Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-03-31
SENATOR GEORGE F. EDMUNDs.
The ImpIacable Foe OF ssThe LObby,,-
Other CharacterislicS.

Senator Edmunds Is known as the implacable
foe of lobbyists and legislative schemes for prl-
yate or personal benefit. The plea in behalf of
private bills that the beneficiary is q poor man
or woman with large number of children to
support, never moves Mr.. Edmunds to withdraw
MS opposition to measure which he thinks
ought not to pass. He makes himself acquaint-
cd with the details of every measure coming be-
fore the Senate. and he is prepared at all times
to discuss the merits or dement's of the most
unimportant as we'll as the most important
measure. His faculty of famliarizing himself
with the matters of legislation is indeed as
wonderful as 1t is thorough. you can never
catch the old Vermont fox Off his guard" said
an irreverent brother Senator who had failed
in an attempt to slip little bill through. and
who was surprised by Mr.. Edmunds reciting
facts about the history of the measure which
he, himself, had not been aware Of
Senator Edmunds is said to be a most
genial man in the home and social circle. but
in public life he wears an uninyiting aspect
He clothes himself in an arnor of reserve
which few. save those on friendly footing,
paper reporter, with all his characteristic
hardihood, steers clear of the Vermont Sena-
tor. In fact, to state it bIuntly. Mr. Edmunds
Is charged with positive aversion for reporters
tie thinks newspapers are given too much to
prying INTO public matters before they are rine
for the press His idea is that new Ders should
wait for public questions to be fiI.allv settled
and determined and should never seek to an
ticipate the Record. The reporter who should
ask him for information as to what was being
done with subject under consideration would
most likely be severely rebuked for gross im-
pertinence. Mr.. Ednunds endeavors so far as
his authority extends, to enforce the order of
secrecy, which he thinks should be maintained in
relation to public business; but, of course, he
frequently fails. II an item of news escaped
from the Judiciary committee, of which Mr.. Ed
mund1 Is chairman, he would consider that
somebody had done violence to the honor and
dignity of that body and of the Senate. and woe
be unto the man who had leaked if he were
discovered. The manner in which the chairman
would proceed, after a publication as to what
the judiciary committee had done with some
question pending before it, would be entertain
Ing, though very serious. At the next meeting
he would descant upon the Nervousness of the
sin of "prematurely" spreading before the pub-
lie matters not yet finally disposed Of He would
not be guilty of charging any member OF the
committee directly with such violation of the
rules. OF even of expressing such a suspicious;
but he would indirectly score the un-
known offender most keenly. He would call
The messenger, and with frowning brow and
stern look demand If he had overheard any
Of the committees proceedings at the last meet
ing Being answered in the negative, he would
ask IL anybody had been seen lingering around
the door or the committee room, or If it WAS
possible for somebody to have eavesdropped.
He would insist that the Information must have
been obtained in some such manner, as If it was
not to be supposed that any member OF the
committee would so far forget his obligations to
the country as to inform the press of matters
| under elaboration and before these matters
were even reported to the Senate Now that
| he Is president OF the Senate the policy of Sc
crecy will. no doubt, be rigidly insisted upon.
and Mr. Edmunds Is doomed to much vexation
| because Of the activity and persistency of the
press.