Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-03


ical sketches is one in cur
rent periodical entitled THE
Most Powerful Man in Of
fetal Life" and. describing the position
and influence of Senator Aldrich, or
Rhode Island.
Senator Aldrich is chairman OF the
senatorial steering committee Of the
dominant Republican party, and oy
reason of the superb training and
equipment which he brings to the dis
charge of the duties of the position,
as we'll as by reason of the senate's
superiority to the house in many es-
sential and conclusive powers, the
thoughtful author of the sketch unhes-
itatingly declares and conclusively
demonstrates that the Rhode Island
senator exercises a greater influence
in shaping the legislation and con-
trolling the affairs of the country than
the speaker of the house, or the vice
president, or even the president him
self.
The opportunities of the position, but
above all, the equipment and abilities
of the man, make this influence pos
sible, and it is certainly true that
Senator Aldrlch is one of the most
powerful, If not the most powerful,
man in Washington.
Rhode Island is the smallest state in
the Union. Neither its population nor
Importance warrant the vast influence
which it's representative exercises In
the affairs of the republic.
But the abilities of the representa-
tive, sustained and persistently re-
turned to office by the judgment and
good sense of the people whom he
represents. bring to pass the results
so creditable TO the senator and so
vastly beneficial to the state.
And hereby hangs a moral of sur
passing moment to these southern
states which have such vast inter
ests. both moral and material, at stake
in the legislative developments of the
next ten years.
Senator Aldrich has represented
Rhode Island in the senate consecu-
lively since his first election many
years ago. He will be returned to the
senate from Rhode Island as long as
his health and faculties survive to
continue such services as he has rem
dered TO the state. Rhode Island is
commercial state. Its people are clear
headed business people. and they have
the conspicuous common sense to real
lie that no other man. whatever his
much good in the senate as Aldrich.
1t would almost be the same If he
were their representative in the lower
house.
He has been literally trained TO the
public service until he is political
expert. That is his value. He knows
every ramification of congressional
usage and custom. He has the rules,
precedents and traditions OF congress
at the tip of his tongue. He knows
supremely the fine art of bringing
things to pass. This is power that
can be acquired in no other way known
to man than by long acquaintance and
constant study of congressional life in
personal daily contact.
He Is not an orator, and rarely
makes a speech. But his short crystal
statements, f1awless in faft and ac-
curacy, are worth more thu n the most
brilliant orations of a less Iexpert and
reliable publicist. He has absolutely
mastered the details of the economic
and commercial issues which rule the
country, and many a time when some
brilliant orator OF the opposition has
captured the galleries and enthused
the senate with his eloquenee. this
practiced and long-trained publicist
will arise and, in a few terse ques-
tions, puncture the fallacies of the ar
gument and destroy the whole force Of
the grafton with a few hard, cold facts
that can neither be answered nor gain
said.
1t is only the representative of long
training who can do this; one who has
studied and acquired and practised in
the actual arena of congressional bust
ness until he has become invincible-
Rhode Island has the most effective
senator in the United States because
she recognized a good man when she
had him, and has kept him in ONCE
until he has been trained to be the
finest political expert in American pub
lie life.
If she had played politics with the
politicians. had listened TO the ca
joleries of ambitious place hunters.
had traded with factions and retired
her consummate expert Just TO give
some other fellow chance" she
might have sent a half dozen brilliant
windbags to Washington, and reaped
not a 1.-THE of the benefits which have
accrued to her from the wiser policy.
1 wish with all my heart that the
south could learn the invaluable lesson
written in this biography. 1t was the
policy of the old south which gave her
for so many years pre-eminence IN ma
tional affairs. Alabama has indicated
it in the long and glorious services of
John T. Morgan-the Oldest and most
respected and most influential public
man who represents the south in
Washington today.
In this age, even more than in the
era of sentiment and assertion, we
will find this the only policy which will
win for US our due weight in the law
making and section-building Of the re-
public. We will never reap the best
fruits of public service unless we
make it a policy to hold fast to public
servants who have demonstrated the
character and capacity to serve us
well.
When a congressional district Of
Georgia or any other southern state
finds a representative who displays the
qualities of eminent usefulness to his
people joined to unqUestioned integrity
and patriotism, in the name Of all that
is reasonable and sensible, and CRATE
full he should be held in his position