The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1904-05-04

THE homecoming Of the Junior
Senator from Kentucky, noted in our
personal columns merits more than
passing notice. Senator James B
NcCrearv has now heen tested in the
most exacting position in public life.
possibly with the exception of the
Presidency. and he has emerged with
that same degree of honor that mark
ed his previous long and distinguished
career. The first few wears Of a new
Senator's term. accordingto the hoary
custom Of that BODY. are usually
marked by a sort Of dignified silence
and which. II violated is done as the
peril Of a new members future iniu-
ence. But Kentucky sent no novice
in craftsmanship, diplomacy, and
business affairs when McCreary took
the seat Of Clay, and Carlisle. Hence,
we repeat, the first session o. his ser
vice has heen marked by mastery ac-
tivitv and achievements as extrao rdi-
nary as unusual for new Senator.
A review Of Senator McCrearv's first
wear in the Senate would be more eX-
tended than that of many men who
serve ten wears in TIE Lower House or
one full term in the upper chamber of
Congress. His speech, almost at the
opening Of the present Congress, on
Dee. IL, dealt with Trade Relations
With Cubs and Reduction Of Tariff
Duties. That speech was a precur-
sor Of the action OF the Senate, which
was compelled to treat the infant re-
public with fairness and justice. His
next speech on the Post-ofiice Appr)-
priatinn Bill and Investigation of the
Post-"ffice Department. March 81,
would form the basis for a national
platform on which all Democrats
could unite. It's closing sentences are
like hugle call to the whole nation
in this time of unlicensed acts and
corruption in high places
This country al the present time needs tariff
reform, limitation of taxes to the actual needs
OF the Government, econmy in the expenditure
of public money, equal and exact Justice to all
/ men, particularly at this time when a high
protective tariff enables the manufacturers Of
| cur country to sell their products cheaper in
| Europe than at home. Those who support
those principles will show at the next Novem-
her election for President that they are alive
when they defeat the Republican candidate for
President and take charge of this Government.
On the other hand, speech-making
aside. in which Senator McCreary
showed himself at home in debate
when under the fire of the oldest
members of the Senate, we have the
most genuine pride in his adroit, sue
cessful. and remarkable fight against
the Army Camp Site Bill. Kentucky
was interested in securing one of the
four great permanent sites for the
uanoeuvers of the army; a splendid
location at West Point, twelve miles
from Louisville, in Hardin County,
had been tried fully and endorsed by
the highest military officials. But
seltishness on the part of those polite
ally entrenched asserted itself and
Kentucky-which is a Democratic
State-was dropped, regardless of the
welfare OF the service or the justice OF
her claim. In the language of the
street, ''the jig was up" All hope
was abandoned and the friends of the
Kentucky site saw their plans shatter-
ed. At this point, Senator MoCreary.
who possesses a parliamentary know
ledge and experience rarely equaled,
threw himself into the breach and he
sprang three points of order against
the measure. One by one he was sus-
tanned until the whole scheme to cut
ut Kentucky from the bill was defeat
ed and the matter laid over until
next session.
This will give the supporters of the
Kentucky site time TO organize for q
compaign. and as it means the sale ot
forty thousand acres to the govern.
m Mt and the ultimate expenditure OF
possibly five millions of dollars in ouI
state. the magnitude of the victory Of
NcCreary in the very jaws of defeat,
may be appreciated. These matters
are known of all men. We cannot
enumerate the countless smaller SER
vices he rendered to his constituents.
That same sleepless vigil and atten-
ton to details which gave him the
soubriquet of the "Model Governor, =
later the ''Model Congressman" will
certainly Irvine about his brow in a
wreath of fadeless green and glory,