New-York tribune., 1903-03-05
RETIRING SENATORS.
Sir RepubEcans and ScUcH Demo-
Gratis Go Ont.

ussbinrton March 4-The session of the Senate
to-day was Interesting not alone on account Oh tH'
oficaI proceedings on the floor, incident TO the aSt
day of a Congress, but by many occurrences WHICH,
were purely social, due to the fact that the day
marked the close OF many careers IN the senate
OF the thirty Senators whose terms expired VheH
the presiding Oficers gavel fell at ncon' thirteen
failed to secure reelection, either through deteat
or their own refusal to enter the contests In thclr
States. Included in the number whose officlai
presence in the chamber will no longer be noted are
six Republicans and seven Democrats. but OF the
Republicans two, Senator Jones, Of Nevada ana
Senator Wellington, of Maryland. have In recent
years supported for a time the national candidates
Of the opposing partJ. Two other Senators, Deooe'
Of Kentucky. and Pritchard, Of North Carolina are
Southern Republicans, and both are succeeded by
Democrats The remaining two Republicans are
Senators Mason, of Illinois, and Simon. OF oregon
or the seven retiring Democrats. Senators Har-
ris Of Kansas; Turner, OF Washington. and Helt-
field, OF Idaho. were elected as Popuists and all
are succeeded by Republicans. Senator Mcl&lurlh.
of South Carolina, was elected as Democrat ana
while still classed such has acted independently
for the greater part OF his term. The other three
Senators Vest, Jones, OF Arkansas, and RaWLns
have from first to last been In the Democratic
ranks and Jones and Vest have risen to places OF
conspicuous leadership in their party.
In Mr. Jones, of Nevada, the Senate loses one OF
the tvo men who have served In that body for
thirty consecutive years. the other being senator
Allison. In AIr. Jones the Senate loses one OIL us
most popular as well as one OF Its OLDEST MEM
bers He has not made a speech since the days OF
the silver debate In 1885, and he has not in his
entire thirty years Of service introduced more than
half dozen bills. yet his influence in shaping legS-
latIon has been exceeded by that or Few Sena tors
and his great ability has been recognized from the
BEGINNING OF his career, With few exceptions IN
his term the personnel OF the Senate has changed
many tinos. When Mr.. Jones entered the body
Simon Cameron and Hannibal Hamlin were still
prominent characters there, Roscoe Conkltng was
- {SV,f- haAT r-ofe efl-
tered the Senate. General Logan. Carl Schurz'
Alien G. Thurman. oliver P. Morton Thomas r
Bayard and John J. ingalls, were leading figures.
Senator Jones has from the first been recognized
as an authority nnance. and his store OF IN
formation has always beer at the command of his
colleagues.
Mr. Vest belongs to the next generation Of Sen
ators He entered the body in 1879. and has served
twenty-foUr years. winning reputation Tor bril-
Mancy Of speech, classic learning and sharp rep
artee seldom excelled In the Senate. He has
been in poo- health for several years; but. not
HIthstanding he has been almost blind and has
needed constant assistance in entering and leaving
the Senate Chamber. he has maintained his interest,"
in the proceedings and his prestige as an orator
He has made several speeches on current topics
in the last session, and each time he has taken
the floor has commanded the closest attention
Senator Jones' of Arkansas. came to the front
in the consideration of the Wilson-Gorman Tar1n
bill on account HIS knowledge OF business details
his place as a party leader since that time He
has been chairman OF the Democratic conference
since the retirement Of Senator Turpie and on this
account and because OF the fact that he is chair
man Of the Democratic National Committee has
been regarded much OF the time the official head
of the party in the Senate and in the country
The retirement of Mr.. Vest and the two Joneses
will make three vacancies on the Finance Com
mittee and vacancies many other important
committees. .... -
Senator Mason is chairman of the Committee on
Postofnces ana a member Of the F'sJrnnittee on
Commerce Senator Prltchard gives up the chair
manShiD OF the Committee on Patents and member
shin in a number OF other important committees.
The retirement of Senator Rawlins causes a Demo
cratic vacancy the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions and the Committee the Philippines SEN
ator Turner retires from the Judiciary ConihlItee
and the Committee on Commerce
or the seven Democratic Senators who retire four
are succeeded by Republicans. and of the six Re-
publicans who 60 out four are succeeded by Demo
Gratis All the changes In favor OF the Repuolcans
are in the Northwest. and three OF those IN favor
of the Democrats are in the southern or ooroer
States. ~. ,
After the adjournment of the Senate the members
OF the Committee OH PUstUf1ces met in their room
and presented elegant tea service to Senator
Mason, the retiring chairman. The presentation
sneeCIl was made by Senator DOliiNcT, and Was
6iied Tyfth expressions OF goodwill.