Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-01-04
SENATOR HALE AS LEADER.
The Maine Man Now the Recognized
Leader Of the Senate.

(NaSnlnStOn Correspondence OF the
Philadelphia Ledger) Eugene Hale
Of Maine" said prominent Repub-
lican Senator tonight. has succeeded
Mr.. Aldrich as the recognized leader
Of the Senate"
Inquiry among other Senators pro-
duced confederation of this statement.
Mr.. Hale now occupies the leadership
of the Senate, not at all because of any
difficulty with Mr.. Aldrich. but simp-
ly because that statesman has appar-
emily lost interest in the work.
Early in the last session Mr.. Aldrich
went to Europe and did not even take
the trouble to have himself paired If
he had done so, the Statehood bill
would have been passed in the form
desired by the party leaders.
Mr.. Hale has been at the front in all
the party discussions Of this session
He has been the Republican general
in the Panama and other affairs He
has had more to do with shaping
events at this session than any other
Senator
Present conditions are not to the
liking of men of the Aldrich type
OF late he has apparently found it diff
ficult to retain interest enough in the
affairs of the party to share at all in
the party leadership. Hale is a sup
porter of the President as to most
matters, though sturdily independ-
ent man. who holds himself free to
determine all questions on their mer-
it's
Bailey is unmistak kably at the front
now on the Democratic side. and will
undoubtedly become the titular lead
er Immediately upon Germans retire.
ment. Both Hale and Bailey are mel.
OF the strongest type. and an improve
ment in the character of Legislative
battles is looked for. Aldrich is a
magnificent politician. but there is no
man in the so called Senate Oligarchy
whose ability in all lines is so gener-
ally conceded as Hale. Aldrich is a
past master in manipulation. For
twenty-four years he has been a Sen
ator and he knows all the tricks of his
trade. He has always preferred to
operate quietly. and seldom has ad-
dressed the Senate.
But for two congressional terms AL
drich has deliberately turned his back
on many Senate responsibilities, while
4uIClAN Uul met
all of them. Hale has done the
things Allison could easily have
done had not the Iowan been less of
a trimmer. But with advancing years
the Iowa Senator has become more
and more guarded in his assertions.
Apparently he has lost courage with
Senate service, while Hale has be-
come more confident and aggressive.
The Democrats. that is the Demo-
Gratis who revere the Senate, admire
Hale and trust him as they trust no
other member of the majority party.
In one respect he is like Mark Hanna.
His word. even in the most trivial mat
ter that pertains to Senate affairs, is
accepted absolutely without question.
Senators do not lie to each other, but
Senators not infrequcntly so express
themselves that different interprcta-
ti"ns may be placed on their language
What Hale has to say. whether in con-
VcrSation or in the open Senate, is
never misunderstood. He speaks with
earncStneSS and in language 50 direct
that every qualifying phrase is elm
mated.
If Senator Hale lives through his
present term he will have served for
thirty years in the Senate. and his col
league. Senator Frye. is his junior i'll
service by only nine months
OutSid" the Senate Hale would not
b" considered an attractive speaker
He never attempS to talk unless he
has something to say. When he has
concluded he sits down. He does not
talk to be reported in the newspapers
or to curry favor at home Each SEN
tence is the perfection of English and
when he has concluded both the Sem
ate and the galleries understand him
throughly.