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Show In our opinion Marriott's plan to break seniority system has merit ' "Seniority is the name of the game." That's the description of the United States Congress according to Utah's Freshman Congressman Dan Marriott who visited southern Utah this past week and conducted a series of town meetings. The congressman suggested a couple of alternatives to the seniority system that prevails in congress which have strong merit. Those with seniority head the committees and the committees control the legislation that reaches the floor of the House for consideration con-sideration by all the members. Utah's Second Congressional District has not experienced any benefits of seniority. There have been three representatives to the U.S. Congress from this district in eight years. In no way, shape or form does that constitute seniority. The West, as pointed out by Marriott, has the land, but the congressional votes are controlled by the Eastern Establishment and those sitting at the heads of the committees. But, how do we break the seniority system? One alternative is to re-elect representatives to Congress-regardless of party. However, the Congressman suggested another alternative which he felt was more effective and more realistic. That would be legislation to place a limit on the number of terms for which a Congressman could be elected. Two was his recommended numberr of terms. Marriott went even further with two additional recommendations. They would include streamlining of the system and a reduction in the legislative sessions. "We could accomplish as much in a single three month session as we do all year," he suggested. In streamlining sessions the Congressman suggested that the antiquated system of ringing a bell to summon Congressmen to the floor of the House should be eliminated. The Utah Congressman said he felt that he has to respond to the "bell" in order to maintain his voting record. The congressman's office is about two blocks from the House of Representatives. He estimated that he spent three hours a day responding to the "ringing of the bell." Last year Marriott cast approximately ap-proximately 700 votes. Of those he estimated that one tenth were of major concern. "I also believe Congressmen could hold regular jobs and attend a three month session each year, much as the state legislature." The latter is out of the question with the political clot that currently exists in Washington. But the limiting of terms for elected officials is one that deserves strong support. It might be the only way that the seniority system can be broken and develop adequate and fair representation in Congress. Hopefully Congressman Marriott and others might pursue that issue. They could rally the support of most American voters. |