Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-01
Many Changes in Upper
House Will Mark Be-
ginning of the Six
tieth Congress.

OI the T1lty-1ll1ltH CoS, VI
which number seventeen were re-
elected and thirteen retired to
give place to new men. Of the
senators eight are republicans
and seven are democrats. The
admission of Oklahoma as state
adds two to the number and
makes the coming Senate the
largest in the history of the coun-
try.
Perhaps the most important
feature of the Senate, as it will be
organized, is the fact that many
Of the older men will be missing
either through death or failure of
reelection and their places have
been filled, to a large extent, by
those who are much younger and
who come to the upper branch of
Congress from active business
careers. The traditions of the
Senate will mean very much less
to these men than they have
meant to others in the past.
There may be less of old-time
conservatism, and the Senate will
probably, in its membership and
in its views on public questions,
be more like the House of Repre-
sentatives. The rules of the SEN
ate, which are not likely to be af-
fected by this change, make it a
deliberative body and force ma
ture consideration of measures to
an extent that is not known in
the House. To that extent the
Senate will doubtless retain it's
former characteristics, but the
entrance of fifteen men from bust
ness and professional life, many
OF whom have had very little leg
islative experience anywhere, can
not fail to have an effect on the
body as whole,
The Senate will have a republican mem
thirds of the entire number. SO that lesis-
lation in that body will be controlled al
most wholly by the majority party, which
will also have power to ratify treaties
without the aid of democratic votes. This
great power will permit the republicans
to proceed with all matters that come be-
fore the Senate with entire independence
OF the minority except SO far as criticism
may be concerned.
Leadership on the republican side of the
Senate will not be materially changed.
The absence of Senator Spooner will
merely throw upon other republican
leaders more of the responsibility that
ne shared. but. OF course. all of the inn
the next two years at least be in the
hands Of the men who framed legisla-
ton during the last Congress On the
democratic side Culberson and DAME!
are both spoken OF as likely to fill the role
Of leadership. but Mr.. Culberson will
doubtless play the most prominent part
In debating the policies Of his party
He has reputation for shrewdness that
has never been quite equaled since Mr..
German was in the Senate and his fac
and In securing the results desired with
out giving them prominence at the mo-
| rnent will play great part in enhancing
his power.
The New Senators.
AS rule the fifteen new senators are
not men Of great wealth. Richardson Of
Delaware, Guggenheim Of Colorado, Ste
phenson Of Wisconsin, are men of large
fortunes. but there are no others that are
in the class of mllionaires There will
be picturesque characters. and none will
probably be pointed to with more interest
than Thomas L. Gore Of Oklahoma From
childhood he has been blind, but has,
through sheer force of character not only
educated himself. but has succeeded in
keeping pace with public matters In q re-
markable way. His very blindness drew
to his support in his campaign for the
senatorship many people who sympa-
thiZed with him in his aff1iction. but those
| who know him best say that he is a man
Of real ability who will be able to dis
cuss and vote with intelligence in the
consideration of all matters that come
before the Senate. His colleague, Robert
L. Owen. is of Indian extraction, being
one-eighth Cherokee. His Indian ancestry
is plainly stamped on his features. He Is
| over six feet high, of fine physique, with
university training. and Is a lawyer Of
great ability. He was attorney for the
Cherokee nation in its claim for about
| $S,OOOOOO against the government, and is
said to have received a fee in that con-
ne ction of three-Quarters of q million OF
QOildES. he Is lutcTcStcu III Hidiiy puElHeS4
enterprises, being an extensive banker.
| He is also the owner Of large amount of
oil production in Oklahoma. and from
| that source alone receives a very large, in
come. He will meet in the Senate Mr..
| Curtis of Kansas. also of InGn.n extrac.
| ton. being Of the Kaw Tribe of Kansas.
| Robert l.. Taylor of Kentucky, who I'D
died his way into the hearts of his con-
stituents and into political position, will
| probably be one Of the most genial of all
| the senator's. He has great number q
good stories to tell. and has sense OF
| humor that is ever present. AS violinist
he became known to the whole country
because of the unique character of his
| campaign. He carried his violin with him
and always told some funny stories and
| rendered selections on the instrument as
a part of his political meetings. @
Jefferson Davis of Arkansas has a repu-
tation as an orator that is likely to make
Mr. Tillman look to his laurels in fiery
debate.
The Oklahoma Senators
The Oklahoma senators. although they
have been provided with credentials from
tire governor Of their state, win not be al
lowed, according to the opinion of we'll
informed senators. to enter the Senate
until their election occurs, some time IL
December. They were selected at pri
mary election, but the procedure in thei
cases up to the present time has not con
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