The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-07-28
DECLINE IN THE U. $. SENATE.

The United States Senate, in an
intellectual way, Is growing weak,
and when this body meets again II
may be discovered that the Demo-
Gratis have gained not only a mental
but a moral supremacy. The great
est OF stalwarts, giant among
Republicans, physically rs well rs
mentally, has stepped down and out
to give place to man without fame
and If the senate lost ability of
any kind by the resignation of
Platt nothing more has been gained
by the election of a wood-pulp sena-
tor. What holds good as TO the
changes for New York applies TO
most of the other late changes af-
fecting the senate. Unknown and
unimportant persons seem to be
in demand for this august
body. First there is Booth of
California. He gave place to
Miller, who is unknown, while
in the Connecticut succession-Ea-
ton giving away TO Hawley-there
was certainly retrogression. Nc
Donald, of Indiana, was man of
superior ability, but he is succeeded
by Harrison, whose calibre is only
mediocre. Kirkwood, of Iowa, went
into the cabinet and his place was
taken by one whose name will
scarcely be recalled by any citizen
out of his state. Conger, of Michi-
gan, may have as much ability, but
he has less character of fairness and
usefulness than his predecessor.
Blaine and Hamlin, of Maine, are
followed by Hale and Frye, and
they are both known to be rather
small fry. German, OF Maryland, oc-
cupies the seat vacated by VIM.
Pinkney Whyte, and the senate is
not thus strengthened. Window, of
Minnesota, entered the cabinet and
his scat goes to one who is not a po-
litical heavyweight. George, of Miss,
succeeded Bruce, and herein, atleast,
the ability of the senate is added TO.
Paddock, of Nebraska, was fol-
lowed by Van Wyck, aud not much
may be said for either of them.
Fair comes after Sharon, and in this
change per diem may be drawn on
actual attendance. Randolph, of
New Jersey, is superior to his sue
cessor, Sewell. The leader of the
senate, Thurman of Ohio, gave way
to well-known man, but there are
few who believe John Sherman is
the peer in intellect or learning of
his predecessor. Mitchell, of Penn
sylvania, is by no means the
equal of Wallace, whose place
he takes, while Jackson, of Ten
nessee is a fair successor of Bailey.
Withers, of Virginia, was not much,
but he is succeeded by Malone, a
man of no influence. Hereford, of
West Virginia, did not make himself
noted for anything as a senator, and
the state has probably gained moth
ing by the succession of Camden. The
Wisconsin successors to Cameron
and Carpenter are said to be feather
weights, and so the intellectual stand
ard of our greatest representative
and legislative body has been lower
ed. In lookingover the list ofsenators
now, one finds but few names that
even sound familiar. Hill and Brown.
of Georgia, are widely known. while
Davis of Illinois, Voorhees,, of In
diana, Beck, of Kentucky, Lamar, of
Mississippi, Pendleton, of Ohio,
Hampton, ofSouth Carolina, and his
colleague, Butler, Vest, of Missouri,
Morgan, of Alabama, and Coke, of
Texas, are known for their ability
and are highly respected at home and
abroad. The Republicans of note
are Logan, of Illinois, Hoar and
Dawes, of Massachusetts,, Sherman.
of Ohio, and last and least is their
ally, Malone, of Virginia.