New-York tribune., 1908-08-16

down stairs had a great quarrel with any man
or had maze lot of enemies you would have neen
President
The appearance of Senator Allison in his seat in
the Senate chamber has been thus described: "A
little man, below medium height. with bowed
shoulders, bushy shock of dry white hair and
a neatly trimmed beard, the veteran Iowan can
be seen every day in his seat giving close heed
to the business proceedings. a who seldom
talks and never by any possibility commits HIM
self to definite statement, he yet contrives to be
one Of the most important Of the inner circle of
Senate managers. He is a prince of cOunsellors
and advisers, cautious. prudent. conservative. tenn
perate, unhasty in speech or action, never making
a false move any move that is not necessary.
he is always in his seat and never avoids voting.
Ever since he has been Senator his name has
been first or second in the roll of the Senate. and
on every important question he is on record. The
dreariest of debates cannot drive him from his
station when he has nSthing else to do. He sits
all day, with his head dropped forward on his
chest, sometimes moving for hours at a time.
He might be thought asleep but for the twinkiing
eyes under his bushy brows. Mr.. Allison always
dresses in solemn black clinginS consistently to
the long frock coat of statesmanship. In sum
ner he makes a slight concession to the rising tenn
perature by wearing a straw hat Nobody ever
saw him hot. cold either. for that matter
Whatever may be the temperature, physical or
mental, OF those about him, the senior Senator
from Iowa is always normal
In his autobiography the late Senator Hoar OF
Massa chusetts says this of his Iowa contemporary:
Il have never any indication that he is inter
ested in anything has any special knowledge or
ACCOMPLISHMENT except what is necessary TO the
line of his duty. l do not know that he has any
interest in history literature science or music
What he does in his time of recreation-if he ever
has any time for recreation-I cannot tell He
never seems to take any active interest IN any OF
the questions which determine the action of the
party or the destiny Of the state except those that
relate to finance. / the word finance in the
largest sense, including means for raising revenue
and maintaining sound currency as well as pup
lie expenditures. l think he has had a good deal
of influence in perllous times IN deciding
whether the ship should keep safely on or should
run on rock and go to the bottom.
Garfield, Blaine and Allison entered Congress
about the same session. When the first named was
inaugurated as President In 1881 he chose the
ond as Secretary of State The latter wrote let
ter to the former strongly urging Mr.. Allison for
Secretary of Treasury owing TO his familiarity
with financial legislation ending the letter thus:
with you as President, taking your two chief
advisers from the friends of your manhood-who
all entered Congress the day, ali of the same
age nearly and all three in unbroken harmony of
friendship for eighteen years-there would be pre-
sented a picture without precedent-poetic as
well political
The post of Secretary of the Treasury was offered
TO Mr. Allison by President Garfield. bat he de-
clined it. owing TO his domestic affairs. He also
declined To accept the like Cabinet office at the
hands of President Harrison 1889 and from Pres-
dent Mckinley in 1897. prefefring 10 remain in the
Senate where he said lie expected the people of
Iowa would keep him long he lived.
prophecy which was fulfiled.