The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-11-26

been II years in the senate, giving him
aquarter of century of congressional
experience. The older Mr.. Hoar grows,
the better natured, mellower, more joe
ular and mischievous. If he continues
to improve, he will soon be one Of the
recognized humorists of congress.
Joe Blackburn is agood deal of stay
er himself. Ten years in the house and
nine in the senate is his record, and he
doesn't appear day older than he did 10
years ago. Mr.. Wilson Of Iowa is only a
year behind him. Senator German is one
of the youngsters, having been only 13
years member of the senate, but as he
said the other day in speech, he has
been nearly quarter of century in
the body as page, official and senator.
Two real veterans are the senators
from Nevada. Mr.. Jones has been 81
years q member of the upper branch,
and Mr.. Stewart 10 years. The latter
started first, rs long ago as 1854, but he
was defeated for one term by Mr.. Fair.
Mr. Mcpherson of New Jersey, who will
soon have to step down, has been II
years senator. Mr.. Ransom of North
Carolina has been here nearly 90 years.
His colleague, Mr.. Vance, has been
10 years in congress, four years in the
house. Don Cameron has made two
speeches during the II years Of his
senatorial career, while his great chum,
Mr.. Butler OF South Carolina, has
made an average of 10 addresses year
during his 10 years of service. Mr.. Coke
of Texas, who makes few speeches, but
chews cords Of tobacco, has also been q
senator 10 years. His colleague, Mr..
Mills, is just starting his third decade in
the congressional harness, having come
to the house in 1878.
Old Timers In the House.
A large number of the old timers are
still in the house. There is Mr.. ONeill
Of Philadelphia, who began in the Thirty
eighth congress and has been q member
of every congress since, excepting only
the Forty-second. If he lives to finish
this congress, he will have 80 years of
service behind him. Mr.. Holman, who
is Mr.. O'Neill's rival for the title of "Fa-
Their of the House," started four years
earlier, or in the Thirty-sixth congress,
but missed three terms through the fail
ure Of his constituents to properly ap-
preciate his services as watchdog of the
treasury. So he and O'Neill have served
the same length of time.
Mr.. Bland, the silver champion, is q
grizzled veteran Of many battles. He is
just starting his twenty-frst year as
member of the house, fighting for silver
all the time. Mr.. Bingham of Philadel-
phia is now serving his eighth term,
during every one of which he has waged
battle for liberal appropriations in sup
port of the national postal system.
Julius Cesar Burrows of Michigan has
had as many hard political battles as
any other man in the country, but usn-
ally manages to come up smiling. He
first came here 90 years ago, but has
missed three terms. Joe Cannon of Hi
nois has been luckier. He started at the
same time Burrows did, but has missed
only one reelection. G. A. Boutelle of
Maine is in his sixth term and in all
probability will remain in congress as
long as he likes. Down in Maine the
voters evidently believe in hanging to
the good men. for Mr.. Dingley has been
seven times elected to the house, and
being an editor and one of the Oldest
men in that body the chances are he will
be sent back seven times more. Mill
ken, also of Maine, has had six terms.
Well Known Veterans.
David B. Culberson of Texas, one of
the solid, brainy men of congress, has
been a member of the house for 18 years.
General Hooker, the one armed Chester
field of Mississippi, is only two years be-
hind Culberson. Mr.. Hatch of Missouri.
generally known as Farmer Hatch, is
serving his eighth term. Mr.. Harmer of
Philadelphia ranks in the same class
with O'Neill and Holman. This is his
eleventh congress. General Tom Hen
derson of Illinois is now Just rounding
out his 20 years in congress.
To look at Benton McNlillin of Ten
nessee you wouldn't think him old
enough to have been IS years in congress.
Yet that is his record. General Oates of
Alabama, the one armed fighter, is in
his seventh term. A genuine old timer
is Mr.. Springer of Illinois-the man
without enemies and with hosts of friends
who is also just finishing up his 20
years in congress.
Thomas B. Reed has been in congress
long enough to become familiar with the
ropes and the rules Of the house, and the
indications are that he has used his OPP
portunities to good advantage. If he
finishes this congress, he will have 18
years to his credit-two of them very
large and active years.
There are now in the house SO men
who have been elected to five or more
terms in that body. In this list, besides