The Savannah morning news., 1902-01-20


A. Douglass MIR. German Rose to
the senate and Democratic Lead
thing About the Man
Who May BE the Democratic Pres
identiaI Choice in IOO4--In MIR. Al
iisOn He VIII Find n worthy OPP
pOnent.
Washington, Jan. 19.--During the
past week two notable political events
occurred. Two great leaders in the Re-
publican and Democratic parties were
reelected to the United States Senate.
William b. Allison of Iowa, now serv-
ing his fifth term in that body, was re-
elected for his sixth term, to begin
March 4, 1908. Arthur Pue German, of
Maryland, for eighteen years United
States Senator, after a retirement of
three years, was elected to take his
seat March 4, 1908.
These two men of much the same
temperaments, quiet suave, diplomatic
but far seeing and able, have been pre-
eminently leaders of their respective
parties in the United States Senate and
in the broad field of national politics.
Each has been an instrument in shap-
ing the dominant policies of his party
for more than a quarter of a century,
and it is doubtful if any other two men
will have greater influence on their re-
spective sides of the Senate chamber
in the future.
The return of Mr. German after an
absence of four years will not be an
unmxed evil regarding his election
from partisan standpoint. He will
take the place of Mr.. Wellington, of
Maryland whose career since entering
the Senate in 1897 has made it possible
for Maryland to again elect Demo-
cratic senator Mr.. Wellingtons apos-
tacy from Republican principles and
his ruinous tactics in Maryland poll
tics are regarded as the basis of the
political reverses which gave the DEM
ocrats supremacy in the state. Mr.
German is far more welcome to his
political opponents than Mr.. yelling
ton. and his return to the Senate is
only regretted because It was made
possible by the loss Of Maryland to the
Republicans.
German VIII Again be Leader.
When Mr.. German retired after
three terms in the Senate his party
was left without a forceful leader. It
has been in that position ever since,
and his return will be signalized by
his again assuming the captaincy of
Democracy in the Senate. although he
viii find but a ragged and disorganized
G0nn1nW
indications of his influence. and there
is noticeable ''perking up" among
the Democratic senators. While he
will not take office until a year from
next March, his subtle leadership will
be manifest long before that. There
are many of the old line Democrats
who look upon Mr.. German as their
only substantial hope in 1904. He is
distinctly a representative of the old
line Democracy, but has been shrewd
enough to remain with his party I'm it's
wanderings after the false gods Of free
silver and Populism. Those who ex-
pect him to prove a political Moses in
1905 are endeavoring to rally the party
on its old basis.
There are few men in public life with
whom the country is more familiar
than with Mr.. German. His smooth
shaven, priestly face is well known
II Oiii Olit tltd VI AIlt country 10 Ine
other. In the Senate he was always
distinguished hy his composed de-
meanor. well-groomed appearance and
prominence in debate when matters of
Importance were before the body For
years his seat was in the center of
the Democratic side of the chamber
and the lesser lights of Democracy
gravitated i'm that direction when a
contest arose requiring the direction of
political manager.
Mr.. German is a man of only me-
dium hight. dresses exceedingly well,
but quiet in taste. On state occasions
he always appears in a well-ftting
Prince Albert suit, but for ordinary day
wear in the Senate a cutaway frock
coat was his choice. He always wore
his coat snugly buttoned and his linen
was always of the most immaculate
whiteness. He is slow and deliberate
in his movements and never loses his
head. There have been occasions when
he almost approached eloquence in his
speech, but ordinarily his delivery is
monotonous and his voice slightly muf-
fed and unpleasant When fully
aroused. however, his enunciation is
sharp and clear and at all times he is
master OF forceful diction.
His Remarkable Career.
This Democratic leaders was prac-
tically born in the Senate. Away back
in 1852 the great Stephen A. Douglas
appointed Arthur German a page in
that body, and the young Marylander
remained an employe of the Senate un-
til 1866, the last office he held being
that of postmaster. He then went back
to Maryland and has been an active
politician ever since. His early expert
ence In the Senate chamber bred in him
a Iafa tpa %. frf.
himself some day, and his dream was
realized when he succeeded William
Pinkney Whyte and took his seat
March A. 1881. II was in political cam
paigns in Maryland that Mr. German
learned the art of public speaking
which has proved such a valuable ad-
junct TO his knowledge of practical
politics.
one OF the first political speeches Mr. !
German ever made was on the eastern
shore Of Maryland Ia a farming district
and he then learned a lesson which has
been useful to him since. He was billed |
to make n Democratic address at a
crossroads village, and got himself up
In great style for the occasion. When |
the local committee met him and saw
his exquisite dress their countenances |
fell. Without % word 10 the young |
man, however. they got him on horse !
back and started for their injecting !
place. on the plea of taking a near !
cut" they led him a Wild ride through |
thickets and undcrbruah ana brought |