Oral History Interview with David Allred, August 9, 1967 Page: 24
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Allred
24
do is get the House to change its rules. And for the Speaker that
shouldn't be too hard since he generally can influence the majority
of the members or he would not have been elected speaker. But for
the moment, I think this modified seniority rule is a good thing.
I remember when I worked for members of Congress, people in
Washington used to cuss the seniority system, and you do get some
people in on occasion who are perhaps not the best choice for a
particular committee assignment. But looking at the alternative,
I begin to see more merit in the seniority system. And Joe Kilgore,
who was Congressman from down at McAllen, quoted Sam Rayburn one
time as saying, "Seniority...you don't like it when you get there,
but the longer you're there the more you like it." But I could
see more merit in the seniority system.
I don't know that there is any perfect system. I found that
a great many people can complain and can tell you what's wrong with
the world and what's wrong with government and whatever they happen
to be in that they dislike. But when they're asked to come up with
a constructive alternative, they aren't able to do so. I also think
that many people who either didn't vote or who either voted for my
opponent or were Republicans are the ones who are going to ask the
most favors when you get in office. But, of course, it's hard to
tell, unless the person openly supported your opponent, just exactly
who they worked for, or who they voted for. And when you're in,
of course, everybody you talk to voted for you. Even though you
know that they probably voted for your opponent or you know thatthey're an avowed Republican, you kind of smile and thank them.
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Marcello, Ronald E.; Kamp, H. W. & Allred, David. Oral History Interview with David Allred, August 9, 1967, book, November 20, 1968; Denton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth223569/m1/25/?rotate=0: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Oral History Program.