Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-14
THE vERMoNT SENATOR LEADS.
What Is John Shermans' Loss Has Be
come SenStor Edmupd's Gain.
Fran IL Mn Yorf- FnrlI


From The Ee,o YORK World.
W WASHINGTON, Jan. Tt is evident
that Mr.. sherman has made a mis-
take in accepting the office OF the Presi-
dency of the Senate. 1t is said that he
himself now believes this. lie is prac-
tically lost from the debates OF the Senate.
lie could hardly be more retired If he
were in private life. The position of the
PRESIDENT OF the Senate is one which can
contribute nothing to the Importance of
an obscure man and detracts greatly
Irom the position OF a leading one. The
only advantages in it are the increase
OF salary, the extra room and the special
stan OF clerks. The relative obscurity Of
me Office Is we'll illustrated in Senator
Edmunds' case. At the time he accepted
the Presidency of the Senate he was the
most conspicuous leader on the Republic
can side. During his term as presiding
OIncer OF the Senate he lost his position
upon the Senate floor, and through his
long enforced silence stories were circu-
lated to the effect that he was tired Of
public life and had lost his old Zest for
public discussions. The world Of politics
moves on with great rapldity and the
man who Is out Of its current is soon left
behind. however prominent he may have
been. MIR. Edmunds. since be has stepped
down from the presiding officers chair
back to the floor, has given the most con-
spicu0us evidence of mis- great ability by
the ease with which he has returned TO
his old position as leader. Within the
very short time since the meeting OF the
Senate he has pat TO the rout all OF the
stories when nave been circulated about
his failing powers. Never in his best
days has he appeared more alert, more
aggressive and more dominating in push
ing for the ascendaucy Of his ideas than
now. He is always in mis- seat, and while
be often appears 10 be rapt in the brown
study OF silent abstraction he vet is CON
scious OF every word which is SAID dur
ing the debates. He shows his readiness
IN taking advantage Of any slip which is
made.
One of the Senators yesterday who does
not like the Vermont Senator spoke sBeer-
lngly of him IN connection with the
pending anti-polygamy bill. He said
that the Senate Chamber had been turned
into tabernacle, and that Edmuuds was
posing there az tGe bigh priest of morality.
Without intending 1t this Senator paid
the NermOnter a high compliment. Since
Mr. Edmunds has returned to the floor he
has setOledYery clearly the question OF his
reelection. AS long as lie WAS IN the
comparative Obscurity Of the acting Vice
Presidency the opposition TO him IN YER
mont was able 10 make some headwav.
But the moment that he returned to the
no0r bis enemies are willing to admit
that he Will be reelected without any
struggle. His ripe experience on the
floor, his great skill as a dpbGter and
originator OF legislation give Vermont a
prOminece IN the Senate which she might
not obtain again for century if soc
were To retire this veteran and begin eX-
perimenlng in the direction OF new and
untried men.
senator Eumunds is very devoted to ms
family. He refused several years ago the
offer of a seat upon the bench of the SUI
preme Court because his acceptance
would have kept MIN nom giving his
whole time aud attention to al invalid
and dying daughter. He has still one
daughter living. Mir. Edmunds is not
often seen out in society, as he is fond
of the quiet of his family circle and Ii.
brary. He is regarded as one of the most
agreeable Of dinner companions. Nc
man can be more companiOnable OI
soclable when he so wills than he.