Los Angeles herald., 1906-06-27

The names Of the men who really ac.
oomplish important results in the first
session OF the flfty-ninth congress are
few. No new figures are among them.
Nelson W. Aidrlch re-established his
right and title to the leadership OF the
senate by mastery tactics in the rail-
road rate regulation campaign. "Unole
Joe" Cannon solidided his place behind
the ramparts of the house. John sharp
Williams displayed in larger scope than
ever before his fine qualities as a leader
Of the minority in the house. Benjamin
r. Tillman is visiby greater than
when the session began. and gained
relatively more prestige than any other
man in the senate or house. Joseph W.
Bailey added to his reputation as a
lawyer and statesman. James A. Taw-
ney. developed high qualities as the
chairman OF the committee on appro-
priations of the house. This brief list
comprises all the names of those who
came prominently forward q md retained
a distinctly advanced position. A few
others were temporarily prominent but
they should hardly be included among
those who gained permanent prestige.
The overshadowing Of the session. the
railroad rate bill, played ducks and
brakes with the ambition Of several
men. 1t sent to the background Messrs
bsch and Townsend, those young rep
resentatives who had been taken up
by the president in the preceding ses-
sion, and who appeared to be on the
very eve of greatness. The huctuation
of great events during the past winter
threw them upon the rocks. while "Col,
Pete" Hepburn was forced to the front
as the great and only rate regulator in
the house. Whatever Messrs. Esch and
Townsend had to say on the subject
was ignored ana the Esoh-T Townsend
bill was like King Lear's scepter-hand
1T smelled of mortality"
Why were Messrs Esch and Town
send set aside by the potent ones?
Both were acknowledged students
experts. possibly-of the railroad rate
question. Both enjoyed the confidence
of the president. Both we're respected
in the house. and welded influence
there as men and as speakers. The
reason was not that the house loved
Esch and Townsend less, but "Col
Pete Hepburn more. "Col. Pete" was
with crisis. The old war
horse saw more foes looming up in his
district than he had ever vanquished
and he had vanqushed scores His
record as to railroads was not without
lines. like the record of
after the San Francisco
temblor 1t was necessary that "Col
Pete should be made solid with his
The only method in sight
was to make him the champion of the
most popular issue before the people
the subjugation of the railroads. So
in regular order without any friction
Messrs Esch and Townsend
were sidetracked, col. Pete" forged to
the front as the only man in the house
capable of handling the situation, and
the great bill was baptized 1.-The Hep
burn bill"
The old war horse of Clarinda re-
mains in congress in consequence of
this assistance from his potent friends.
Perhaps he was entirely Indifferent,
and looked only for the passage of
bill, under whatever name. Esch and
Townsend are young, and can weather
the stress of adverse winds and cross
"Col. Pete" is old, and had
led the charge too often to be deserted
by his allies. The future looks clear
again to him now, and instead of fall
ing before the onslaught, as Gen. Gros-
venor fell. he remains to sniff the battle
from afar, and cry to the trumpets,
Hal hal"
This was the good fortune of one
Iowan in tho rate fight. But another
Iowan did not fare so we'll. Senator
Prentiss Dolliver faced trou-
BILE, too, and it was planned to
save him by means of the rate bill.
he was lieutenant TO
Senator Cullom, on the committee on
commerce. Senator Culom
was sick and the other Republican
members were open foes or lukewarm
friends of the president. 1t was SEN
ator Delivers opportunity to become
the champion of the president and eff
fective railroad rate Legislation. He
seized it, worked hard, burned the mid
night electric bulb, frequently con-
suited the White House ad cherished