The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-02-11
THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
Tendencies and Changes conkiihg's Prospects
for the Future.

Tendencies and Changes-Conkhngs prospects
for the Future.
Meeting Major Poore, the oldest employe
of the Senate, to-day, said: "Major,it looks
good deal as if Roscoe Conkling would be
the dictator of the Senate after the 4th of
March,"
"Well," said Poore, abe is practically that
now. Blaine came in here with chance TO
lead an opposition to him, but has not VEN
tured TO do IL. Nobody wants to tackle
Conkling in his own sphere. He is man
of such positive nature, and so fully inform
ed about Senatorial business and methods of
procedure, as we'll as the law of things, that
it is hard to get him down."
"Will the Republicans control the organi-
zation of the Senate after the 4th Of March ~
81 think it all depends on the result in
Tennessee" answered the Major. "While
think Malone rather desirous Of acting with
the Republicans, he will be sure to do so IL
Tennessee elects Republican"
-. A Democratic employs Of the Senate, look
ing over the floor with me, said: "That man
Conkling towers above every thing here. His
abilities neutralize the unpopularity OF his
manners. He takes hold of things in the
Senate with knowledge and confidence and
| an art which persuade and compel the peo-
pie to let him lead. He has his friends
among the Democrats, who think great
deal of him. He is pretty strong with Car
land, of Arkansas; and, strange as it may
seem, with Morgan, Of Alabama, too, who Is
Bourbon. He and Lamar don't speak, but
there is no issue between them. Lamar
went 10 Gordon's rescue in the fight Gordon
had with Conkling, and when Gordon and
Conkling made up Lamar got left out. La
mar is gentleman of kind spirit; and, al
though he and Conkling pass without re-
marks think there is no longer any excite
ment there. Lamar's health is good again
better than il has been here for year; but
his wife is now sick.
.'The Democratic side," said this person,
sis pretty deficient in men of force. George
Pendleton is generally respected for his bear
ing OIL this floor, and his conversance with
public questions from Of old. You will no.
tce him now talking to Conkling. McDon-
aid Was tolerably popular here, but his defeat
in Indiana, and that of Hendricks with him,
is looked upon as the biggest blow of Bour-
bonsm that our party has yet received.
Some of the Southern Senators here call 1t
hopeful sign. Cerro Gordo Williams, who is
reading from the foolscap page that long
speech on the cattle bill and danger to bulls,
is not considered very heavy engine. The
two Republican Senators you see talking to-
gether there, Allison and Mcmillan, are as
reputable men as we have in this body, and
are becoming popular on the other side. Nc
MILAN will be reelected to-day.
"Conkling shows well in open Senate but
he is wonderfully strong in Executive ses-
sions and in his Committee. When he was
In that Commerce Committee he knew the
business so perfectly that nobody can match
| him IN It, he knows the involutions of every
thing. The fact is, he gives his whole time
and temperament to public business, while II
is only pastime or a piece Of egotism with
some others. Geo. Vest, Of Missouri, u con-
sidered man Of brilliant power, especially
in debate. Nobody likes to handle him In
debate here. George Hoar, of Massachusetts
| is not very popular with the Democratic side.
| They think he is too 'twangey' and Yankee
ish. Nor is anything known by the Demo-
Gratis generally about Morrill,, of Vermont.
Edmunls shows signs of wearing out. He
is little waspish, and as there is nobody his
match on the Democratic side, he is not much
known over there"
From the foregoing remarks of one famil-
lar with the Senate, and from general obser-
vations, it is plain that, while the average Of
Senatorial ability may be better than it was
twenty years ago,the degree of independence
and equality which once prevailed is gone.
Some ascribe this to the influence Of bosses
in politics. There have generally been from
half dozen to dozen men in the Senate
respectable matches for each other in en-
counter, whereas now the Senate is crowded
like pyramid, with Conkling and Edmunds
on the top. There are satellites in the Re-
publican party next below, and the base is
made up of great many obscure Southern
erS ana racine COaSt HcH. Inc Ctate Lcbio-
latures are putting men in the Senate at the
dictation of some State boss, instead of hunt
ing around among the people and finding ad-
dress, character and intelligence.
Although Hayes will quit with some mega
tive encomium, 1t will leave the Senate
stronger than 1t was when Hayes came into
Office to fight the Executive. Conkling will
undoubtedly 60 to the top of the body and,
having paramount influences over nomina
tions under Garfeld-reaching into the Dem
ocratic party and bossing his own-if Blaine
goes out, as seems certain, without giving
him fight, and Allison also retires, Conk-
ling will run the whole Senatorial machine.
Never has the Senate been so thoroughly
controlled by one man. Joe Hawley and
John Sherman will be left to antagonize
Conkling; but they will hardly risk the job.
Meantime David Davis seems to be floating
over toward the Republican party, which Is
, Conkling more and more.-G. A. Totcnsend
In Cincinnati Enquirer.