The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-15
Senators Who J4re
Soon to Retire
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Special Correspondence Of The Tribune.

gress. The flanks of few of the new
members may be gored by the sharr
spur of ambition: yet all are tinglinE
with curiosity. The newcomers gazt
upon the veterans with inquistivt
eyes. as though measuring their ma
tional reputation by their personal ap.
pearance. and the veterans stare crit
icaly at the new recruits, awaiting
their development in committee and
their appearance on the field of dis.
cussion with unconventional interest
All the veterans have been thoroughly
tested, and have settled themselves
into their allotted places, cemented
therein by term of service and legis-
latiye experience. The raw recruit
frequently regards them with awe and
awaits his trial with curiosity born
Of anxiety. No man can escape the
test, however great the reputation he
may have achieved elsewhere. Silent
and deliberate is the examination, but
as strict in it's way as any at either
ANNAPOLIS or West Point. Physical
appearance counts for nothing. An
expansive brow, an expressive face,
and majestic figure may indicate
bodily health. but show an empty, II
rot an intumescent head. They are
not gauges for success. Genius at
times delights in hiding itself In a
shriveled physique. the face diversi-
fled with abnormal features and illu-
minated with eyes on a squint.
Representative David Highbaugh
Smith, of Hodginsville, KY. possesses
an intellect by no means commensu-
rate with his size. He appears to
have been modelled after Alexander H..
stephens. of Georgia, though hardly
as good looking. Not long ago he was
introduced to constituent in Leba-
non. The inhabitants were indulEing
in political barbecue, and the con-
stituent had come in on horseback.
looking for meat, burgoo soup, and
Democratic pabulum. When intro
duced to his congressman. the bony
Corncracker stared at him in utter as
tonishment. "Well, I'll be swizzled!'
he exclaimed. by the livin' gingers.
I'll never vote for another candidate
sight unseen!" That afternoon, how
ever he heard Mr.. Smith on the stump
and became so enthuised that he
whooped like Davy Crockett and
hurled his hat in the air in sheer &c
stacy. by gum" he shouted. as
David descended from the platform,
I'll vote for you. Davy, as long as
Won live: you're a sizzler-a regular
blue grasser and no mistake!" And
he hit the nail on the head, for In
Kentucky Dave Smith is regarded as
one of the most effective stump speak
ers since the days of Tom Marshall.
When a new member ventures into
IL lNI, ln
mt quit work and listen. 1t may be
or moment or for an hour. All de-
,ends upon the neophyte. If he has the
Intellectual sand, he is made; If not.
ne will talk to empty benches ever
after. A quaint opening may attract
attention, but the speech must be we'll
seasoned with argument and bristling
with facts before it will pass muster.
1t is a quick test, terse and decisive.
The veterans are not to be caught with
words alone. They must bear the true
imprint of a statesman, or the tyro is
gone.
Such are some of the ingredients OF
legislative life in the opening sessions
of congress. Far different Is it in the
short or final sessions. They open in
the month succeeding the congressional
elections. This year the canvass was
enlivened by the great contest for the
presidency. 1t is hardly pleasant to
tramp over a battlefield with the killed
and wounded lying around YOU. I'm
canny scenes confront you. At the
opening of the short session of congress
both houses remind YOU of a battle-
field The killed, of course, utter no
cries, and the wounded keep a stiff
upper lip, but their agony at times is
terrible Those who fancy their wounds
are mortal usually make more noise in
the short session than they did in the
long one. They do not talk so much
about the people, and confine them
selves to futile but savage assaults
upon the enemy. AS the people did not
stand by. them in the great battle, they
apparently see no reason why they
should stand by the people. Those Sc
verey but not mortally wounded grid
up their loins, lay in a fresh stock OF
and supplies, and prepare
for the new contest two years hence
All exhibiting ferocious disposition
are mercilessly taunted by the exult-
ant veterans. AT times vengeance is in
the air, and anon the suffering victims
roo as gently as doves.
The present congress Is no exception
to the general rule. Glancing over the
house and the senate you see the killed
and wounded in every corner The per-
centage of mortality is greater in the
senate. There are several illustrious
victims. The most renowned is prob
ably Edward q. Wolcott of Colorado
His ability is unquestioned, and he is
the most brilliant orator
In that body. Wolcott bids adieu to his
associates after a service of twelve
years. He is a wonderful cleaner in
the grain field of opportunity, and if he
cares for political prominence will
quietly bide his time. confident of ulti-
mate success. He ought to be a fix
lure In the senate, for he is really the
link between freezing Dig
nifty and unailoyed gayety. With rare
he PAGES down the avenues
of political life arm-in-arm with Hoar.
the Puritan, and Devil l-may-care Ben
rillman. The best story illustrative of
Wolcott's readiness Is already on it's
travels In the rural press. He was ad-
vertised to speak in a Southern town,
On his arrival at the opera house he
'ound the galleries filled with negroes,
while the parquet was packed with
Although cautioned against
giving vent TO his party predictions,
,e forgot himself. and inserted his gaff
nto the Populist party, At this
,orps of young bloods, occupying the
,enter of the parquet, shouted in uni
ION. "R-a-t-s!" The senator gazed at
Nem deliberately. pointed his finger at
y gallery, and shouted, Here, waiter,
ne down and take these Chinamen's