The Irish standard., 1905-12-09

THE IRIS
months in prison and fined in addition
thereto. Both have appealed from the
decisions against them for the pur-
pose of prolonging the inevitable until
the ends of their terms, If possible.
Neither one can hope to be reelected.
Senator Mitchell is an old man, broken
in health as well as morally. Burton
is young man prohibited by the SEN
tence of court from ever holding any
office of honor, trust or emolument I'M
der the Federal Government.
These two instances should be a
warning to the highest legislative body
in the world that it's members, al
though powerful, are nevertheless sub
ject to the criminal laws Of the coun-
try. The Senate Of the United States
has in recent years become very I'M
popular with the masses of the peo-
pie. Its high-handed methods of block
ing legislation have merited for it the
public dislike in which it is held. 1t
would be strange indeed if the dis
graceful situation which presented it
self to the members of the United
States Senate on Monday last should
not cause serious reflection. The two
absent ones are not the only lessons.
Worse even than the conviction of Bur-
ton and Mitchell was the presence in
the senate chamber of three others
whose names have been placed upon
the role of dishonor. The two SEN
ators from New York, Chauncey M.
Depew and Thomas c. Platt, and Sen
ator Penrose, of Pennsylvania, the dis
credited leader Of the shattered Re-
publican machine, were pointed out by
more than one. Their names have be-
come by-words of disgrace and shame.
It is probable that the people of the
United States do not even yet appre-
ciate the full effect of the terrible dis
grace that has been brought upon our
government by those entrusted with
the highest offices in the gift of the
people outside of the presidency. De-
pew's connection with the insurance
scandals has placed him so low in pub
lie estimation that were he to be a
candidate again it is probable that he
would not receive single vote for the
Office to which he was elected one year
ago. He is not only politically dead
but he is socially ostracised. AS he
walked into the senate chamber last
Monday there were hundreds Of peo-
pie who commented upon the crushed
appearance of this once jaunty story
teller and railroad president. Unlike
most political criminals Depew has suf-
fered in his own estimation by the rude
knocks which have been dealt to him;
for, unlike many political tricksters,
he does care for public opinion. His
colleague Plat is almost equally dis
credited, but Platt is not sensitive
about what people think of him.
Precedent and courtesy made it the
duty of Senator Penrose, of Pennsyl-
vania, to lead to the vice presidents
desk his future colleague Senator elect
Knox. The incongruity of the situation
must have been apparent to almost ev-
cry onlooker. Penrose, the fallen
leader Of the discredited Republican
machine of Pennsylvania, introducing
to the Senate of the United States the
future leader Of Republican politics in
that state.
Although United States senators are
not elected by direct vote of the peo-
feel through the present situation more
strongly than they have ever felt be-
fore their responsibility to the people.
There are other members who are by
no means free from attack There are
several who have secured their seats
through dishonorable methods and
whose chief influence in the senate is
in the promotion of dishonorable deals.
There are, however, several new SEN
ators whose character and manhood
will help to raise the tone of the SEN
ate. There is Warner, Of Missouri,
Rayner, of Maryland, La Toilette, of
Wisconsin, Burkett Of Nebraska; all
men of force and individuality. They.
at least, do not come to the senate as
representatives Of railroads. protected
interests and trusts. Their presence
will help to free the senate from those
who have brought 1t to disgrace. The
situation Is not without hope, dis
graceful as 1t is.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
The presidents message has been de-