The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-03-29
He is one who will keep friends
when he makes them.
Senators Gore and Owen of Okla.
homa.

Senators Gore and Owen of Okla.
| homa.
| Next, sits Gore, the blind senator,
who was referred to in this column
at the opening of the session-the
first blind man ever elected to the
senate, and until the advent of Bryan,
the youngest senator. Beyond him,
occupying the last seat in the row,
| is his colleague, Robert Latham Owen
| OF Muskogee. He is a man of broad
education and has risen TO, his posi-
ton by steps as teacher. editor, law
yer and banker, giving evidence in
all of extraordinary mental capacity
and unusual ability to perform, sue
cessfully, that which is next to hand.
His father was at one time presi-
dent of the Virginia and Tennessee
Railroad. His mother was Narcissa
Chisholm, daughter of the last hered-
itary chief of the Cherokees, so that
Senator Owen is the second Indian
in the United States senate, and, like
Senator Curtis, bears plainly the i'm
prints in his strong, handsome face.
He is a graduate of the Washington
and Lee University and has s<ven
good evidence Of his shrewd ability
as lawyer in his handling of the
affairs of the Indians, with whom he
has been intimately associated ever
since his appointment as Indian agent
for the five civilized tribes by Grover
Cleveland.
He is tall and strong and straight,
with the grace and dignity OF the
ideal Indian in his bearing as well
as in his face. His hair is black, his
smooth-shaven face narrow, dark and
striking. His keen eyes are not
easily forgotten when once they have
been seen. He is among the wealthy
members of the senate, with large
banking and oil interests iii Okla
homa, besides his high standing at
the bar; but in spite of suggestive
incidents to the contrary he is easily
apprOachable and an agreeable and
charming conveTsationalist Cordial
ity penetrates the atmosphere OF SOM
Der reserve which clings persistentIy
about him: but Judging from my
own impressions one never comes so
close as to escape a feeling that he
would rather not be one to rouse the
new senator's Indignation There are
latent possibilities lying behind the
face, which may be threats or may
be promises for the future.
On Feb. %, Senator Owen made his
maiden effort on the currency bill, in
one, of the keenest. shrewdest, most
graceful and witty speeches of the
session. Two days later he engaged
in sharp running debate with Cur
tbs (the other Indian over the legal
status of the five civilized tribes
There was en- excitement in the inter-
est of all who heard which rarely en-
livens a debate in the senate. No one
interrupted. The two Indians fought
their battle. Gu C-4torical DOW
ers are remarls ole. Curtis is a keen
and logical deoator. For half an hour
it was a duel worth watching Then
Gore, the blind senator. Owens col
league, rose, with: Mr. President,
move that belligerent rights be rec
ogniZed in favor of these two In
dians"
With peculiar smile Senator Owen
walked over to the Republican side.
shook hands with Senator Curtis and
the two left the chamber arm in arm
Altogether, that last row of seats
on the Democratic side of the senate
is an interesting collection that is
worth watching.