Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-15
How He is Regarded in the Southern
States.
RECENT CHANGES FROM THAT SECTION
Younger Men With New Policies
Coming to the Front.
THE OLD LEADERS FAILED

state, who, two years ago, on account OF
poor health, left the Senate by resignation.
Two years Of his term remained, and he
had just been reelected for a full term
His desire was to leave office altogether,
but it was decided that he could not resign
the full term until he had entered upon it.
That term began on the 4th instant, and,
as Gen. Walthalps health is now almost
entirely restored it is thought likely he
may reconsider his former intention and
return to his senatorial duties. Republic
cans as well as democrats sincerely hope
so. He is regarded as one Of the most
substantial and attractive men the south
of late years has called to her service.
Changes in Southern Senators.
But the case of Senator George presents
a different aspect, and is thought to en-
phasize an important phase of political
development. An era in the south that has
pre- duced great earnestness and activity
and recorded many lasting results is rapid
ly drawing to a close The old leadership
is disappearing either voluntarily, or by
DEATH or by the hard fortunes of war. The
Senate particularly is showing the change.
Vance and Ransom Of North Carolina,
Hampton and Butler of South Carolina,
Hunton of Virginia, Camden of West Viz
ginia. Coke of Texas. and now. presently,
George of Mississippi make up the list
These men were all prominent In the move
ment that restored the democracy to local
contests growing out of the reconstruction
laws. In all Of that period OF storm ana
stress they were in the forefront OF the
battle. Some Of them, indeed, won their
national spurs in those engagements, and
made themselves SO popular with their peo-
pie that for years the hottest rivalries were
unable to dislodge them. Hampton Butler,
Hunton, Ransom and Camden have but just
6fSn1acad could
other term had he SO signifed, and George,
it is said is yielding merely to desire for
rest But the fact remains that, Tor one
reason or another, the old leaders are go
ing, and very shortly the south Will be
represented in Congress by new and very
much younger men. An old era Is closing
A new era is opening. What does TINS por-
tend in the national life!
The south's Old Leadership.
It is observed that the south's old lead
ership has failed to score on the national
as it Dad on the local stage. In its own
bailiwick it was irresistible. 1t unmade the
old state governments. it set up new and
it framed and executed laws that rendered
1t impossible for the opposition, in an eff
fort extending over full twenty years, to
retake any Of the lost citadels Of power.
This showed not only resolution. but the
capacity for administering affairs when
once obtained. But the authors OF that
success,
found a much more difficult situation con-
fronting Them and they have not appeared
to master 1t as they did the other. They
have advocated the free coinage of silver,
but have not secured it. They have in
sisted that the tariff should be reduced to
a revenue basis, but have been obliged to
accept a measure recognizing protection In
all Of its schedules. They have not been
Jealous for the civil service law, and yet
a President whom they helped to put In
office has extended the operations of that
law Until 1t covers a wide expanse OF the
public places. This is the record. Will the
new men improve upon 1t? And. II SO, Will
1t be by showing more capacity IN pushing
the old policies or by supporting new pol
icies more in consonance with supposed
wants of the new times?
A Possible Change of Policy.
Some shrewd observers of affairs believe
that the south is to become in the near
future a potent factor in the support OF
measures which for years she has been
bitterly opposing. She. like other sections
of the country, has had valuable instruc-
ton from recent experiences. She has been
studying business from the most practical
standpoint, and she has been aided in this
by the men with capital, who have come to
her from the north with the view OF push
ing their own as well as her fortunes.
This has brought about, and is still bring
ing about new conditions, which, of neceS-
sky, call for new leaders. The old lawyers,
with their wide reading on constitutional
questions, will, 1t is predicted, give way
to men Of a more compact and immediate
grasp of affairs, and these, when they get
firmly settled in their places, will address
themselves more to everyday business than
to political discussion. The question with
them will be not so much as to what is
permissible under the general welfare
clause of the Constitution as to what may
be enacted into law and executed for the
general welfare of the country. So that, as
some men are forecasting the near future,
the south Is entering on an era where CAPT.
tai is to cut larger figure in her affairs
and where representative men will reflect
in their votes and speeches in Congress
more the sentiment Of the counting room
than the court room, more the experience
of a close graphing with practical affairs
in law offices.
In cases like those of Senators Coke and
George there is always respectful curiosity
expressed as to how men, after eighteen
years of prominent political life at the
Capitol here, can bear the thought Of re-
tirement in some distant town and Of TAX
ing up again with the private life of home.
There is an idea that the change is so
great it shuts out the possibility of happi-
ness. Statesmen out of a job are supposed
to be constantly haunted by desire to
return to office. But some of them are
known to enjoy this sort of rest obtained
after long siege at the bellows.
A Retired Senator.
The figure of an ex-United States Senator
in retirement in a small city or town is,
as drawn by those familiar with the life
in such places. a very attractive one. He
continues to the end of his days a man of
the highest local interest. The bar, the
clergy and the local press all rally around
him. He interprets all questions of nation
al consequence for the community. II he
is a lawyer his Office Is the resort of all
who share his favor and are interested in
the discussion of public affairs. There Is
never any appeal from his decision. He
continues thus, though out Of actual COM
mission. to lay down the law to a large
number of his former constituents. The
length of time he may have been absent
from Washington never impairs his au-
thority. He once was there, and that is
enough. Then, at the close, the community
yields to profound and unaffected sorrow.
Grape on the ex-Senator's door is the Sig
nal for a general suspension of business.
The streets are thronged, the local socie-
ties and the militia are all called out, a
long line is formed and at the head is the
local brass band playing a slow march,
which temporarily arrests grief and adds
a new terror to death. 1t is not SO very
dull being an ex-senator and living among
appreciative people.