Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-04-18
SAWYER AND SPOONER.

Congressman McCord, and asked
that gentleman to give the readers
of The Central the opinion he had
formed upon the recent visit to
Washington, of the Wisconsin
Congressional delegation, and
especially our representatives in
the United States Senate. "The
position Of Wisconsin in the
Senate" he said "is as strong as it
ever has been in the past-even in
the days Of Doolittle, Howe and
Carpenter = Notwithstanding the
fact that both of our Senators are
comparatively new in the body,
Mr.. Sawyer only having served
one term of six years and Col.
Spooner but four years, yet
Mr.. Sawyer is at the head
of the important committee
of post offices and post roads, and
has been practically chairman of
the pension committee for the last
two years. He reported more
pension bills during the past
Congress than any other man has
reported within the past ten years,
and what is more, succeeded in
getting his bills made into laws.
He has been not only efficient,
but generous, in his pension work.
His pension policy had marked
influence in the last campaign in
favor of the Republican cause.
OF course Mr.. Sawyer's long
career in the House naturally
helped him when he entered the
Senate, and this, together with his
personal popularity with public
men at Washington, made it easy
for him to secure good committee
places almost at once.
The intelligent citizen will
understand that the influence of a
member Of Congress in public
affairs is almost wholly dependent
upon his position upon the
committees. In this respect
Senator Sawyer is second to no
man in that great body. Outside
and beyond this MIR. Sawyer is
personally very strong in the
Senate and before the departments.
Any cause that he earnestly
espouses has a most powerful
advocate, with large chances of
winning. Though not speaker,
he is a most persuasive private
conversationalist. When he wants
a thing he knows why he wants it,
and if it is dependent upon the
actions Of others he knows how to
approach them to succeed. In this
respect he is a remarkable man,
with few equals. He is heartily
liked by his colleagues on both
sides OF the chamber and tits hard
for any of them to refuse a request
of his, for he asks nothing but
what he believes is right. While
he never interferes with the affairs
of other Senators, and has no
notion that the welfare Of the
nation rests entirely upon his
shoulders, yet he is an earnest,
loyal Republican, who has we'll
defined views regarding public
affairs and party policies, and
often impresses these on the party
managers in a vigorous and
effective manner. His opinions
are always sought after and
weighed when party affairs are
under discussion, and invariably
found to be sound. He watches
the bill in which his state, or any
of his constituents are interested,
steadfastly, and never forgets his
promises to the office-seekers or
claimant, be he of high or low
degree. These are the real
sources of his strength and
popularity, both at home and in
Washington. Of vigorous mold
Mr.. Sawyer has one Of the finest
faces in the Senate, which, while il
bears the stamp Of individually
and ability, is yet kindly auc
attractive. His genial manners
and western approachableness
makes him much sought after by
those looking for office and others
in need of assistance pecuniary
and otherwise IN,1Ia he =