The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-08-18
THEY STOOD UP BOLDLY.
Western Senators Who Have Made
Records During the Past
Few Years,
Not Overawed by Precedent or
Regardful of the Alleged SEN
atorial Dignity.
Asted sinply ~ Mon Among Others, and
ef EQUAL Rights with Those
of the East.

WARRINGTON, Aug. T.-During the Fifty
frst and Fifty-sscond sessions OF the ma
tional congress-. there has bsen a Rrea,
shaking mp of dry bones In The United
States senate. Scenes and incidents tha'
must have appeared very strange 10 some Of
the old and dignined members of this
branch have occurred during this period.
The traditions Of this very digniied and
straight-laesd body have bsen ovsrriddsn
more than once during tho past two sss'
sions. New blood has bssn the cause OF II
all, and il can be said TO the credit OF tbs
great west that the breezy and taking ways
Of the new men sent from that section OF
the country to the American house of lords
have snlivsned the proceedings and made
the somewhat dreary sessions OF the senate
very interesting at times. From Colorado
has como Wolcott; from Wyoming. Warren
and Carey; from Warrington. Allen; from
Minnesota, Washburn: from Wisconsin,
Villas; from North Dakota, Hans
brough and Casey, and from South Da-
kota, Frank Pettigrew. Previous to the
Fifty-frst session a new man coming to tho
senate was vsiy much pleased II the old
members in that body permitted him to live
and breathe without receiving actual consent
from soms Of the old grey boards every day.
II Z new man attempted to say anything or
take more than = routine part in the p;o-
seedlings hs was Immediately nat upon and
crushed by the elder members. A man had
to serve nearly a six years term in this
branch before it was conceded that he had a
right to make q speech or take part in any
of the debates that occurred. All this has
changed. The new men have played the
principal and most sensational roles in the
isuats during the past three years.. 1t can
be said Of Wolcott, of Colorado, that he
cares nothing for the ancient traditions of
tho senate. and, if he sees a head he wants
to strike, he Immediately reaches out and
in his most determined manner pro-
cseds to club it. He does not
seem to be awed by any Of the important
and has evinced a determination to attack
everybody that comes under his bane, from
president down to a special agent OF the
land Office. Some people question the
policy that Woloott has pursued while
Others claim shat his advent into the senate
has done that branch very much good.
Those who think that Wolcott has been too
determined and a little too aggressive for a
new member declare that before he closes
out the first term of his senatorial career
that he will have very little influence owing
10 the fact that he is likely to make enemies
of nearly all his colleagues. Wolcott.
however. does not appear to be bothered by
any Of the criticisms passed upon bis course.
Senator Nashburn has been very prom
inent since taking his senatorial seat. and
it can b said for him that NO man has ap-
peared in the public print so often as he
and that but few mon have pushed through
80 much legislation or attempted the kind
of legislation that Washburn has, and
which has created 30 much interest. his
a%nti-option bill has set the country all agoR
during the past few months.
Senator Villas, of Wisconsin. came to the
senate having tho prestige of a cabinet Of
icer and more was expected OF him than of
the ordinary new member The Wisconsin
man has made himself prominent all along,
and while he has originated little legisla-
ton he has kept a close eye out on the
other fellows and seen to it that they did
not steer through anything that was likely
to be detrimental to the country, or, at
least, detrimental in the eyes of Mr.. Villas.
Senator Allen, Of Washington, has played
more of a local role than q national one,
but he has taken part in the debates upon
some of the leading topics uuuef ulscus-
sion, and his speech on the N~lcaraguan
canal ia considered rs one of the oratorical
gems of the past session.
Senator War: en-, of Wyoming, by reason
of his knowledge of irrigation affairs. has
played a prominent part in legislation
touching that point.
Senator Pettigrew, of South Dakota, by
reason of his being made chat man of the
Worlds fair committee in the senate, has
been in a prominent position during this
session, and Senator Casey, as chairman of
the committee on rail Dads, has also had Il
prominent place. Senator Hansbrough was
not lucky enough to secure a craftsmanship,
but, although not having taken any prom
inent public part in the delibel ations of the
senate during the last session. he has come
to be recognized as a politician of no small
calibre and q pretty good man to tie to as a
friend. This is also one of the attributes
of Senator Pettigrew. TIT political sena-
tors from North and South Dakota are con-
sidered rs among the shrewdest wire pull
ers in the state. Their advice is sought in
very many cases. and, when given, has usu-
ally been followed to a successful point.
Both Pettigrew and Hansbrough will be
heard from later in the deliberations of the
United States senate, and in the political
field as we'll.