The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-26
J Ohm James Jcnk ins. the Fearless
constitutional .Amcnder.

The Hon. GEORGE W. RAYS transla-
ton from Congress To the Federal bench
has created IA vacancy in the cha irman-
ship of the Judiciary Committee Of the
House of Representatives
During the two sessions of the Fifty
sixth Congress and the first session of
the Fiity-screnth the duties of that post
were exceptionally oncrous and impor-
tant. They were performed. on the
whole, diligently and wisely by Judge
RAY. although truth requires the state
mcn that in at least two instances he
strained pcrilously his reputation for
soundncss and sincerity. This chair
manshp will br even more important
during the second session of the Fifty
seventh Congress and throughout the
Fifty-eighth If III" question Of trust
regulation or repression remains at the
front of legislation, involving proposed
changes that reach to the very France
work of our institutions.
Among the able Republican lawyers
on the House Judiciary Committee are
the Hon. DE ALvA :. ALEXANDER of New
York. the Hon. RICHARD WAYNE PARKER
of New Jersey. the Hon. CHARLES T..
LIrTLEFlELD of Maine. and the Hon.
JOHN J. JENKINS of Wisconsin. This
list by no means exhausts the legal learn
ing and ability now available on the
majority side of the committee, but it
includes those names which suggest
themselves most naturally for the sue
N tIn .hair
eral fitness in the way of experience,
training and temper were to determine
the choice, il would perhaps fall to Mr.
PARKER or to Mr. ALEXANDER II the
chief qualifications requisite were a
special individual and intense self-con-
secretion 70 the task Of solving the trust
problem, and high resolve To make
that enterprise life work if necessary,
the distinguished statesman from the
Second Maine district would be indicated
unmistakaby. II the Craftsmanship is
10 be settled by the accident of position
on the committees roster, it will go to
Judge JENKINS, for his name happens
10 stand next TO Judge RAYS.
It appears to be assumed at Washing
ton, by various including the
Hon. JOHN JAMES JENKINS himself, that
the aforementioned principle of selection
will prevail. In that case the theories
and practical ideas of Judge JENKINS
in regard to Federal control of the ma
tons business activities become sub
ject of wel-nigh universal interest.
The Wisconsin statesman i an Ameri-
can citizen OF English nativity. He
has been clerk in the Baraboo courts,
city clerk and city attorney in Chippewa
Falls, County Judge in Chippewa county.
and United States District Attorney for
Wyoming This is the fourth Congress
in which he has served. His legisla-
tive career has been characterized bv
zeal and industry, and. we NAV add. bv
evidence of somewhat rest less and
adventurous intellectually as may be
seen from this partial list of the vare-
gated measures for which he has made
himself responsible in the last Congress
and in the present one:
\ Constitutional amendment IN regard 10 the
succession to the PRESIDENCY
UNCONSTITUTIONAL amendment giving Congress
power to levy direct taxes
\ Constitutional Amendment giving Congress
control over corporations
Another Constitutional amendment giving Con
gress control over trusts
\ bill to regulate Insurance In IN. District of
Columbia
bill for the protection OF birds.
\ bill for the protection OF rsh
bill to regulate the practice Of barberlng and
hardrrssns In the District Of Columbia
hill establishing a commission 10 Investigate
the European Chambers Of Commerce
y bill 10 encourage ramc culture
bill to amend the Law relative to externally
fired boilers steam vessels
bill to regulate proof OF marriage In claims Tor
pensions.
\ bin TO regulate Chinese lmmls grafton.
bill To regulate telegraph and elect rio wires
blu to regulate the inaugural ceremonies OF
the President Of the Tinted states
bill regulating the admission OF alien, to cti.
1cnshlp.
bill to create a national bureau OF criminal
Identification.
bill TO preNrn, 'hr USE OF houses In District Of
Columbia for Immoral purposes
bill to regulate the sale Of intoxicating liquors
4 bill to regulate the sale OF timber on public
lands
bill for the free delivery OF public library books
on rural routes.
And among the incidental subjects,
other than those indicated above, which
Mr.. JENKINS has recently discussed in
speeches in the House, are these.
Tn. Martinique crupr,u.
special policemen a, street crossings
The protection the PrcSIden, against assault.
Rrciprocy with cuba.
The power 10 originate revenue bus
ljr'orn schools for girls
GRADE crossings
Nicn ownership Of lud
Thc disposal o. rrf,,r
This fractional exhibit does not do
iull justice - the scope Of Judge .IEN.
kINs's mental industry in the public
service, but IL gives some idea of the
variety Of his cogi,ations, his industry
as drafter of new measures. and his !
general propensity 10 regulate thing.
II will be- seen, also. that Judge JEN- |
kINs is an intrepid amendcr ~ the Con-
stitntion of the lnitod States Few !
statesmen, however skilful and quick /,
" hand, have been able 70 keep going |