River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-11-21


HON, PARIS GIBSON.
(New United States Senator from the
State of Montana)
tire west fell into line for Henderson,
and Mr.. Hopkins withdrew. Col.
Henderson also had the support of
Pennsylvania big delegation, by the
withdrawal of Bingham, in his favor,
and he was selected unanimously.
The contest for the speakership of
two years ago will not be repeated.
Speaker Henderson will be chosen
without opposition by the republican
caucus, and will be elected; because
the republicans have a large majority
in the house of representatives. This
admitted fact accounts for the quiet
and apparent apathy in political cir
cles at this time. The democratic
minority will choose Hon. James d.
Richardson, of Tennessee, and all of
the members of that party will vote
for him. This is not an empty honor.
The man who is chosen as the leader
of the minority at this time will tacit-
~ retain his leadership until such
time as the democrats shall have a
majority; and then, if he lives, Mr..
Richardson will undoubtedly be chos-
en- for the speakership. Therefore, it
is that Mr.. Richardson seeks and will
receive the nomination of his party,
because he is looking to the future
for his preferment. Wise men in the
political world must have the sa-
gacity to peer into the coming years,
and ''learn to labor and to wait"
There will be no political contest
senate. That body always has
president pro tempore," whose duty
it is to preside during the absence
or inability of the vice president to
perform his functions. When the last
congress adjourned Vice President
Roosevelt was the presiding officer of
the senate, and Senator Frye, of
Maine, was the presiding officer pro
tempore. Inasmuch as the senate is
continuing body, and does not need
reorganization every two years (as
the house of representatives does)
Senator Frye will take the gavel and
call the senate to order, without the
intervention of caucus or other
parliamentary machinery.
Because the senate is continuing
body, it will not be necessary to elect
sergeant at arms, secretary or other
officers. The senate, in January, 1900,
elected its officers, and they will con-
tinue to serve until such time as the
present minority shall have a ma
iority, when complete changes win
occur in all of the prominent official
positions.
The senate has no masterful official
who has power to shape legislation.
The party which happens to be in
the majority at any time holds eau
cuses and selects the chairmen and
members of the committees. The
senate itself retains the power which
the house gives to its presiding Off.
Ger. The senate majority always rec
ognizes its Oldest members, those
longest in continuous service, as
leaders.
Because of these diverse conditions
in the two bodies comprising the con-
gress, a singular condition is now pre-
sented. Senator Allison, of Iowa, is
chairman of the committee on APP
preparations, chairman of the steer
ing committee which shapes legisla-
ton. and chairman of the majority
caucus. Because of his "a years of
continuous service, he is the recog-
nized leader of the senate in all
things.
Thus. by reason of events which
seem to have shaped themselves. two
men from Iowa, Senator Allison and
Speaker Henderson, both of them not
only from the same state, but also
from the same county, and from the
same city, Dubuque, have marvellous
power in the congress The one
shapes and controls affairs in the
house of representatives; the other
as unostentatiously shapes affairs in
the senate. These two men. from the
same city, have more power in ma
tional affairs than any other two men
on earth, excepting the car of Rus
STA, and the emperor of Germany.
And the senators and representatives
cheerfully follow their leadership;
for they are honorable men. as we'll
as capable of performing their high
functions. SMITH D. FRY.