Daily Kennebec journal., 1908-12-08
A Washington Tribute to Hale.

days Of our government has any state
had the distinction which is now
Maine's in the United States Senate.
ramely, having its two Senators stand
at the head of that body in point of
seniority of service. This emincnce
comes to Senators Frye and Hale
through the death OF Senator Allison
Eef Iowa, and, moreover, it is no little
satisfaction to the people of Maine to
know that not only in length of service
do these Senators stand at the head Of
the list, but also that In all that body
there, are no members of greater abi-
ity or influence and no members who
command greater respect from their
associates and from the country at
large.
At the session Of Congress which
opens today Names delegation of four
in the House contains two new nlern-
bcrs, Mr.. Swasey in place Of Mr.. Lit
tlelield, resigned, and Mr.. Guernsey in
place of Mr. Powers, deceased. Both
Of the new members are men whom
Maine is proud to send to Washington
and who will without question prove
worthy Of the confidence reposed in
them. Dut they are new men at the
national capitol and have yet to win
places for themselves in national af-
~ Moi, ,'e.
prestige was never higher than at the
present time. and in this connection the
following splendid editorial tribute tc
Senator Hale which appears in the
Washington Star, leading newspaper
of the capital which views men from a
national standpoint and is not given to
bcstoWing praise. upon men in public
life unless they fully deserve it. Here is
what the Star says of Senator Hale:.
Mr.. Hale, who succeeds Mr. Allison
at the head of the Senate appropria-
tlons committee. is, as was the 1oWan,
q veteran public servant. Like him
also, he began in the House, and after
winning his spurs there was trans
fcrred to the Senate. He became 9
Senator nearly twenty-eight years ago,
and came at once into prominence. His
training in the House had prepared
him for mis- senatorial duties, and n.
took them up with ease and success.
Best known as chairman of the. ma
val committee, Mr.. Hale has yet rerv-
entirely familiar with his new duties.
Standing so long at Mr.. Allisons side,
lie had helped in the work of providing
for the governments needs until he isl
acquainted with all the details. The
supply bills i'll his hands should fare as
well as they did in the hands of his
predecessor.
This post in the Senate is one of the
greatest responsibility. In the House
the supply bills now are divided up.
The appropriations committee proper
prepares only a portion of them. But
all these bills when they reach the
Senate are referred to one committee
for examination. and all are more or
less revised by it. Thus the work at
every session of Congress IS not only
of the greatest Importance, but of the
largest proportions. No other commit
tee of the Senate is quite SO much oc-
cupied.
Mr.. Allison was the ideal man to pre-
Size over these lahors, and, later to ex-
plain them to the Senate and the coun-
try. He was all business. His kncwl- |
cage of his subject was always full. |
The Senate always heard him with
close attention. He never wasted a |
moment of it's time. When he rose it |
was to say something to the matter ur-
ler discussion, and when he had said |
it he sat down. This gave him author |
ty on the floor and in committee, and |
insured progress. No member of the |
Senate spoke with greater influence
With large information and long ex-
Mr.. Hale possesses ready |
GoWer as a debatcr. He is better |
speaker than was Mr.. Allison, who
halted for the right word
The Maine senator is always fueut. He
handles questions with facility and
jrevity. He rarely delivers long ad-
lrcSS. but confines himself to the touch
ihu-go of running debate, and shines
n that
Thus is emphasized again the wis
iom of holding on to Il good man once
ound and developed His value to the
,"untry constantly increases. Maine
las long occupied a conspicuous place
tmong the states properly rewarding
aithful congressional service. The re-
'ult has been to give her much prestige
n both houses. Her present senators
we're commissioned within a few
months of each ether, and each is ap-
reaching the thirty-ycar mark Mr.
rye no less than Mr.. Hale, stands
Ugh among his associates, and as char
nan of the commerce committee assists
n shaping much important legislation.
While as president pro tenn. he fire.
uently occupies the chair with dignity
nd ability and to the entire satisfac-
ion Of the Senate.