Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-11-28

overlooking the fact that in the latter
years of bis life he was openly at war
with President Mckinley and Presi-
dent Roosevelt on the grayest public
issues, reelected him to the senate
without dissenting voice, for Ia all
that great community no man could
be found to suggest the proprlety OF or
geniHing scene Of strife about the
most venerable figure in the history
of the com mon~ealth. II is TO the
indefite credit Of Massachusetts that
her people. with feverent considera-
ton. knowing that his race was run.
allowed that old statesman to fall at
high commission in his trembling
to the world two volumes which he
called, "Recollections OF Seventy
Years" intend 10 read To you, what
he had to say about our beloved sena-
tor. When | entered the house, VIII
liam B. Alison Of Iowa had already ac-
qnired great influence there; he mani
tested there -the qualities hat have
given MIN So much distinction in the
NSAo1S. A1C was uu0Sf StSou w I0SoI
revenue reform moderation In the en-
ercise of all doubted national powers.
But his chief distinction has been
gained by, a service of thirty years in
the senate. He was out OF public life
two years. and then was elected to
the senate. where he has been kept
by the state Of Iowa. maintaining the
confidence or his state. and OF his az
tafn p e., rfp ul
that time he has done what no other
man In the country in my Judgment
could have done so we'll. He has been
member of the committee on apr!up-
ration for thirty years. most OF The
time az chairman, and Cor twenty six
years member Of the committee ON
finance. ie has controlled more than
any other man indeed mors than any
other ten men, the vast aid constant
ly increasing public expenditures
amounting to more than Il thousand
millions annually. 1t has been an
economical and wise expenditure
That Is knowledge in which nobody
else in the senate except Senator Hale
OF Maine and Senator Cock :all OF Mis-
souri, can compare with him. He has
by his wise and moderate counsel
drawn the fire from many Wild and
dangerous scheme which menaced the
public peace and safety. 1t is said
that he is careful not to attend any.
body and that he Is unwilling tc take
responsibilities, or to commit htubelf.
There is undoubtedly some truth in
that criticism; indeed, II it were orher-
wise he would find 1t very hayt to
maintain the personal influence neccs-
sary to success, In the duties to which
DE Is Immediately devoted But he
never avoids voting. His name since
he has been senator has been first or
second alphabetically on the roll OF
the senate. he is found In the senate
chamber unless engaged in his com
mittee room on work which requires
him to be there during the session
and he always votes when his name
Is called. Helis like naval engineer
regulating the head Of steam, but sci
dom showing himself on the deck
think he has had q good deal of in
finence In some perllous times in de
Gliding whether the ship should kee1
safely on or, should run upon roci
and go to the bottom"
Countrymen Have Looked to Him 70
Guidance.
Gentlemen. l do not think 1t posi-
Bile. without the loss Of that fine mora
quality which is the chief asset Of
people like ours, to deal llnkindly wit
The old age OF public servant o
,, whom history will make the recor
that in times Of national peril hi
cuuntrymen looked to him for guild
ance which more than once saved thea
affairs shipwrsck and disaster. hav
thus far spoken Of that portion of Sen
| Of .
, not easily within the recollection {
/ the younger people OF the state. 1t
not necessary to review at length hi
recent activities in the affairs whic
nave passed under oAr immediate nc
tfce. There Is one thing. howeve
;. which | feed that | ought to speak o
l because 1t IS connected with the mos
? difficult public business I have eve
been called upon to perform. and the
; is. Senator Allison's position In OF tt
= enactment vt the recent law For III
more perfect G0ntrol Of common cal
/ rierS engage4s4n Interstate, commerc
: When l was hrst appointed to the ssr
/ ate ] was assigned to the vacancies G
{ various committees left by. the deal
Of Senator Gear: these appointment
. were understood TO be Temporal
though thew were arterward, throus
:, the good offices OF my colleague, MAJ
o permanent Among other assfsnm eTlI
,. 1 became q member of the commit
II on interstate comtnHrce one OF the a
n tive committees OF the senate. a
= though l am. bound to say Its acti
L ity has not been for some years We
!. arduons. Bills have been pending b
a fore it for several sessions for t
:, samendnent Of. the interstate COM
!, lnerce law. by giving to the oonlni
u sion aut,Ioritw 10 determine in ease
3 complaint what a. Just and rea sonat
a rate is, and to make an order putt
t. such rate into effect.
T. 1t is unfair to the senate or its COZ
l. mittee TO say that either was iuoitfe
II en- to the imDortant interests involve
"a for in 1903 an act was framed with t
/. advice OF the attorney generals otti'
- commonly known as the Ekins la
- under which a large number of actio
IL have been brought and SO successful
e prosecuted that the crime Of seen
is discrimination has been to large e
lie tent rooted out While it did not COY
H. all the questions raised by the pub
10 demand and although 1t was d
"a nounced afterwards as railro
~ scheme to defeat effective legislati,