The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-09-22
MANY EYES WILL
WATCH SMITH.
Goes as a Member to Perhaps the
Most Deliberative Body in the
World Without Entangling Politi-
cal Alliance and With Clean
Stretch Before Him.
News and Courier.

News and Courier.
Washington, Sept. 17-When South
Carolina s new senator-E. D. Smith
takes his seat. in the upper branch
Of congress, beside his colleague-Ben-
:jamin Ryan Tillman-at the begin
ming Of the next session Of that body
he will not be without kinsmen, per-
haps. Just across the aisle in the
senate chamber is the seat Of VIII
liam Alden Smith. Of Michigan, de-
scendant of John Alden, and one Of
the progressive young men Of the up
per house. Down at the other end of
the big capitol building may be
found all manner and make Of Smiths
good, bad and indifferent, as the
saying goes-some democrats and
some republicans, but all Smiths for
that matter. There is Smith, Of CAL
ifornia: Smith; of. Iowa, a republican,
of course; Smith, of Missouri; Smith,
of Arizona; Smith, Of Michigan, and
Smith, of Texas, the latter being the
only democrat Of the Smith family in
the house.
William Alden Smith only went to
the senate in 1907 upon the death of
Gen. R. A. Alger, and was subse-
quentlv elected for full term Of
six years. Therefore South Caro-
lina's Smith will have an almost even
start for senatorial honors, although
the Michigander has been conspic-
uouS figure in house politics while he
was grooming for the senate. He was
an apt pupil Of ':Uncle Joe" Cannon
and learned readily.
It is not altogether certain that E.
D. Smith will be assigned the partic-
ular seat now held by Senator Frank
B. Gary, although he may ask for it
and be in close touch to his older COL
league-Tillman. When Senator Lat
inner was in the senate his seat was
some distance from that Of Senator
Tillman- Of the former being
about the middle Of the democratic
side, while that Of the Edgefield
statesman is the first seat to the left
on entering the main senate door.
When Mr.. Gary came to Washing
ton as the Junior senator from South
Carolina lie was assigned to a place
in close proximity to Senator Till
man, and, though the two were sell
dom seen in discussion, it is assumed
that the seat was given him because
it was thought, he would want to be
near Ti1lman. It will be interesting,
therefore. as everything else is that
happens N or about The senate-even
the smallest things are sometimes in
teresting-to see what section Of the
democratic side Mr.. Smith will go. If
he makes a request Of the sergeant-at-
arms of the senate he would probab-
ly be assigned to the Gary seat, 9th
erwise he will sit nearer Senator
Latimer's old place.
South Carolinians here are deeply
interested in Mr.. Smith. They have
watched the political race in their old
State for the past year and many and
carious have been the views express
ed for one candidate or another, but
for obvious reasons this correspondent
has maintained his silence, and
through the News and Courier has
endeavored to express no preference
for any one Of the half dozen men
who were aspiring to the senate. Now,
however. that its all over, a word
for Mr.. Smith.
It should be remembered that Mr..
Smith cones 20 the upper branch OF
congress. II many respects the most
tleliberative body in the world, free
Of political associations or ties Of any
kind. with his hands free and moth
ing but a clean stretch before him.
He will be expected to do many things,
especially early in his career. But
this is just what he will rot do if he
is wise and takes the advise Of old
timers. There is nothing that 50 mars