could not happen today. Time has clamped a tradition of seniority on Congress. No new congressman dares dream now of reaching the cores of power and influence without waiting his turn in a long line. As usual Congress opened this year with voices both inside and out calling for change. The voices include those of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower and reportedly President Kennedy...
Many congressmen grumble about the seniority system in Congress, but few want to do anything about it. In 1811, a freshman, Henry Clay of Kentucky, was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. That could not happen today. Time has clamped a tradition of seniority on Congress. No new congressman dares dream now of reaching the cores of power and influence without waiting his turn in a long line. As usual Congress opened this year with voices both inside and out calling for change. The voices include those of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower and reportedly President Kennedy...
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