The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-07-09
MITCHELL ON SILVER
Oregon Senator interviewed
by the AstOrian.
HIS STRAIGHT OUT TALK
Thinks That the Legislature Made q
Mistake in Losing Dolph's
Hard-Earned Experience.

An Astorian representative interviewed
Senator John H. Mitchell on Sunday
concerning several matters of public in
terest. The senator is an interesting
talSer and always expresses himself for
chilly and clearly on the Issues of the
day.
Senator Dolphs defeat and the election
Of Senator Mcbride was the first matter
touched on. Mr.. Mitchell said: People
unaccustomed to the usages of the SEN
ate can hardly realize how very much
the failure to return Senator Dolph will
affect the interests Of Oregon. No one
who knows Mr. Mcbride, myself least Of
all who, know him so well. will deny
that in ability and sound common sense
he is the peer of any man in the state.
But when he goes to Washington at the
coming session 1t will be an uphill
struggle for him to acquire influence
enough to obtain a seat ON any commit
tees of Importance, and for every COM
mittee position vacated by Mr.. Dolph
there will be dozens of applicants, all Of
them men who have been several years in
harness at Washington. And need not
tell you that MIR. Mcbride, being the
youngest member of the senate, will stand
a very small chance. 1t Is the commit
tee work that counts. Up to the time Of
Mr.. Dolphs defeat 1t was matter of
common knowledge at the capital that the
two senators from Oregon between them
held far more and higher committee
positions per man than any other sena-
tors. 1t was the result Of years Of un.
firing work towards that end, work which
now has been very greatly impaired be
cause we are returning a new man. Mr.
Dolph's retirement WAS a very great sur
prise to the Republican senators. and Mi
reputation among them as a powerful an
vigilant defender of oregon's Interest,"
stood very high. His successors nam,
has been the cause of great deal o.
speculation and inquiry, and l am pleased
to say that Mr.. Mcbride is already looked
on In Washington as brilliant and able
man. But, as I say the ironclad though
unwritten laws of the senate that gov.
ern the choice of members for commit
tees will act against his progress in this
direction for long time. I am particu-
larly anxious about the place on the COM
mittee on commerce left vacant by MIR
Dolph's retirement. This is one of the
most important committees in the senate,
and 1t Is matter OF vital interest to
oregon that she be given q place ON It.
intend, of course, to work night and
day for Mr.. Mcbride, but the claims OF
older members are hard things to get
round and the senate hates departure
from usages that have become rules by
years of constant practice. From sss-
SION to session the committees remain
the same, barring the changes that are
made by reason of vacancies. The SEN
ators representing the party in the ma
jority owe know which party that will
be the next time" said Mr.. Mitchell, smil-
lng) caucus together and make out their
list of committees, giving themselves
enough men on each COMMITTEES to form
a majority of one. The list is then handed
TO the senator's of the other party, which,
in caucus, adds the names of its repre-
sentatives to this committee, the whole
being presented to- and ratified by the
vice president. Invariably when new
man is placed on o committee he Is
chosen from among ten to twenty appli-
cants for the position, and his name
stands last on that committee. From
there to the chairmanship is matter
Of years of work and patient waiting,
Men above him retire or die, and he
goes up by slow degrees accordingly Mr..
Dolph held at least two important chair
manships that are lost to oregon for
many years"
How are you Republicans down In
clatsop, anyway" and the senator
wheeled off to another subject rs there
much of division on this money ques.
ton, or have you all made up your minds
to pull together"
The reporter didn't like to announce
that he knew more about the local stu
alton than Mr. Mitchell, and suggested
that the senator had undoubtedly many
correspondents In the county who keel
him posted.
"Yes. OF course, keep my eyes open,
continued MIR, Mitchell. "You would bs
astonished to know the Number OF let.eri
get every day from all parts Of the state