The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1907-04-19
OUR DISTINGUISHED IEGIsLA
TORS.

he usual sixteen holdovers. but thir-
cen. an unlucky number It's said, and
indeed this session the number has
1een the token of misfortune. because
and true who would have made out
the customary sixteen. Two of their
places are filled with new members.
but one desk, dTaped in mourning,
pays a silent tribute to Senator New
Ian. OF the seventeenth. whose seat
will remain empty the first month of
the session. and until his successor is
elected and qualified.
Amongst the thirteen are Senator
TrammCll. of the seventh, the curly
headed young man who presided over
the senate two years ago, and whose
political eye is said 10 be fixed on the
seat in the national house of repre-
sentatives which for the past twelve
years has been warmed continuously
by Uncle steve" Sparkman. senior
democratic member of the committee
.on rivers ana harborS. and near him
sits his next door neighbur down in
south Florida. Senator Crane. of th,-
eleventh, Past Grand Chancellor of
the Florida knights of Pythias. = man
who would have made Il splendid pre-
siding officer If the body. graceful in
his manner. and born &C. prrsbl. over
a dclihcrativc body.
Senator Humphrics. IF Tho twenty
3, Sci.
90. tr Zee more accurate. and official be
cause all editors are more. "r Joss poll
ticiau5. He has the distinction OF be
.ine president of thu Florida state
Press Association.
Senators Massey, of III" nineteenth.
Neel, of the Third, ana West OF the
first, are conspicuous among the hold
overs as well.
Amongst the technically new" men
are Senator Adams. Of the thirticth.
who, however, has represented his dis
trict for years and has twice been
presiding officer of the senate. and
who, had he desired il. might perhaps
again have sat in the chair filed by
lanother able senator of long service in
legislative halls. Senator Harris. OF
the thirty first
Senator Broome is technically new
the sixth district for years. except dur
ling his unsuccessful race for secre-
tary of state. and is back again as the
watchdog of the treasury.
Senator Beard is a conspicuous fig
IRE in the hall Of the upper house and
though defeated AT nearly every turn
in his movements in connection with
the investigation of the internal inn
provement fund, has before the senate.
reported favorably, II proposed
amendments to the state constitution
which will if adopted test the validity
of the amendments To the national con-
stitution. which have forced negro suf-
frage on the south for the past forty
years.
DR.. Grill is back again from the
twenty sixth. and is Of course. chair
man of the committee on finance and
taxation. His nearest neighbor in roll
call is Senator Crews. of the fifteenth
who is a familiar figure in the sen-
ate. and will doubtless be there as
long as he wants il. Senator NcCreary
of the thirty second. is another man
his district keeps on sending back
and fittingly enough, is chairman on
public printing.
Senator Baker, of the twentieth.
perhaps the most distinguished look
ing member of the body. is not a
stranger to the capital. though a new
man in the senate. for he represented
Sumter county in the stormy sessions
of 1897 in the oliver house in the days
fight for the United States senate. iS
one Of the oldest members. but does
not look il. and is none too old t. be-
elected some day To the chair for
which he was Il candidate this session
of the opponents of Senator Harris.
though he Withdrew before the caucus
convened. i'm the interests IF har-
mpnY.
cut Of tn" thirty-nnc members "f
the senate. these are especially prnmi-
nent at The present time, and a. Tho
senate goes on. there * not a man in
the lower house who will not in all
probability, have introduced or cham
piOned some successful measure 10 the
interests Of the people of his district
and the state.
The SiXty-nine members Of the house
of representatives. while their material
is no better than that in the senate.
though doubtless equally - good. pre-
sentS a larger number Of choose from.
Passing oyer the speaker, Mr. Nath-
ews, IF Starke. and Mr. Knowles. Of
Monroe. speaker pro tenn. concerning
whom considerable has already bo"n
written. the members on the floor are
a variegated and very able lot Of rep
resentative men. in fact apparently as
we'll as in name. Owing L. his brill
liant parliamentary victory, which
might be termed under circumstances.
IAN application OF the gag rule" Mr..
Calkins. OF Nassau. occupies n, cen
ter OF the stage in the house for III.
last day or 80 of tho session. IN 10