Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-12-31
QUIET MEN,
But Their Influence is Strongly Felt
in Congress.
BisseIl Thinks He is in Love With Postal
Affairs.

eery little, and who are still almost IL
control of legislation in congress. have
il mind two such men at the present
,loment, enc in either house. Very little
Il said in the newspapers about Senator
Aldrich of Rhode Island. No stories are
old Of him, there is but an Insignificant
amount of gossip concerning him, he rare
ly makes an important speech, and espe-
cially among western and southern read
ers it may be presumed there are many
people who have never heard OF him. Yet
lie is today perhaps the most powerful
man in the senate chamber. 1t is well
known that up to the day of the adjourn
ncnt for the holiday recess the Democratic
majority of the senate had practically con-
fcssed its inability to carry on legislation
this winter. They may take hold next
month and do something, but as the rec
ord now stands they have accomplished
nothing. The man who has done more
than any other to bring about this re-
nlarkablo state of affairs is Mr.. Aldr1ch.
He is practically the leader on the Repub-
lican side. Mr.. Sherman is of course
more commanding figure as to questions,
but Mr.. Aldrich, as chairman of what Is
known as the Republican steering COM
mittee, is exceedingly powerful as to busl-
ness. 1t happens that Mr.. Aldrich ana
Senator German usually have pretty
good understanding, and it has become
one Of the axioms of the senate chamber,
not wholly joke either that if you want
anything done it is not necessary to see
any enc but German and Aldrich.
Quiet, but Influential.
Another case in point is afforded by
Congressman Catchings of Mississippi.
10 Nl..fch at the other end of the capt.
tel, he is Il quiet man, little talked OF in
the rctysDupers and not much known un-
til President Cleveland addressed an open
letter To him concerning the tariff ques-
ton last summer. Mr.. Catchings is, next
to Speaker Crisp, the most influential
member Of the house He is close friend
of tic speaker and was, his campaign
when the gentleman from
Georgia first won the speakership. He is
a member of the committee on rules, OF
which The speaker is chairman, and this
little committee, with only five members.
practically controls tho house, says what
business shall be taken up and when and
on what occasions special orders concern
ing debate and the taking of votes shall be
reported. There are three Democratic
members Of this committee, and of course
the Democrats decide all questions. The
speaker and Mr.. Catchings are majority
Of tho Democratic part of the committee,
and these two men, therefore, are virtually
rulers of the house. 1t is not always the
man who makes the most noise that wields
the greatest influence in the affairs OF
party and legislation.
R.rs. Kate Chase.
Much sympathy is expressed here foz
Mrs. Kate Chase, daughter of Chief JUS
ticc Chase, On account of her financial
troubles. Immediately after the holidays
the furniture, pictures and other house
hold belongings and works of art of this
famous woman are to be sold for debt.
Among the articles to fall under the ham
lner are bust of the chief justice and
number of presents given to him in the
heyday of his fame. Notwithstanding all
her troubles Mrs. Chase manages to keep
up brave heart and proper appearance.
l saw her the other day, and she was
attired and had u smile oil her
face even as she spoke of her misfortunos.
Traces of her former remarkable beauty
and in the charm of her manner
one can find explanation of the popularity
which was once hers. Old timers about
the capital say no woman ever reigned
moro surely as queen here than did Mrs
Chase 25 years ago. 1t is not nearly so
many years as that since president oil
the United States and senatorial friend
OF his were in the habit Of driving two or
three times Il week to Mrs. Chase's house
tho Edgewood, which the chief justice
loved so well and which is now advertised
to be sold at auction--for an evenings
chat with the former belle. Mrs. Chase
has always taken keen interest in politics.
and it is not many years since certain
presidential aspirant habitually sought
her advice before acting.
Ono of tho happiest men in Washington
is Postmaster General Bissell. He loves
his work. is thoroughly infatuated with
the postoflice department and seemingly Is
able to think or talk of nothing else. He
is an enthusiast concerning the future of
the postal machine and / dare say sin
cerely regrets that he cannot occupy his
present position five or six years i'll order
to be able to carry ont his ideas. do not
think he cares for the pomp or dignity of
Office, for he Is one of the most urassum-
ing Of men. His face is always wreathed
in smiles. and there is no moro approach
able man in the cabinet than he. But he
is in love with his work and his friends
say would bo clad to stay where he is
through another administration without
pay for the satisfaction of carrying out
certain things on which he has set his
heart. Mr. Wanamakcr had the same feel
ing toward tho postal service while in of
flee. There ~ something about this great
organization, With its enormous possibili-
ties Of usefulness and development, that
takes hold ct the imaginations and affec-
tions of men ea!led upon to direct it for
term Of gears RoBEET GRAVES.