The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-03-06
SEN. ALLISON N
CONGRESS42
YEARS
On Monday Iowa Man Had
Served "a Years in the SEN
ate Chamber.
vas MEMBER Of HOUSE
FOR OTHER EIGHT YEARS
Senator Morgan Another Veteran in
Lawmaking Branch Of the Public
Service-Has Been In Senate Thirty
Years-Both Morgan and Allison
Stand For Recitation.

Monday with the closing of the session
OF the flfty-ninth congress a large
number of senator's and representa-
tives. some Of long service and some
of short service, wound up their ca
) reers In the halls Of congress: In this
connection some one recalled the fact
that the venerable Senator William
Boyd Allison of Iowa was 7S years old,
Needless to say he received a continu-
Gus stream Of congratulations from
members of both branches Of congress.
The anniversary also reminded his
colleagues that on Monday Uncle Bill
ly." as he is endearingly known by
everyone In national public life, round
ed out forty-two years in congress and
thirty-four years in the United States
senate-a longer term than any other
man In that chamber and, with one ex-
ception, the Longest In the history of
the republic.
The next longset term of any pres
ent senator is that Of John T. Morgan
of Alabama, with thirty years. Close
behind him are the two senator's from
Maine, Mr.. Hale and Mr.. Frye, who en-
tered the senate together twenty-six
years ago. and Senator Aldrich of
Rhode Island, who came several
months later. Mr.. Allison's lead is al
ready so strong that with the two re-
naming years of his present term add
ed he will probably hold the record for
a century to come.
II Senator Morgan were a young
man he woud stand show perhaps to
pass the Iowa senator's record. With
thirty years. tenure to his credit now,
Mr.. Morgan has recently been re-elect-
ed to a sixth term, so that, should Mr..
Allison's career close in 1909 at the
end of his present term, 1t is at least
possible for Morgan to tie him.
With break of two years that
elapsed between his leaving the house
and entering the senate, Senator ALI
son has been in congress steadily since
1868, and what he does not know about
legislative methods will probably new
er be known by any one. AS chairman
of the appropriation committee he has
for years occupied one Of the most in
fluential positions in all councils of
congress, and as head of the Repub-
lican steering committee he has con-
trolled the consideration of all political
measures.
Senator Allison's health occasioned
some concern at the beginning of this
session, but he appears now to have
completely recovered from his illness.
During the past month he has been in
his seat every day and is as active Oh
the floor. as clear Of thought and ready
in speech as ever.
Senator Allison has been a power in
shaping the course of the nations
greatest affairs. With every president,
It is said, that he has been in close
touch, especially with President Nc
Kinley and President Roosevelt. He
enjoys the fullest confidence of his
friends In Iowa, in congress and in
Washington's official circles.
There has been but one member Of
congress whose tenure of ofiice ex-
ceeded the present record of Senator
Allison. This was Justin 8. Morrill, Of
Vermont, who was in the house twelve
years and then followed 1t up with
thirty-two years in the senate, making
a total of forty -four years In congress.
Iowans are hopeful that before their
grand old leader shall have cast aside
his senatorial toga he will have round
ed out half century in the work of
congress.
Senator Allison is practically sure OF
a reelection in 1909, which, II he HIVES
to serve out his seventh term, not at
all improbable, as he Is only 70, will
give him record Of forty-two years in
the senate and eight years In the house,
total Of just fifty years.
Senator Morgan is now SO years of
age. Under these circumstances, and
in view of the fact that he has a lead
Of four years over Senator Morgan, It
is safe to say that Senator Allison's
record Of long service in the upper
branch of congress is in no danger for
many years to come.