The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-02-09
Glance at Senators Elected by
the Different States.
AVERAGE AGE IS YOUTHFUL
Terms Of Thirty Senators Expire in
March and Twenty three Seats
Have Already Been Filled
Many New Faces.

WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-of th'
seats of thirty senator's whose term'
Of office expire the coming 4th o'
March. 2S have been filled by the var
ious state legislatures, In two states
however, the struggle is still on, with
but few signs for an immediate con-
clusion being reached.
In New Jersey a determined effort
is being made TO prevent the return
OF Mr.. Dryden. the rich capitalist and
head of one Of The great insurance
companies of the country. The flgh;
against him is not only personal but
because of the alleged fact that he is
a pronounced corporation man and
representatives of those interests tina;
have injured the reputation of the
party in the state. The chief iiffi-
Guilty of those opposing Mr. Dryden's
return appears to be the impossibility
Of centering upon any one Of sufficient
strength 10 draw TO him the few con-
crete anti-Dryden republican votes or
induce the weak kneed Dryden fol-
lowers TO enter into the enemy's camp,
In Rhode Island, the contest is an
endeavor to prevent the return of
George Peabody Wetmore, the man
who bears name that a few years
ago was amply sufficient TO conjure
with in the politics Of any New Eng
land state. The opposition to Mr.. Wet
more is badly divided and he and mis-
friends have not given up the fight
by any means. Just where Mr., AL
drich stands is supposed to be ques-
tionable, although the senior senator
from Little Rhody declares ne is Keep
ing hands off and is as friendly to Mr..
Wetmore as to any OF the other candi-
dates, all Of whom are his personal
friends.
OF those Senators who can read
their title clear to their seats, begin
ming with the Sixtieth Congress, sew
enteen have been reelected, and Of this
group, possibly the most conspicuous
is Mr.. Cullom, the venerable old man
from Illionois, who has been return
ed to his fifth election term in the
Senate Mr.. Cullom came out victor
ious in the first election held under
the new primary law. in a campaign
in which he was handicapped by the
want of money, and his chief poll
tical asset, was his long and honorable
career in the public service in which
he had always looked out for the pub
lie good as he was given TO see the
method by which the greatest good
for the greatest number could be ac-
complished, and the further fact that
his honesty could never be questioned.
He is a poor man and had ne failed
of reelection it would have been diff |
ficult for him to have figured out just
how he would have made a living dur
ing his declining eyars. With such
handicap, he won signal victory over
other men who were not popular be-
fore the people but who were ambi- |
tious and aggressive opponents.
Among those elected to serve for the |
first time and in the list of those re-
elected, doubtless there are men VINO |
may be subjected to criticism, because |
of their methods in public life and |
the records they have thus for achiey-
ed, but there are many others whose |
return is distinct public benefit, and !
their retirement would have been a !
loss not only to the states that elected |
them but 10 the country at large. In |
this class may be named such men as |
Frye, Of Maine, Bacon, Of Georgia, and |
Morgan Of Alabama. These and others
like them, are men of great USE
fulness and Of talents that are needed |
in the construction Of proper legisla
tion and exposing the fallacies Of pro-
positions that seem at times to be in
imical to good government.
Going TO the far South, it may be
said that practically all Washington
is glad to see the return Of Mr.. Bail /
ey, Of Texas. AS to the great ability /
of Mr.. Bailey, no one has ever ex-
pressed doubt. When he speaks par
ticularly on legal questions, every law
yer in the Senate is required to take
notice. What will be the effect Of the
charges made against him in his own
state, remains to be seen. Mr. Car
mack, of Tennessee leaves the body at
a time when he was commencing to
show the stuff Of which he is made.
For two or three years he was one of
the quiet members of the Senate. His
speech on the Brownsville affair a few
weeks ago opened the eyes of the Sen
ate to the capacity of the man for a
clear insight into public questions and
his fine discernment with regard to
questions Of law. He goes out Of the
Senate accompanied by the sincere re-
srets of his associates who only learn
ed to appreciate him when it was too
late. In the retirement of Mr.. Berry,
Of Arkansas, that small group of Con-
Pederate soldier statesmen becomes still
further diminished In number and in
1uence. Mr. Berry was not an orator;