The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1906-03-30
UNITED STATES SENATOR.


islature. In view OF what has oc
Cured in the past and what is likely
TO occur In the future. one Is led &c
ask what manner of man shall he be-
What character of man should he be-
Isn't II about time the republican par
" of Nebraska awakened from the
somnolent notion that the highest type
of character for membership In the
greatest legislative body in the world
is sufficiently capacltated IL he pos.
sesses money purse and can deftly
loosen and unloosen its strings, or
peddle building appropriations, or that
he Is n good mixer?"
Why not awaken once for all to the
idea that q man who has dignity of
manner and mental grasp, and force
and education. impresses people-even
though they may not feel at liberty to
call him Tom, Dick or Harry-that he
has the capacity to discharge the du-
ties OF craftsmanship in It's highest
and most comprehensive sense?
Henderson was n type of this kind
of man in his party, Allen, of his par
ty likewise, was capable of stating his
opinions, giving reasons and command
ing attention when he essayed to
speak upon public questions. Nebras-
ka never had more forcible or re-
spected representation in the upper
body of the national legislature than
when 1t had these men there.
What Senator Burkett may develop
along these lines remains to be seen
He bids fair, with ripening years and
experience, to be strong and aggres-
sive force in the upper chamber, not
withstanding that he is reputed to
have been the product Of fight among
the railroads.
Now, is 1t not about time that we
reform our conduct in this matter?
Why is 1t that Nebraska has no man
In Its entire delegation in congress
capable Of presenting the popular side
of the railroad question in congress,
as did Dolliver of Iowa, Clapp of Min
nesota, Hepburn of Iowa, or even MS
did Foraker of Ohio and Lodge of Mas.
sachusetts, respectively, the one
against all legislation and the other for
what is called the conservative view,
of permitting n review of the action
of the commission by the courts be-
fore becoming effective?
Take the Philippine bill and the
statehood bill-what man Is there so
prominent in the Nebraska delegation
as to attract the national gaze because
OF the mental grasp and the power he
brings to consideration of the ma
tional questions of such import? We
are not saying that the members of
the present delegation haven't the abil-
ity. We believe that on the whole
the greater part of them are able men,
but most of them have been taken sud
denly out of private life and placed
questions entirely out of line with their
experience and study.
In view of the custom which has pre-
vailed in Nebraska, of constantly
changing party representatives in the
national legislature, or of the other
fact that in this state party lines are
so closely drawn that success may one
year mount the banner of one, and the
next that of another party-wisdom
prompts the selection of the ablest
men and the most experienced men, in
order to make a quick impression on
affairs when they venture into public
life. We have able men in this state
possessing character and experience
but perhaps not the wealth that has
heretofore seemingly been regarded as
the open sesame to position in the
United States senate. They have not
catered entirely to the will and caprice
of certain influences which are claimed
to be potent in state and national af
fairs.
There is Whedon of Lincoln, an able
lawyer, tireless and strong.
There is Rinaker of Beatrice, who
is reputed not only good lawyer but
man of analytical mind, and a splen
did reputation both as a man and q
lawyer.
There is w. P. Warner of Dakota
City, who, although yet young mar
and hence comparatively new in state
politics. is springing into public favor
faster than any other man in the state
because of his ability, honesty and
force, He stands aloof from entang
ling alliances, and his character is alb
solutely irreproachable.
There is Paul Jessen of Nebraska
City, an upright judge and said to be
peculiarly gifted in the capacity which