Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-22
CAPITAL CHAT.
Rev. E. {. Hale the New
Senate Chaplain.
Senator HaIe's Sharp Lookout Over
Bills introduced.
Estimates Of $4,000 for Tosus Ma
tionaI Homo for 1904.

Washington, D. c., Dec. N.-(Spec-
iaD.-One burden of considerable mag
nitude has been lifted from the should
ers of Senator Frye, as presiding OH
Ger of the Senate. That is the choice
Of a chaplain. Now it has been decid-
ed by the Senate Republican caucus
Boston, is to be the chaplain, at least
for this winter and as soon as he
comes to Washington he will be duly
installed in that office.
The scramble for that place has been
a lively one for many weeks. 1t pays
only 5000 a year, but is none the less
desirable in the eyes of numerous
divines all over the country and of all
faiths. The only requirements are
presence in the Senate chamber for
about five minutes at the opening of
each days session, SO as to open the
Senate with prayer. 1t undoubtedly
requires some thought to prepare a
proper prayer but at the same time is
is probably true that there is hardly
any place under the government for
which so little work is required for so
large a salary.
Senator Frye, as president pro tenn
pore, did not nave the absolute selec-
eion of the chaplain but the numerous
candidates We're constantly grooming
before him. Into his vice presidents
room they were constantly coming
with inquiries about the race for the
chaplaiEcy and with requests that they
might have an opportunity to show
the Senate what they could really do
in the way of praying. good many
pastors were tried out" in this way
but it is Il question whether their trial
prayers did them any good as far as
advancing their chances was concern
ed. Sad to relate few of the senator's
seem to pay any careful attention to
the morning prayers. although they
stand With bowed heads till the amens
are said. 1t would be a very eloquent
Invocation that would attract the at
tention of the Senate sufficiently to
commend the maker thereof for sclec-
ton to the permanent place.
There are very few, if any men in the
Senate, who keep sharper lookout
over legislation than Senator Hale OF
Maine. Many bill, which has been
careIcssly considered in the commit
tee, through the negligence of the
chairman. is sent back there by the
Maine mans objections to be recast
md put in such shape that the inter-
SITS of the government will be fully
protected.
An instance occurred few days
lgo A bill was brought into the Sen
tic for adoption, changing Columbian
University of this city to a nOnsecta-
rian institution. This is the university
Of which Rev. =. l.. Whitman, former
" of Watervillc, was several years
president 1t was originally a nom
sectarian institution but its charter
was anne hded to make it a Baptist in
stitution. Tho bill, as favorably re-
ported also contained Il clause allowing
the institution to adopt Il new name,
because of the present name being
often COMPOUNDED with Columbian Uni
versity of New York.
Senator Hale was alert to the cOnsc-
auenceS of the adoption of such leg
iSlation. There has long been an agita-
ton before Congress for such legisla-
ton. There has long been an agitation
before Congress for a University of the
United States, which will some day be
established here on Il magnificent
scale. BY the terms of the bill, as re-
ported, there was nothing to prevent
Columbian University from using that
name, which would have resulted i'll
great embarrassment. That fact was
brought out and Mr.. Hale forced the
bill back to committee where it will be
properly amended.
The Maine senator has had such q
long training in legislation and has
prepared so many important bills that
scores of apparently little things, which
escape the attention of others, are
readily seen by him. Probably there
are not twenty men in both branches
Of Congress who are adopts in scan
ming measures and properly arranging
md modifying them so as to eliminate
dangerous provisions. None, in that
work, excels Mr.. Hale.
The desire of the leaders of the
House to do as little as possible this
winter except to pass the annual APP
preparation bills, is shown by the will
ngness of the House to adjourn, late
his week. Usually the Congress re-
mains in session till three or four days
before Christmas. But the committees
ICoufinuad from popa oN