The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-11-11

-Four Of the veteran Senators who
have long been known as members OF
the inner council Of the Senatorial fam
lily will be missing when Congress con-
venes in December. Their places on the
big and powerful committees must be
given to somebody else, and the reor-
ganization Of the committee list involves
admitting some new people to the inner
circle.
The inner group Of Senators is a sort
OF continuing body. like the Senate it
self. It is custodian OF the traditions OF
the Senate. It's members control the
making of the Senate committees. and
by placing themselves in control Of the
great dominating committees enable this
inside group to rule legislation.
Admit New People.
Therefore it is matter Of utmost i'm
portance that four members Of this es-
tabIished junta should be retiring at
extent be admitted to the Senatorial
holy Of HOLES.
Who Is to be let IN?
Teller Of Colorado. Spooner Of Wiseon-
sin, Blackburn Of Kentucky. and Nor
gan OF Alabama are the four retiring
members OF ''the family" Teller and
Blackburn were defeated. Morgan died.
SpOOneF resigned. SpOoner was the only
Republican in the group. 1t is expected
that after March 4 Allison. veteran Of
them all, will sit no more at the mead
OF the Appropriations Committee table,
and that startling change will be borne
in mind in studying the changes now.
Control Of the Senate committees gives
real domination TO a group composed OF
Allison, Aldrich, Hale. Elkins- Frye,
Daniel, Cullom. Clark Of Wyoming,
Warren OF wyoming, and their close
allies who are not yet exactly OF the
inne-most circle.
Powers in the Group.
The four named Senators who retire
have been powers in this group. Just
a little outside have stood such Sona-
tors as Lodge, Foraker, kean, Crane,
Clapp, Penrose, Culberson, and others
OF their status. Beyond these come the
rank and file OF Senators who take
what is given them in committee posts,
enjoy such appearancO OF influence as
is not inconsistent with the domination
OF the real managers, and grumble un-
anxiety of the select council TO do all
the real work-and retain the power.
Every time a new Congress comes on
there are mutter1ngs OF revolt among
these lower strata Of the Senatorial
structure. II never yet has come 10
anything. There are some ambitious
young Senators right now who would
90 ahead. and revolt II they were sure
they would win. II they should ever get
the courage 70 do 50, and should sue
coed they would end the geTTymander
of places and power, and make the Sen
ate vastly more representative than II
now is. But there is small chance Of
such a thing happening now.
The great Senate Committees Of APP
propriauOns, Finance, Military Affairs,
Rules, Commerce, Interstate Commerce,
are the ones handling
the big business IN the main. These
the family" keeps carefully in hand
Then by a generous distribution Of the
good places of committees Of great
finger of authority Into everything that
is presumed TO need watching.
Insiders Name Committees.
This is what makes the Senate what
is is. The Senate names its own COM
mittees-thrOugh the Committee on Com
mittees-and the Committee on Commit
tees represents the insiders. To break
into this charmed group is unheard OF
one must serve a long nOvitiate, must
develop ability, and also a due docility
and conservatism, and must be persona
grata In general. II is desirable that