Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-03-22
PAYS OFF OLD GRUDGE.
Furnishes Beveridge for Pushing
Himself Forward.

w WdbulURtOu, MhICli 10 no CuieoN
States Senate has an unwritten rule
that requires eve'y new Senator to con-
duct himself modestly and unobtru'
sively during the first years OF his term
BE must not force himself into the lime.
light; he must not attempt to assume
leadership at the start; he must sit
quietly bv while others manage the
affairs of the Senate; he himself must
be a mere onlooker and a follower. He
is privileged to advocate legislation OF
local interest to his state, but he is not
privileged to jump in and shape legisla-
ton of National character.
This unwritten rule is just as sacred
to the Senate as any rule that has been
formally adopted by vote, and the Sen
ator who allows his ambition to get the
better of his judgment and attempts to
assume an important position in the
Senate during the first years OF his term
may safely expect, sooner or later. to
feel the displeasure of his older COL
leagues The mills OF the Senate some
times grind slowly, but they are effec-
tive.
No better demonstration of this fact
has ever been laid bare before the
people than the recent rebuke and de-
teat of Senator Beveridge, when he a.
tempted to secure the passage of the
Joint statehood bill AS it came over from
the House. He came to the Senate in
1899. In Indiana he was recognized as
ore of the brightest speakers in the
state; he was also credited with b ing q
man OF very great ability in many lines
Flushed by his successful campaign
before the indiana Legislature, he came
to Washington and, without waiting to
feel his way, at once mi 'cted hims' Ii in
to the very midst OF things in the
Senate. He had hardy taken his seat
before he began to speak on every inn
portant occasion. The Senate realized
at once that Mr.. Beveridge was a man
Of more than ordinary attainments; it
in him fluent ard ready
speaker snd perhaps good campaigner;
it may have seen much to approve in
the sentiments be uttered, but for all
hat the Senate did not like his manner.
He had transRressed that unwritten
rule, and as first rebuke he usually
spoke to an empty Senate, though to
Sell-flled galleries.
But M. Beverldge either ignored the
insult or else did not understand. He
, ntinued to speak whenever any topic
,f general importance was before the
Senate. Every speech be made did
lim injury. At the end Of two years,
urn of the wheel of fortune made him
chairman of the committee OH terri
ories, and as its chairman he became
he manager of the statehood bill. up 10
hat time dead issue. With his char
.cteristic vi aud determination he re-
rived the bill, reported it to the Senate,
md started to force its passage. He
lad it made the unfinished business in |
course of time, but it became the |
buffer" used by older Senators to kill |
more Objectionable legislation, and Mr..
3everidge was not permitted to get a
,ote. It was the same IN the next Con-
,ress and. while there were volumes of
ak on statehood, there was no vote.
When the present Congress convened
dr. Beveridge announced that the joint
statehood bill (somewhst different from
he original bill, but providing for two
tates) would be passed before the Holi-
lays. The House passed the two-state
ill, Mr.. Beveridge reported IT to the
,enate, and then began his fight, but he
vas beaten from the start. The Senate
wed him grudge it was getting tired
# statehood debate, so it permitted the
king of a day for a vote and, when