The sun., 1907-08-11
senator Cranes Fine Lack Of Literary
Ambition.

senator Cranes Fine Lack OF Literary
Ambition.
If a more sagacious statesman than
Senator WINTHROP MURRAY CRANE is
TO be found in the world his name has
eluded the compilers. On occasion the
silent man Of Dalton has seen fit to at
tend a public dinner or a neighborhood
barbecue. where when urged to address
the company he has administered a
condensed sedative tablet and resumed
his seat, safe, sane. solid apd beloved
of all who rejoice in abbreviated oratory.
On occasion, also, the Hon. MURRAY
CRANE can decline to attend.
The latter course was followed by him
upon receipt Of an invitation TO the
clambake and powpow Of the Dorches-
ter Republican Club at Nantasket Point
last Thursday. Senator CRANES alb
sence was one of the most brilliant Of
postprandial triumphs. He missed Q
good deal. and his friends are uncom-
monty glad he did
In Massachusetts, fsvorite sport is to
buy a pair of retired locomotives, sell
admission tickets, and propel the two
junk wagons into each other at full
speed slight modification Of this
amusement had been provided for Thur
days feast and nothing but the wisdom
of Senator CRANE in remaining away
prevented his being a third party to
the smashing. The Dorchester Repub-
lican Club ran an irresistible force against
an immovable body. Governor CURTIS
GUILD, Jr., whose motto is do IL Now!'
impinged upon the granite front OF
Senator HENRY CABOT LODGE, whose
favorite recitation is The Day After
Never" II the Republican State con-
vention can straddle that infinite abyss
the tariff plank in the national platform.
next year will be easy
Governor GUILD is for immediate re-
vision all the time. after you once feel
the jolt Of election day. Senator LODGE,
like BEAU BRUNnlEL when his valet an
nounced clamoring creditors, is for
promising them something" when they
clamor and talking State issues when
they subside. The Governor on Thurs
day pointed with pride to the petition
to the President, signed by members OF
the Legislature and pretty much every
body else on Beacon Hill except Lieu
tenant-Governor DRAPER, who has a
sense of humor) demanding an extra
session of Congress, a tariff commits
sion.. the maximum and minimum. and
as the test not "Is such a duty de-
manded?" but "Is such a duty needed?"
His eyes ablaze with the fire Of youth,
the Governor looked into the summer
faces Of the cohorts and the CLAIMS and
: amid wild applause proclaimed: Il could
not change that record if | would.
would not change it if could!"
The more experienced and less i'm
petuous Senator LODGE pronounced
against any such ehildishness. There
is altogether too much discussion OF
national issues in State campaigns, the
Senator said. ~ serve notice on our
opponents that this year we shall discuss
State issues only"
If the Democrats do not understand
this it is their own fault, for the Senator
has announced it every summer since
the tariff began to be debated again
after the demise of sixteen to one. It
was not until then that he made State
! issues his life work.
Not oniv on the tariff, however, did
the Governor feel .he restraining hand
of his trainer. To what State issues
did the Senstor refer? He promised
to reveal the secre. in his speech as
! chairman of the State convention. But
who can doubt that he had in mind the
railroad merger? Alas and alack! the
Governor had thrown the merger over.
Il have asked the commission on COM
merce and industry 10 report as experts
on the desirability OF giving steamships,
trolley lines, steam lines and express
over TO one great monopoly Jack the
Giant Killer has sent substituted! Boil
EN- in oil, bump lem off Anything you
like, so long as you do not add to the
cruel responsibility of this awful Office
which is hurrying me to the grave"
1t promises to be an animated canvass
We are reminded that some days ago
State committeeman was deputed to
call up Senator CRANE and ask him II
he would like to write the State platform.
NO, thanks, replied Mr.. CRANE.