The age-herald., 1900-01-26
THE NATION IS INTERESTED His Election is Important to
 he Country. RETIES INT WOULD BE A CRIME Shf@ Governor Johnston Succeed it Id Take Him Years, No Mat ter How Capable, to be Use-
 ful to His State
RE1IE .NT WOULD BE A CRIME

Washington, January 25.-(Special.)- fact that Clarke county, Alabama, has been carried for General Morgan in the senator ial fight is regarded by Alabamians in Washington as indicating that he will be able to defeat Governor Johnston in the contest for the senate.
 It is fully appreciated here that Clarke county was selected by the friends of Johnston as one of the counties that should make its legislative nominations before the regular primaries, that it might create tho impression that Johnston was certain 10 defeat Senator Morgan. and thus boom the Johnston stock. But that county spec tally selected because of its supposed friendiness 10 Governor Johnston should go against him is naturally supposed to show that, despite the great power in hls hands, Johnston will be unable to over- come the force of Senator Morgan's pop ular.ty and of the public approval of his long services in the national legislature.
 There has been much surprise in Wash- ington that, after his many years of serv- ice of the highest character. Senator Mor- gan should meet with opposition at home. It seems strange to public men in Wash- ington, who are fully acquainted with Senator Morgan's career and his splendid record, that just at this time he should be forced to make contest for his seat in the senate. It is the almost universal hope of members of the senate and of the house as well that Senator Morgan may be re- nominated by a large majority. If he Is not Alabama is apt to gain the undesira- ble and unenviable reputation of being un- grateful to her senior senator.
 Senator Morgan stands particularly high in Washington. The. appreciation of his splendid work in the senate is not con- fined to senators on his side of the sen- ate chamber, but republicans who have and do disagree with him seriously on pub lie questions, particularly on finance, re- cognize that inasmuch democrat must come from Alabama it Is better for the senate and for the nation that man Of General Morgan's broad character, person. al honesty, large information and legisla- tive experience should represent Alabama.
 Important to the Nation
 It is important for the nation to have such senators as John T. Morgan. Not on- ly has he ability, but he has sound judg- ment and such legislative experience as he has acquired in his three senatorial terms is not obtained without similar ex- perence. Should Governor Johnston suc- ceed in defeating Mir. Morgan it would take him years, no matter how capable, to be as useful to the senate and his own state as General Morgan has been and is.
 Were it not for his long senatorial service, General Morgan would not be senior democratic member of the impor- tant committee foreign relations, nor would he be chairman of that on the inter- oceanic canal. A new man must go to the foot of the list on the committee to whicn he may be assigned, and in his first years in the senate he would be placed on com paratively unimportant committees. If senator's health be good he increases in value to his state as the length of his pub lie service increases. He becomes mor- al and an intellectual force and has inc fiuence on legislation commensurate with his length of service.
 The south tlas been especially fortunate in retaining it's senators. It has thus gained degree of influence in the national councils that 1t would not otherwise have. Other sections of the country, New England excepted, have been too prone to change their senators often and without sa tisfac- tory results.
 Senator Morgan is a typical senator, one of the few men who can properly be called statesmen who are in pubEc life at pres ent. His activity is remarkable, consider ing his years. He has breadth, vigor and grasp of public questions that are not surpassed by any public men. His mind Is receptive to a remarkable degree. He grows each year and approaches new pub lie questions with a mental receptiveness that often causes surprise when his age is remembered. His work for the Nicarag- uan canal is one indication of his force, influence and determination. He has done more than any one in public life to de- velop a sentiment favorable to that policy which means so much for the commerce of our nation, and will have an important and beneficial influence upon the future of Alabama.
 For Alabama to retire Senator Morgan [ fl om public life when he is best fitted to do good work, when tiis years of experi- ence, his judgment ripened by age, his influence immense through many tests, his learning and vast informa ton would make :, him more useful to Alabama and to the country at large, would be crime, espe- cially at this time when tine houses of con- gress particularly require men Of his char acter and capacity.