New-York tribune., 1905-04-25
DEATHS N THE SEN4TE.

Within the last fifteen months the United
States Senate has lost by death six Of its most
conspicuous and influential members In a
body Of only ninety men this death rate is ex-
ceptonal. Reversdls in politics are responsible
now and then for sweeping changes in the
personnel of the delberative branch Of Con
gresS. but seldom have so many veterans been
displaced by an upset at the polls as have act
ually died in harness in the last year and
quarter Since February II, 1904 the Senate's
death roll has included these names: Marcus A.
Hanna Of Ohio; Matthew s. Quay. OF Penn
Sylvania George T. HOar. Of Massachusetts;
William B. Bate. Of Tennessee; Joseph r. Haw-
ley and Orville ii. Platt of Connecticut.
Technically. General HawlCy did not die in
office. But his death came only two weeks
after his retirement. hy reason OF physical dis
abilities from post which he had filled CON
tinuously and with enviable distinction for
twenty-fOur years.
All these men were. in the real sense. leaders
in the Senate. Mir. Hannas service had been
comparatively brief But in seven years he had
risen to he front rank as party leader and
legislative manager. He had made his way
into the little cOterle which'direct the Senate's
business and shapes its policies. His political
ambitious and political power made him
figure Of unusual consequence-one to he
reckOned with in the struggles Of the future
By his death. at o comparatively early age, the
Senate lost expert campaign strategIst
Mr. Quay's death came when his career had
been practically run. Yet he retained his pres
tige as a political manager and was a force
never 10 be left out Of account in the man
oPuvreS of national politics In the Senate his
position clearly established. He
gave only intermittent attention 10 legis-
laton. But in any crisis his aid was valued.
and through his readiness 10 think and act
for himself he exercised at times Il potent
influence in the settlement of Legislative prob
lens
Mr. Hoar especially in his later years. en-
jOyed unique status in the upper house. His
intellectual gifts and his marked but amiabIe
personality won him a consideration quite eX-
ceptiona when the intense partisanship and
many irritating frctOnS of his earlier career
as Senator are remembered Time had mel
lowed his judgments and prejudices. and in his
later years no man was more sincerely re-
Spected hy his colleagues OH both sides Of the
chamber. His diligence and Intelligence have
left countless marks on the legislation of the
last forty years.
Less of an orator and less of conrovcr-
sialist, but with notable resources Of judgment
aud common sense. Orvile II. Platt rvalled
the venerable Senator from Massachusetts, aS
an influence in the Senates daily work. His
/ role was in Il sense. of even greater i'm
pGrtHncp for he came in closer touch with the
details of legislation and legislative manage
/ ment He was more intimately allied with
the inner group Of leaders which dominates the
upper house, and was called on with greater
frequency to play the part Of a political coun-
| sellor But his ideals were as pure and gen
erous as Mr.. IIOar'S. and his influence in the
Senate was saiutary and nvgorating
Twenty years ago even fifteen years ago
! General HawIey ranked among the real leaders
| on the Senate floor He was an inlpassiOned
! and fOrceful orator. the friend of every good
cause and the foe OF all hypocrisy. chcanery
and corruption. In his later years he suffered
/ a gradual collapse and took smaller and
! smaller part i'm the work of tn" Senate. Yet
/ he will be remembered as in his best days
! one Of its most honorcd figures and most brill
/ liant ornaments
Mr.. Bate. a veteran on the Democratic side
| Of the chamber. made no special claim To dis
tinction az an orator or II master Of statccra It.
! Yet his long service and SOlldlty Of character
| had given him position Of unusual influence
among his Democratic colleagues. and in the
| Senate he preserved the best traditions of the
Southern school OF soldiers and statesmen who
| fought in the Civil War and then returned to
represent their reconstructed section AT Wash
! ington These six men-diffeTng widely IN tenn
permanent training and aims. but all Of them
! leaders or mark-the Senate has lost by death
| in the last year and quarter. 1t Is a notable
record one seldom equalled. perhaps In the
annals Of the upper branch Of Congress