The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1896-12-05
SENATE STARS
ABOUT TO SET.
Brilliant Statesmen Whose De-
parture Leaves Voids
Hard to Fill.
KENTUCKY GENIUS LOST.
EVEN VOORHEES, WILL BE MISSED
HIPS Forensic Power won't BE Shar-
ed by Probable Successor.
GEN. GoRD0N's LABOR OF LOVE.


WASHINGTON, Nov. although
the changes in the personal Of the
United States senate will not be nu-
merous at the beginning of the Fifty
fifth congress, they will be eonspicu-
Gus. Many years have passed since
so many prominent figures have been
retired at the same time, as will be
remanded to lasting private life after
the next senatorial elections.
Voorhees,, glittering spectacle in
public service for 20 years, fluent, SUI
perficial, stentorian, belligerent, often
defeated in battles of his own inyen-
tion, free silverite, greenbacker, SYM
pathizer with the southern rebellion,
sociable, companionable, not the least
of Bohemians in his younger years,
will pass from public view and con-
template whether his deeds are of
sufficient Importance to live after him.
He will be much missed. He will be
regretted. His health is such that
he cannot hope for Remittance 10 the
arena Of political strife.
If ex-President Harrison be not
persuaded to stand for the succession.
Indiana will probably be represented
by no republican of note. Turpie,
whose term will end in 1899, is a
strong intellect, and it would be I'M
complimentary to the dominant party
if they place beside him nobody.
KENTUCKY WILL LOSE IN INFLUENCE.
10 Blackburn will be lamented al
most as greatly as Voorhees,. Impul-
sive, fiery, oftentimes course, he is
yet known as one Of the best fellows
| in the world. He is a notable bon
viyant, and will be missed at Cham
berlain's as well as in the senate.
The strength of Kentucky's represen-
tation in the senate will wane with
| the departure of Blackburn. Lind
say, as the successor Of Beck, has
been a failure. The places OF such
men as Beck, Carlisle, Blackburn and
even of ssCerro Gordo'' Williams, can
not be easily filled, not to go back to
Henry Clay.
Don Cameron, silent and mysteri-
Gus as he has been, will be missed
from his seat, which, by the Sd OF
March, 1897, he will have occupied
continuously for 20 years, almost as
greatly as any senator that could be
named. He was secretary of war fol
President Grant when he was elected
to the senate to succeed. his lamented
| father.
Wishing to retire, wishing his son
to succeed him, recognizing the ro-
bust growth of an anti-Cameron SEN
| timent in the state, the elder man
presented his resignation to the presi-
dent of the senate one Saturday in
1877, after the legislature had adj
jeurned to meet on Monday. Most of
the members were out of the city,
and most of them in Philadelphia.
Bob Mackey was where he was most
needed, and it was all arranged that
Don should be elected on Monday, as
soon as the legislature was called to
order, and before the anti-Cameron
men of the state could learn of the
resignation of the old senator.
WHAT CAMERON ACCOMPLISHED.
There were 20 Republicans in the
house and senate who would have
voted with the Democrats for any ac-
ceptable independent Republican, but
the Democrats preferred Cameron
to a halfway man, and Don was elect
ed by party vote. Andy Dill was a
candidate for the Democratic nomina-
ton for governor
Cameron has really made an excel
lent and useful senator. He has ac-
complished vastly more by his silence,
when there was anything vital to be
done, than others could with theil
mightiest vocal efforts. While ht
has not tried to make himself popular
the friends he has made are worth
having, and they are friends indeed
No member of the senate has done
more in recent years to break down
the antagonism between the north
and the south, which was fostered by
such men as Chandler, ingalls, anC
other mischevous spirits.
Cameron and Quay are directly
credited with the defeat of the last
Federal elections bill. They agreed to
accomplish its gentle though linger
ing death If the Democrats would per
nit the tariff measure Of 1890 to come
to vote. The tariff bill was passed
and the elections bill deferred to tn,
next session. when it calmly glide(
into the sphere where there was nj
hope of resurrection.
None of the retiring members o.
the senate will be regretted more thar
the venerable General Palmer, of Hi
nois, who played part in the lat
elections that will have great place
in the political history of America.
GENERAL PALMER WILL BE MISSED.
Since his advent in the senate il
1891, Palmer has borne a strong hant
in all sorts Of legislation, though ac
cused at times of being little tedi
Gus, garrulous and peevish. He has
always been interesting, however, ant
of how many other senators can tina
be truthfully asserted?
1t goes without saying that tn,
passing of Senator Hill will leave ;
void in the senate. Whether Hill
} was right or wrong, he was strong
Sophist, politician, selfish, isolated
} looking upon party as a machine ant
not a principle, he is regarded as ;
! dangerous antagonist by the mos
confident and experienced debaters
Platt is another of Hills type, bu
will, if he comes to the senate, exhibi
no such forensic power.
Brice, of Ohio and New York, will
be missed, more as an entertainer il
the old Cameron residence than il
the senate. Mrs. Brice has been tn
Mrs. Whitney of this administration
to some extent, though the Brice en-
tertainments have seemed to be les
brilliant, If fully as expensive, a
those Of the late wife of the ex-secre
tary of the navy. Foraker will NOV
wider swath than Brice oratorically
though he may not socially.
Villas, of Wisconsin, will hardl
give place to weaker man. He ha
been blustery and irritable. Senator
do not like to be lectured, especial
by one who poses as the mouthpiec
: OF president who is not popular wit
any except few cuckoos of the Amer
lean house Of lords.
GEN. aoRDoN's LABOR OF LOVE.
That grand old confederate, Gener
al Gordon. of Georgia, retires iron
choice, and will devote the remainde
of his life to the work in which h