Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-08-05
FATHER OF THE SENATE,
A Long and Honorable Career in the
Service of His Country.

Washington, Aug. ito Senator AL
man who ever occupied q seat in that
body belongs the title of Father of the
Senate" He was not only one of the
oldest men in that body, but ne held
the record beyond all others for length
of Servic" there. More important still,
his service in the Senate was such that
his title to position depended not at all
upon his advanced age or extended ser
vice. Senator Allison was at the time of
his death, and had been for third of
q century, Il leader in fact as well as
in na,pa
Mr.. Allison entered the Senate March
4, 1873 and had served continuously
ever since. making the longest period
as :; member of that body ever covered
by any individual. When he died today
he had just completed the fifth month
of the 36th year of his occupancy Of
this important post, thus exceeding by
almost three years and q half the 81
years, 3 months and "a days service of
the late Senator Morrill, of Vermont,
who held the record for continuous
service previous to Senator Allison, and
the II years, II months and Ii days
service of Senator Sherman of Ohio,
who previous to Mr.. Allison. had Serv-
ed the longest time in the Senate, az
though not without interruption. Mr.
Allison first entered the Senate by ap-
pontmenr as the successor of Senator
Harlan of Iowa. He entered upon lis
first elective term in 1878. His present
term would have expired Marci. 4, 1909
,,,i l,n l,,J oil, I,, q l.,
primary for still another term.
Thus il death should not corrupt,
his service in the Senate was secured
until March 4, 1913.
In addition to his service il he Sen
ate Mr.. Allison had given years of his
life to the House of Representatives
When he entered the House the Civil
War was at its height and his service
covered not only that exciting epoch,
but also the scarcely less exciting
times of reconstruction and has been
identified with the history of the coun-
try during the administrations of Lin
coin, johnson, Grant. Hayes, Cleve-
land. Harrison. Mckinley and almost
all that of Roosevelt
For many years Senator Allison was
chairman Of the Republican caucus of
the Senate, on the Republican steering
committee and of the Senate commit
tee on appropriations. He also was, and
during much of that time neld the sec
ond position on that committee. BY
virtue of his position as chairman of
the Republican caucus and especially
Of the steering committee, Mr.. ALI
son was the technical leader of the
Senate and by virtue of his abilities he
shared the real leadership of that body
with on" or two others.
AS chairman of the steering commit
tee he was permitted to select his own
associates, and thus he became in a
particular sense the arbitrator of the
fortunes of legislation in the Senate,
for as il is generally known this COM
mittee although not recognized by law,
practically determines what important
bills shall Gc passed and what shall be
either defeated or allowed to die
1t was the steering committee, more
than any other organization of the
Senate which directed the legislation
connected with the Spanish American
War. InGeed, in latter years there has
been little. ii any, legislation of mo-
ment which has not had the sanction
of this organization.
As Il legislator Mr.. Allison gave most
of his attention to the industrial and
financial interests of the country.