Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-11-06
Tribute to a Maine Senator.

VftOute TO a "aIne SENATOR
The Army and Navy Register. the
leading publication devoted to the in
in it's latest issue has a most apprecia-
tive article on Senator Hale of this
State who has long been chairman of
the naval committee. This article
simply voices the national estimate of
Senator Hale, and as it is SO well writ
ten and of so much interest to Maine
people the Journal gladly publishes it
in full.
Senator Eugene Hale, chairman of
the Senate naval committee, is one of
the ablest and most prominent men in
public life. No senator is more in
huential, more trusted or more effective
in the committee room or on the floor
of the Senate. His advice is much
sought in legislation, not being confined
to matters Immediately under his con-
troll. He has gained a merited reputa-
ton for managing bills in the Senate.
He seldom makes what may be termed
a speech, but often courts inquiry from
other senators in relation to bills in his
charge. His language is scholarly and
choice. He speaks without notes and
his remarks do not need revising. He
has margCd Seif-cOntrOl and is at his
best in colloquial debate, when eX-
traneous matter is suddenly sprung
upon the Senate. A short time be-
fore he died, Senator Hanna took him
to task for not talking more. The
business men of Maine look to no one
more than to him for help when mat
ters of Importance to them need able
handling in the departments or in Con-
SresS.
He is criticised, both at home and
throughout the country for his position
in regard to Cuba and the acquisition
of the Philippines, but the honesty of
his purpose and the wisdom of his con-
sentative course, recognized by many
prominent in his party at the time, are
more generally accredited now. The
senator's brief speeches on appropria-
tons for the isthmian canal and the
Morocco conference created marked i'm
prcssions, as have the few suggestions
! he has offered on the railroad rate bill.
Senator Hale's prominence in mat
| tiers relating to the Navy is familiar to
| all who follow congressional proceed
| ings. He has the honor of having re-
| ported in the Senate every naval APP
preparation bill for the building Of the
new Navy. from 1881 to the present
time. In naval legislation, having be-
! come thoroughly familiar with this
! branch of the public service, he has at
! times differed with prominent naval
officers as to legislation to be enacted,
and is now opposed to a majority of he
! board (Which recommends as to the
navy as to the change of the
| battle ships at the head of our
naval program. His speech on the
naval appropriation bill in the last
| Congress is pronounced by legislators
and others familiar with the subject as
one of the ablest and most thorough
| which has been made since the new
| Navy was begun. 1t covers all the
phases of the question and shows that
| we stand, in reckoning all vessels built
and building. nearly abreast of the
other great naval powers of the world
and the comparison given in this
speech with the other navies of the
globe has been often quoted in con-
gressiOnal debate. OF late, Senator
Hale outside of his work on the com
mittee on appropriations, of which he is
the second member, and on the COM
mittec on naval affairs, of which he is
chairman has devoted consider
able time to the subject Of the United
States carrying the supplies for the
Army and Navy in ships owned by the
United States, and successfully con-
Quoted through the Senate a bill ac-
complishing this purpose.
| He is also much Interested in
Identifying the city of Washington and
in having public buildings placed OF
the triangle below Pennsylvania ave
nue, between the Botanic Garden and
the treasury and in the last Congress
lead the opposition to Senator Fair
bank bill which seeks to place some
of the public buildings elsewhere.
OF course, Senator Halc's long ser
vice has given him advancement which
comes from seniority of service, but
this alone could not have given him the
share of friendship and the confidence
of the body which he possesses; il
would not make him one Of the leading
members next to the chairman of the
steering comnitte. or have given him
the Craftsmanship of committees
which he has held during the two last
reorganiations of the Senate commit
tees
Mr.. Hale has no aspirations beyond
the Senate. He has been twice Of
fcred a cabinet position and promi-
nent metropolitan journal. in suggest
ing him for consideration as a candi-
date for President said: 'Mr. Hale's
| career has not been a mcteOric one, a
flash. report and disappearance
brilliant for years; it has been ever OF
distinguished merit, and, while ths
entire republic has had the results OF
his unceasng work. Maine has acted
with the rarest wisdom in giving the
country such a senator"