Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-16

Senator F. M. Cockrell.
duties at the Capitol might be taken for
a western farmer just from his broad
acres. He was Il typical Cincinnatus TAX
ing up the reins of government.
OF tall form, prominent features and
discerning eye, Senator Cockrell is a figure
among public men not soon to be forgotten.
He has been object of interest to the
galleries probably equal to any man who
has played q part on the floor of that his
toric chamber. He is always to be found
at his desk when the gavel of the President
of the Senate descends, and stands with
Bonded head the chaplain delivers the
customary morning prayer. Then begins
the morning business that mass of odds
and ends of legislation that is mixed UP
with the presentation of bills, petitions and
committee reports. The morning hour is
a time when the rules of the Senate are
more in demand than at any other time of
the day. 1t is then that senators wish to
get through little bills that appear awfulIy
simple, but which at times turn out to be
simply awful An innocent-looking bill may
be called up from the calendar 1t may be
to repeal some law or to provide for some
apparently harmless act.
Senator Cockrell's Vigilance
1t is a tiresome job to watch the details
of the Senate, or any other legislative body
Senators usually have all they can do to
look after measures they are particularly
interested in, and it requires long expe-
rience with the rules of that body in order
to determine when they not being vio-
lated and what is or is not legitimate Iegis-
lation.
But in addition to his other duties that ia
the role that Senator Cockrell has PLAYED
he has been watchdog of the treasury
ana OF the statute book in general. But
more wonderful than anything else he has
been able to perform that role without de-
scendlng to pickering and triffng objec-
tons, often the course into which scrupu-
lous men unconsciously drift. He has
made a name for observation-disclosures which
Will not be disputed by any one who has
known him in Congress But his eye is
ever on details, and nothing is too small or
too big to escape him.
Mr.. President, let the bill be read" is
one of his familiar demands made in a
matter-of-fact way, when some one asks
for the passage of some measure that Is
not altogether familiar to him. At the
same time he can be seen to lean over and
fish around under his desk. He draws up
binder containing bills on the calendar, and
while the clerk at the desk is reading the
measure he is himself reading it. In his
desk he has reports on bills when such
have been submitted If he is not satisfied
he asks for the reading of the report.
When this performance is completed he
either mods his head, signifying that he is
satisfied, or states his objection.
1t is not so much the number of bills and
general propositions that are objected to
by the Missouri senator that gauge the
Importance of his watchfulness. The chief
service he performs is in watching. with
every one fully aware that his eye is on
everything. Senator Cockrel1 is not the
only senator who watches the details of
legislation in the Senate. There is a CO.
terie of senators, republican and demo-
cratic, who perform that service. 1t is a
small coterie, but they are largely respon-
sible for the orderly conduct Of that body.
The fact that they are watching deters
many a one from attempting to get outside
the rules and to put through legislation
that could not go through under close in
spectiOn.
A Hard Worker.
Not only is the Missouri senator watch
! full in public places. He is an indefatiga-
BILE committee and Office worker. He goes
to the capitol early and remains late. He
can be found in his committee room In the
I gallery floor of the Senate wing of the
Capitol by the time government clerks are
at their desks and frequently ne is there
earlier. He answers every letter that Is
received by him. He makes a personal
matter of explaining to his constituents
just why their particular wants cannot be
complied with by Congress. He writes
great many letters with his own pen. He
Is flooded with proposed bills for reim-
bursting his constituents for losses during
the war He probably knows as much
about war claims as any man in Congress,
and he needs to use his information.
The great mass of these claims call only
for reply showing why he cannot cham
pion them. He declines to lumber the Rec
ord with bills that plainly have no justifi
cation under the law. But the care he
gives to his correspondence is not exceeded
by any business man.
Work on Committees.
In committee the senator Is a constant
worker. He is always present and listens
to everything that is going on. For many
years he has been member of the COM
mittee on appropriations. The other most
important committees of which he Is a
working member are those on rules and
on military affairs. He knows the govern
ment's needs as well as any man in public
life. He goes over every item of the great
appropriation bills every year and he lis
tens attentively to the hundreds OF people
who go before the committee to present
their claims He has for many years taken
particular interest in the affairs Of the
District of Columbia. serving on the SUBJ
committee that handles the District bill.
On military affairs he has no merely
nominal place. His military experiences
during the civil war fits him peculiarly for
such service. and his opinions are respected
by every member OF the committee. Dur
ing the war with Spain It was desired TO