Evening journal., 1909-06-02
Wednesday, June 2, 1909
coMPos1T1oN G on THE SENATE.

III HE impression throughout the country is
l. that the United States Senate contains
number of representatives of the special inter-
ests They are rich men who allied with
various corporations whose interests as Sena-
tors they serve. This impression, TO large ex-
tent is justified. We find, for example, Sena-
tors who have holdings in the pulp interests
valiantlv attempting to continue the high tariff
on paper so that the purchasers OF paper
throughout the country will be mulcted to pay
tribute to an extortonate trust. This is but an
example of Senators openly and avowedly hght-
ing for their own pocket books.
On the other hand it does not by any means
follow that because Senator is a rich man, or
because he is interested in certain corporations,
that he is going 10 bury his conscience and sell
his soul to serve those interests Unfortunately
all these Senators are Jumped IN one The good
and the bad are thrown together with the result
of Injustice being worked upon those who are
really blameless
A New Yo>k newspaper the other evening
published records of the members of the Senate
showing their corporation and other affiliations
with the Inference that the Senators would be
biased in their consideration OF the pending tar
if Bill This inference is correct in most in
Stances. Judging by the records of the Senators.
The inference. however, is not always lust-
fed For example we find that Senator Harry
A. Richardson, OF Delaware, is listed as can
ncr and packer, bank president and concerned
in telephones and other matters. The infer
ence is that Senator Richardson will defend
vested interests and uphold only their
cause AS matter Of fact the Senator seems
10 be in Canada enjoying himself and recuper-
ating his health. No one in Delaware expects
TO find him speaking in the Senate or working
in committees as a defender of special interests.
Senator Richardson, although a rich man, so
far as we know, has at no time sought to secure
legislation in Delaware In favor OF the inter
ests We think instead of trying 70 add to his
fortune through legislation that one OF the SEN
ator's troubles is to know how to invest his ae-
cumulating wealth.
Senator DUPONT is regarded as the head OF
the DUPONT Powder interests, as the "dominat-
ing spirit of the powder trust" Every one N
Delaware knows this to be false. When the
powder interests in Washington were assailed
the Senator did not defend them and took nc
part in the matter. Instead of being in the Sen
ate as a representative of the powder inter
ests." had any man other than Senator dupont
been in Washington at the time he would have
defended one OF the most important industries
in Delaware as an act of state patriotism. But
the position of Senator DUPONT was a delicate
one In fact, Colonel dupont devoted morS
time to studying the potato situation in Kent
and Sussex counties than he has to the powder
interests of Delaware, and if his efforts result
in exporting some of the small political pota
toes from those two counties he VIII have
earned the gratitude Of his constituents.
The Delaware Senators in our judgment are
free from political affiliation with the interests
About every one in Delaware, we believe, wouly
acknowledge that fact, but the status of thes
Senators is so out OF the ordinary that to many
cynical minds it is unbelievable.