The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1880-03-20
THE PERSONNEL OF CONGRESS.
Who the Men are Who Make the Laws
for These United States.

| The Washington Star SAYS: 1t is the
lawyers, after all. who rule this gloriou.
country of ours. The Senate of the
United States consists of 20 members
and of this number 80 are practicing law
yerS. Of the 1913 members of the House
of Representatives 2l9 are lawyers The
President and the Eice-President of the
United States are lawyers, and nearly all
the Government departments are headed
and directed by the same profession. In
the Senate, especially among the Sena-
tors themselves, each members ability is
gagged by his rank as a lawyer. When
the status of incoming Senator is under
discussion the remark is very frequently
made: He is 4 fine lawyer and will
make good Senator Because the man
is a good lawyer the superstition with
senators is that he must therefore be a
!irst-cass statesman. Why the people
at the United States give such preference
10 the profession of the law in selecting
their Legislators and rulers is a problem
that cannot be answered. In the Senate
there is only l physician and in the
House there are but 6. There are among
the Senators business men or merchants,
| doctor, | editor, planters, 9 farmers.
banker, l mine owner and operator, and
of no profession or business.
Senator Hamlin is the oldest member
# that body i'll years. and the eldest in
point of service, counting from the time
VI his first election. Senator Anthony
has been longer in continuous service
than any other Senator. He first took
lis scat in 1859, and has been regularly
"e-e!ected at the expiration of each term
yer since. Mr.. Hamiin. who is now over
evenly years Of age. first took his seat
II 1888, but he subsequently resigned
when elected Governor of Maine. He
vas. however, reelected to the Senate
Immediately after being inaugurated as
GOVERNOR, and afterwards again resigned
- become ice-President of the United
states. Mr.. Bruce, Of Mississippi, is the
youngest Senator, not being 80 years of
rge. Senator Edmunds, of Vermont, is
~ many supposed tc be the oldest Sena-
n. because of his appearance, but in
act there are but few who are Younger
han he. He is yet but SO years of age,
mt his head and beard are gray. and a
topping posture that he assumes makes
ilm appear much older than he really is.
senator's EdmundS and Thurman are gen.
rally ranked as the best lawyers in that
'ody, and in their political parties respec-
lively they are usually accepted as au-
Thority upon questions of management
II policy
In past times members of Congress
who distinguished themselves by care
III watching of appropriations have been
designated as watch dogs Of the Treas
n.y." Senator Edmunds might very ap-
1ropriately be called the guardian of leg
i>lation generally. AS soon as bill or
resolution that has been introduced in
either House is printed, Mr.. Edmunds
brochures a copy and acquaints himself
with its provisions. He keeps track of
very measure. no matter how nnimpnrt-
ant, and if there is defect in it or room
II an objection. he will present it when
the matter gets before the Senate. He
is an indefatisable worker and student
N the line of his Legislative duties. and
has by his vigilance in this way been of
incalculable service to the country.
Besides the ei9 lawyers in the House
ttrcre are % merchants. ) bankers, 3 CAPT.
talists, , inventors, ) manufacturers, =
teachers, 70 farmers, 6 physicians. 4 edit
,rs, architect and builder, ministers.
stone-cutter, / insurance agent. mill
ers, ans; 3 owners and operators Of trans
.,ortation lines. The oldest member of
the House is Mr.. Wait, of Connecticut,
Sho is SO years of age, and the youngest
nember is Mr.. Frost, of St. Louis, who
is 2S years of age. Fernando Wood has
been longer member of the House than
any of his associates.