Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-06-26

In the April Forum Mr.. Hoar replied to
some criticisms as to the degeneracy OF
the Senate, and championed the body OF
which he IL a member with some warmth
and at some length. He insisted that not
only was the Senate of today composed
of m IN of excellent capacity and character.
Lut. insti.uting a comparison between this
day and days of the past as to personal
department of senator's and the atmosphere
surrounding that body. he held that the
record. instead Of degeneracy. actually
showed Improvement In the situation here.
In support of his contention, Mr.. Hoar.
among other things. noted greatly i'm
proved courtesy in debate He cited some
of the rasping personalities INDUCED in
by some of the foremost senators forty and
fifty years ago. and asserted that such
things were quite impossible now. He men
toned the fact that intoxication, which was
all too common among public men at an
earlier day, was now very rare. He insist
ed. too. that 1t was possible now to discuss
more subjects and at greater length than
formerly. and he likewise held that lobby
Ing for private ends. once so common and
offensive. was now gone
In the light of Mr.. Hale's resolution, and
Of what many other Senators are well
aware of. IT would be Interesting to know
upon what Mr.. Hoar based his observa-
lions about the decay of lobbying In and
around the Senate chamber Mr. Hoar Is
aot blind man. Neither Is he deaf or dull.
He Is active man. and one of the most
prominent and influential members of the
Senate. And yet he thinks that lobbying
In the Senate. has observed 1t growing so
rapidly he publicly moves to check 1t. while
Mr.. Allen, who sits on the other side of the
chamber, complains that lobbyists are
thick around the Capitol Senators cannot
move about with comfort. How does Mr.
Hoar account for this difference of opinion?
Or does he wish us to believe that. in COM
parison with the old days. lobbying at this
day Is a mere bagatelle? Hardly that. Mr..
Hoar Is not humorist.
The truth is that In defending the Senate
Mr. Hoar-himself far above all suspicion
simply repealed without discrimination, and
In a spirit of generosity. everything that
had been advanced In criticism of that
body. or of its members as individuals.
That position Is not tenable. While the
Senate is at times unduly and unfairly
criticised, at other times criticism levelled
against 1t Is entirely within bounds and
fully justified. In certain particulars. and
with regard to the practices of certain men.
there has been a change for the worse of
recent years.
Fifty years ago or Whereabouts the Sem
ate aside from the giants like Webster,
Clay and Calhoun, was made UP of pretty
big men. There were such men as VIM.
L. Marcy. Silas Wright. Choate. Winthrop,
Clayton, Frelinghuysen, Dayton, Buch-
anan, Dallas. Hamilton Fish. Dix. Seward,
George E. Badger. Reverdy Johnson. VIM
p. Mangum. Berrien, John Bell, Douglass,
Tom Corwin John J. Crittenden, Mason,
Thomas Fl. Benton, Lewis Cas5 and SO on.
1t is impossible. indeed, TO conceive of men
like these using their places to enrich
themselves with secrets obtained in office.
or. upon their retirement from Office. hir-
ing out to rich corporations to push their
interests before Congress with the aid of
privileges they enjoyed ex-officials.
Insulting language in debate is simply
bad manners. and defeats itself. The APP
pearance of a prominent official in public
in a state of intoxication is a shocking
thing. but only the individual himself is
injured. 1t is well that the Senate of today
is spared bUth of those things. and MIR.
Hoar did we'll in calling attention to the
fact But they are insignificant offenses.
although deplorable. in comparison with
that to which Mr.. Hale's resolution calls
attention. Lobbying by ex-ofiicials among
their former associates Is reprehensible in
the extreme. 1t ought not longer to be
tolerated 1t is calculated to bring the
most serious discredit upon the entire SEN
ate. when, a.. matter of fact the large
maj6 Hty of that body Is composed of men
of unimpeachable integrity and ability,
whom the country today trusts and
spects.
Mr.. Hale is on the right tack, and should
be vigorously supported. The Senate ought
to cleanse itself. and then keep clean.