Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-01-02
THE MIDDLEBURY REGISTER'S SLUi
UPON SEATOR MORRILL,

To the Editor of the Free Press:
The moss grown tradition regarding the
lack of honor given TO n prophet in his
own country Is forclbly suggested by n
rather clumsy and pointless allusion to
Senator Morrill, in the Middlebury Regis.
ter, which comments upon Il recent Free
Press paragraph, complimenting Kim on
his selection to be again chairman OF the
Senate committee on finance.
During the past four years have con-
stantly noticed and often heard attention
called to the fact that in the body. where
he Is the oldest member, Senator Morrill,
IL one of the most constant and vigilant
in attention to his public duties. II "a
doubtless true that he is not so strong
lunged as some OF the younger men of the
Senate, but it is strength of brains rather
than of vocal organs that counts. Talk
is cheap here: 1t Is not the making Of
speeches that really influences legislation
but the character and standing of the
mon who propose and support measures.
AIR Reed says: This Congress is 10 de-
batting school,"
Senator Morrilrs past is part OF Yer
monts history that his State probably
appreciates. but the insnuation that his
usefulness Is n matter of the past. rather
than of the present, Is n mistaken one.
New England has managed to retain her
predominance of influence In Congress
through the years white her representa-
ton proportional TO the rest OF the country.
has constantly decreased. by her custom
of sending good men here and keeping
them here. Whatever mans abilities, a.
least one term in Congress is required TO
acQuaint him with its business methods
so that he can be of much use 10 his con
stituency, and the man Is unusually for
tunatc or exceptionally able who can &c.
complish great things In his second term.
-.
which follow the theory of giving every
fellow n chance at the pie counter lind
their members relegated to back seats and
second rate committees, while committee
chairmanshps are monopolzed by the
east, for the simple reason that the older
members are best able to manage tho
business of Congress.
Senator Morrill, Is to be found in his
place at the Senate. representing his peo-
pie by his vote on matters of consequence
and by his voice as often as there is &C.
casion to speak. II this could have been
said of Nermonts representatives always.
as IL can be Of her present delegation, who
would have cause to complain. Ii Is not
recorded that kilograms have been seek
ing Senator Morrill, about the country
when his party has small majority and
party measures of foremost Importance
were to be brought to a vote. once dur
ing the extreme heat of the long silver
session he retired TO his home in Vermont
for rest, | believe, but only after many
younger and more able bodied men had
been driven from the field. No opinion up
on financial or business questions is more
valued in the Senate than his, with the
exception, perhaps of Senator Sherman
and his influence ovcrreaches party lines
If honored age and experience acquired
in the service of his State, be a bar to pre-
ferment then the Registers attempts to be
facetious at the expense of the senator's
years may be well taken. But If they are
inspired by any candidacy for the seat
which Senator Morrill, fills. the aspirant
has chosen style of campaigning which
IN the eyes OF most Vcrmonters, belttles
its author not its object.
ROBERT NJ. COLLINS.
Washington, Dec. II, 1898.