The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-27
W THAT viii the Senate become
Nh I without its watchdog?

Nm NAlatbAA rs NhNNAltAoA
" This has been a much
mooted question since the
Missouri returns spread over the land
announcing the election of a Republican
State Legislature. which means the de-
feat Of United States Senator Francis
Marion CccErel. Like a bolt out of
TIE blue came the news that Missouri,
old hOtbed OF Democracy, had gone con-
trarV 10 all its traditions. and that its
senior Senator would not be returned 10
the Capitol IN 1905. Probably no man in
the country was more surprised than the
Senator himself.
II the people OF Missouri had realized
that Senator COckreu was not TO repre-
sent them again I'm the United States
Senate chamber. hundreds would have
changed their vote. He is idOliZed, has
been for wears. by Republicans ana
Democrats alike in his native State.
But the AIiss0urians I'm their determina-
ton to break up me ring that has con-
trolled politics in the State forgot that
the fate OF their idol hung on this cleo
ton 1t was in an eager. intense, Well
nigh frcnzied state of mind that they
went 10 the polls. Their one thought
was 10 clean out the political cauldron,
and In their effort they opposed every
man on the Democratic ticket who was
connected IN the slightest way with the
ring. 1t Is true that the ring had
fried 10 ward of defeat by declaring
Senator Cockrell in danger But its
prophecies were laughed at.
So in their desire for clean politics
the people Of Missouri went farther
than they had intended, and Senator
Cockren Is to suffer for il. There have
been r.nnors that the Senator is To be
cared for when he leaves Washington on
the Sd OF next March. II has even been
suggested by "A man so high In the Re
publican councils as Elihu Root that IT
the Republican Legislature OF Missouri
returned the venerable Democratic Sen
ator 10 Congress all parties would be
pleased. But Il Is hardly probable that
A Republican Legislature would fail 10
select Republicans for the gifts in It's
power.
President Roosevelt has made up
his mind that a man who has served
the country as long and as faith
fully as has Cockren shall not be turned
adrift in his old age without fortune or
business. He has given the Missouri
Senator the choice Of succeeding colonel
Hecker as Isthmian Canal Commissioner
or OF becoming a member Of the civil
Service Commission.
Honest Rather Than Partisan
Few men in this or any other country
have made for themselves a reputation
for honesty and frmness OF purpose as
has Senator Cockrell. He forms one OF a
trio OF United States Senators who are
said 10 have been the MOST thoroughly
honest ana true 10 Jneir convictions Of
am the men who have sat In the Sena,e
chamber ia the pass quarter OF cen
turv. perhaps in the whole history Of
that august body Keller and HOar are
the other members OF this triumvirate
Of honesty. AlthOuBn the Senator is "a
good politician and on fundamental
Drtnciples has always stood by his party,
he has always voted for what he
thought right regardless of the conse-
ouences. Frequently ne mas sided with
the Republican party against the Dem
ocrats. And while hls independence has
been honored by many, others have re-
preached him for not voting the straight
Democratic ticket on every occasion.
Both President Mckinley and President
Roosevelt placed the utmost confidence
IN his judgment. and rarely made an ap-
pOlntment In Missouri without 1rst con-
sulting the senior Senator from that
State.
Although the last thirty years OF his
life have been srent as a lawgiver;
Senator Cockrells life has been by no
means monotonous. Lawyer, soldier.
politician. and lawgiver. ne has been
during his career. ana IN each capacity
he has served with distinction. In spite
of his long labors and his sixty-nine
years he is tiu remarkably hale and ac-
tive
Senator Cockrell is a thorough Mis-
Eourian. He was born IN Johnson coun-
~, October /. 1884. was educated IN the
public schools OF the State and IN Chapel
Hll College. and has his home IN War
rensburg stlll In Warrensburg every
one speaks OF the Senator as the gen
eral, remembering his record IN the civn
war He Is wOrshiped by the whole
populace OF the town. which il about
the same size as Rockville. Md. The
Cockrell house there Is plain and unpre-
tentiOus. but hOmelike and comfortable
The SsaAtS< makes psTsSdical vista, ~