Los Angeles herald., 1909-12-13
The American Congress
XXI-The Leaders of the Senate
Bv Frederic j. HaSkin

the senate machine usually has easy
going.
The senate is ruled by committee
on the order of business, a committee
not included in the official lists OF the
senate committees. 1t is ordinarily
known as the steering committee
The Republican steering committee
controls the senate. the Democrats
having a similar steering committee
to guide the minority. Senator Hale
of Maine is the chairman of the ma
jorty steering committee. He is the
helmsman of the Republican senate
ship of which Senator Aldrich OF
Rhode Island is captain.
Senator Hale has charge or the
daily routine of senate business. lie
makes the motions TO proceed to the
consideration of executive business
which means that the senate will re-
treat behind closed doors. He makes
the motions to adjourn, TO take recess,
to do this and to do that. He is also
the official guardian OF the precedents
and the dignity of the senate, and IL
is he who rebukes the new senator or
the reckless senator, who has mad
Vertently or designedly transgressed
the ancient and honorable rules or
senatorial behavior. Senator Hale Is
constantly in the attitude of deploring
the iniquity of the opposition, but In
recent years he has not been forced
to deal with an opposition strong
enough to endanger his steering gear.
Senator Aldrich Is the real leader or
the senate. He considers policies OF
state and he is able usually to shape
them to his liking. He is fortified by
the possession of the four things most
required in senate leader: Length OF
service with its increment of expert
ence and seniority; ability to compel,
command a q fhn occasion
demands capacity for infinite labor
and study, and therefore complete
knowledge of any subject under dis
cussion; and, lastly, the sympathy and
confidence of those conservative forces
which have been supreme In the Amer
lean government for the past genera
tion.
In the tariff bill fight during. the
special session of this congress It de-
veloped that Senator Aldrch's leader
ship was quite as powerful as that or
Mr.. Cannon in the house. The meas
ure of loyalty to the opposition was
not how a senator voted on n partic-
ular schedule this time and that. but
how often did he vote with Aldrich
and how often against Aldrich. The
Aldrich methods differ widely from
| those OF the house organization, but
II does not appear that they are less
effective.
The senate always has had strong
leaders. The triumvirate of Clay, CAL
houn and Webster was most famous,
but the united strength of these three
was unable TO oppose the successful
leadership Of Thomas II. Benton.
stephen A. Douglas and Charles sum
ner were examples of greatness in
senatorial leadership. John sherman
left indelible impress upon the history
of the country as n senate leader.
But never has there been man who
has been so successful and so powerful
I'm leadership as Nelson w. Aldrich'
JTnaided by any system Of rules such
as supports the speaker OF the house,
open always to attack by the oppos'-
tion, and having little or no general
DoDularity to support him, Mr.. Aldrich
bv sheer force of superior ability mas
attained to his high position. lie has
none of the spectacular attainmenls
which have given fame to great sen
ators-his is the genius of labor. lie
works hard, aud he can do more hard
work than a dozen ordinary men. This
and the fact that he has had such
long service is the secret of his power.
The country is divided, of course III
its opinion of the wisdom OF Mr.. Al
drich's leadership. For the first time
i'm many years he is facing some or
ranized opposition in the ranks OF his
| own marty. The senate, as the house,
has its section of "insurgent' Repub-
| licans. They will attack Mr.. Aldrich's
! leadership. but with little hope OF sue
cess. Nevertheless they will force a
! fight and will bring the senate much
! into the public eye.
! During this session of congress the
senate will Indicate what course II will
! take with respect to the pending sub
! iects of legislation and Will fore
| Shadow the legislative program OF the
| Taft administration. Altogether, the
present session of congress promises
| to be one of the most interesting OF
| recent years.
! Tomorrow Washington Memorial Hall.