The times., 1898-12-28
GENERAL PoLIT1cAL@
NOTES AND GOSSIP.

which is belieYed TO be question of few
hours, and mhy occur before these lines
are set in type. will take from the Senate
one of its most interesting and picturesque
characters. Mr.. Morrill, began his Congress
sional career as a representative in the
| Thirtyfourth Congress, and he served
continuously in the Senate since 1868. He
had already broken Thomas Benten's rec
ord OF thirty years in the Senate, and If he
had lived to serve out his present term he
would have had thirty-six years of un-
broken service in the Senate to his credit.
But az it is. Senator Morrill, has estab-
lished j new record in the length of his
service in the upper branch of Congress.
| and it viii probably be some time before 1t
is exceiled. Senator morrill, was actively
| engaged in the discharge Of his senatorial
duties up TO the time Congress adjourned
for its usual holiday recess. Personally
he enjoyed gre, popularity with his COL
leagues and there is no doubt but that his
State would have continued 10 re-elect him
if his life had been prolonged for ten years
or more.
Senator MOrriII's Probable Succes-
sor.-Last Summer report was circulated
that Senator Morrill, contemplated resign
ing his seat in the Senate. Gov. Grout, of
Vermont, who has long been nursing 4
senatorial ambition, addressed a letter to
the senator politely inquiring as to the
truth of the rumor. Senator Morrill,, in
his reply, was almost facetious. He denied
having any intention OF resigning and ad-
ded that he was looking forward TO re-
election at the expiration of his term in
1903, Gov. Crout viii doubtless make an
effort to succeed Senator Morrill,, but YER
monters in Washington say that he will
not get there without a fight. There are,
they say, at least half dozen prominent
residents of the Green Mountain State
who have been waiting patiently to step
into Morrills shoes. If they all enter
the race in earnest the contest Will be
the most exciting in the history of the
State. Among the gentlemen who have
been gazing with longing eyes on Senator
Morrill's seat is DR.. Seward Webb, a SON
in-law of the late William H. Vanderbilt
DR.. Webb took up his residence in Yer
mont number of years ago, and he has
erected one of the most palatial country
residences in New England. His hospi-
tality has been most lavish. but the peo-
pie of Vermont have shown an old-fash-
ioned preference for brains over money
in the selection of their representatives
in the United States Senate. Whether
they will adhere to their oldtime tradi
tion in this respect remains to be demon
strated.
The death of Senator Morrill, will be a
blow to the anti-expansionists OF the
Hoar- -Hale-Vest type. He was strongly
opposed to the whole proposition of ex-
tending the boundaries of this country be-
yond the sea. He was one of the few Re-
publican senators who voted last Summer
against the annexation of the Hawaiian
Islands. AS chairman of the Finance
Committee or the Senate Senator Morrill,
welded a great deal of power. Senator
Allison of Iowa is the second man on
the committee, but as he is now chairman
of the Appropriations Committee it is not
likely that he win relinquish that position
to become chairman of the Finance Com
mittee- Senator Aldrich. of Rhode ISL
and, who is next in line, will probably
succeed to Senator Morrills place at the
head of the committee. Senator Aldrich
has been the virtual chairman of the FL
nance Committee for some time. He took
charge of the Dingiey tariff bill when it
reached the Senate and under his manage
ment some four or five hundred amend
ments were added to that measure.
Mr.. Bryan still TnI.>ing.-Mr Bry-
an made flying trip from his home. in
Lincoln, Neb.. to Chicago yesterday. He
told a reporter that he still favored the
prompt ratification of the peace treaty. but
thought that the Philippines should Ie-
ceive the same treatment that we propose
to give to Cuba. In other words, it was
our duty, in his judgment, TO help the
people of those islands form an indie
pendent and stable government. Speaking
of the silver question, Mr.. Bryan said:
The silver question is stronger than it
two years ago. and there is no reason, so far as |
can see. why the United States Senate might not
be changed back to the side of silver in 1901. We
are told that after March cannot hope for
favorable financial legislation during the next six
years. do not agree with the proposition. Tht
apparent heavy majority predicted now can, aud
| believe will. be wiped out two years hence,
when the terms Of as many senators win expire as
go out next March.
Blaine's SOn-in-Law in Politics.
Truyton Beale, former minister to Persia
and a son-in-law of the late James G.
Blaine, would like to be elected TO succeed
Senator Stephen NJ. White of California.
From his published interviews Mr.. Beale
reveals the interesting fact that his cleo
tiou is to a certain extent necessary to
preserve the stability and safety of the
Republic. He is quoted as saying:
Many of my friends thought that on account of
nv acquaintance with the public men in wash
ington and for other reasons mot stated | could
be efficient there the representative of the pub
lie interests of this State; but find that the fight
for senatorship is being carried on by the adher
ents of some Of the candidates without reference
to the public at all.
With true Anglo-SaXon cOmplacency, we point
to the Dreyfus case and say that France is go
ing to the dogs for the want of civic virtues and
public morality. when we ourselves have paral-
lei state of affairs existing now in California. l
believe that in many respects superior to
the French but can assure you that if such
state of politics as has suddenly been revealed
here revealed in France far more public in
terest and public indignation would have fol-
lowed.
An awakening of public interest is condition
precedent to any remedy. II by an aroused public
opinion the United States Constitution could be
so amended that senators could be chosen directly
by popular vote the scandalous condition that
confronts us now would be less likely to occur.
Another way would be by monster petition,
such was tried. believe in the case OF Seth
Low in New York. Still another way. though
very imperfect one, would be by all the Repub
lcans in all the congregations of all the churches
remaining in church after the service. allowing
the ministers and priests TO take the vote, and
send it to the legislature.
The legislature Of California will miss
glorious opportunity If it fails to elect Mr.
Beale to the Senate.
West Virginia Senate Contest
A telegram from Charleston, W. Va, says:
Several important secret meetings Of the politi-
cal leaders of both parties in this State have been
held recently and both sides are preparing for
one of the warIriest fights in the history Of the
State when the new legislature opens in the conf
ing month. The plan OF the Republicans, out .
lined by one man, is as follows: The senate being
strongly Republican candidates OF this faith can
be easily seated. In the house. where the Demo-
Gratis will have a small majority, some Republi-
cans will be unseated; for every Republican who
loses his seat in the lower body Democrat will
go out in the senate. Should the fight go against
the Republicans they would withdraw and organ
ize a new house. and Gov. Atkinson and the State