The Detroit times., 1908-05-06
w ashington
Lette r.

WASHINGTON. May Slime was
In the senate when a new member
who ventured to oppose the ruling
coterie--or the old-timers--would be
so thoroughly disciplined that he
would not forget in years. Time was
when new senators sat still and list
ened when the old-timers spoke and.
II they had feelings persuading them
10 arise and ofter a criticism. they
smothered them. The old-timers were
the bosses.
That time was IL is not the case
at present. The young senators are
kicking over the traces with vehe-
mence that Is startling. IL Is particu-
larly startling 10 the old-timers them
selves. The guardians OF traditions
are much surprised, TO say nothing OF
their Indignation. They cannot un-
derstand why the fiedglings are so
Darlington perhaps, they have never
noticed that the pin feathers have
long since disappeared TO be replaced
by pinions swift and enduring.
Until this session, the young sena-
tor had 10 sit around on the outside
edge and pick at the crumbs OF the
real craftsmanship OF the senate. II
is natural that some time he would
get tired
One time Senator Dolliver slipped
the halter and capered around, caus.
ing some annoyance TO the old-timers.
He was, OF course. punished for II and
became content not to get obstreper-
Gus again. but the days OF disciplining
the refractory are rapidly passing
The young senator, II he has some
thing TO say, gets up on his legs and
says IL. He does not consult the feel
ings OF the older men before doing
80, either
There's Senator Hale. of Maine. for
instance. In my last letter. explain
ed that Senator Hale was one OF the
last men the younger senators would
cross swords with. Along came Sen.
ator Burkett. who did not like
speech OF Senator Hale's and he stood
right up In the aisle and said 30. Ev-
eryone held their breath to see what
would happen. Then they began to
breathe naturally again-for nothing
happened.
It Is pretty hard for the old-timers
to let go their grasp OF the senate.
They feel II keenly. For 20 years Sen
ator Hale has scolded the members
whenever he felt like II. This scold.
Ing caused the brewing OF a revolt.
When one of the younger element
resented something done by the older
senators, he was not alone in the
movement. He had the sympathy Of
the gallery. as well as the younger
men on the floor
2anafnr Il a EnIlotfa uhA nauav Ala
show a disposition to bow TO yoke,
has evidenced the audacity to say nay
when he did not like the exercise Of
the prerogative Of the old-timers.
There was an anxious moment not
long ago when the AldrIch bill was
up for consideration. 1t was with diff
forced into line. Borah, Bourne,
ed against II. Senator Aldrich scnwl-
ed right merrfly when he saw the re-
volt.
Beverage. OF Indiana. kicks up
once in a while: Dixon. OF Montana,
refuses to 60 along smoothly when
the road does not suit him; William
Alden Smith Is not entirely amenable
to discipline and numoer OF others
grow refractory when they are so In
clined. AS matter OF fact. the young
Senators now pounce upon every OPP
portunity to break.
A prominent Georgia politician
dropped into Washington TO see the
senator from his state the other day
After general conversation. he said
this:
'Takin' my liquor home, now. r
have my little bottle on the sideboard.
Wife objected at first till told her
saved about FIVE cents on every drink.
The other night she said. Now,
Bob. you've had your drink and saw
ed nve cents-its time to go to
bed
Yes" l told her. "but | feel more
than ordinarily saving tonight think
d