The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1910-08-19
MiohIgan's Golden Opportunity.

Miohigan's Golden Opportunity.
In his notable speech dealing with
the question of ship subsidy, the late
Senator Vest of Missouri paid great
tribute to the New England policy of
keeping tried and trusted senators in
Office, so long as they are willing to re-
main there. He said II admire the
people of New England; I admire their
courage, their sagacity, their aggres-
siveness. With a sterile soil and an in
hospitable climate, they control the
politics and the policy Of the United
States. They send their ablest men to
both branches of congress and keep
them here as long as they can preserve
the material interests of that section.
1t makes no difference how much these
representatives and senators may differ
with the people as to matters OF senti-
ment and abstraction. if they are true
to the material interests of New Eng
land. that is enough. The two SEN
ators from Maine differ as widely as
the north and south poles upon the for
eign policy OF the United States, but
they are both here today by the unani-
nous vote OF the legislature of Maine.
The two senators from Massachusetts
are equally diverse in their opinion as
to the Philippine question and the
Philippine war. but the people of Mas
sachusetts send them both here because
they know their ability and recognize
their usefulness.
The southern states early learned the
advantage gained by keeping her con-
gressional representatives long in SER
vice. Senator Vest himself practically
died in the senatorial harness. He re-
tired upon his own initiative and died
shortly afterward. The venerable pair.
Morgan and Pettus of Alabama, both
died when serving, one at the age of SO
and the other at SO. Instances could be
multiplied.
Congressman Sims of Tennessee made
some interesting observations upon this
subject in a speech delivered in the
house of representatives in April last.
He said: II have been considering the
make up of the committees of the house
and find that the average age of the
chairmen of the committees on agricul-
ture, appropriations, banking and cur
rency, district of Columbia, foreign
affairs, insular affairs. interstate and
foreign commerce, judiciary, labor,
merchant marine and fisheries, mill
tary affairs, naval affairs, postoffices
and postroads, public lands, rivers and
harbors, rules, and ways and means is
SO years and that the average length of
service is l6 years. also find that the
average of the ranking minority mem
bers on said 1S committees to be 57i
years, and that the average length of
service of said ranking minority men,
bers is 10 40 years. In the way of
handling important general legislation
and the great appropriation bills, re-
gard the foregoing committees as the
leading committees of the house and
the figures I have given demonstrate
to mathematical certainty that long
service is absolutely necessary for
members to reach ranking and COM
manding position. 1t matters not so
much what a members educational
qualifications may be, it matters not
how great an intellect he may possess,
can fdlly equip him for the
most effective service here except con-
tinued service This counts for more
than all else"
The long service of Senator Burrows
has placed him in the very foremost
place for prestige and power. Today
he stands in line for the Craftsmanship
of the greatest of all the committees,
that on finance. His colleagues accord
the place to him unanimously. What
pity it would be for the state he has
served 80 faithfully to turn him down
at such timer What pity for the
state to throw away all the prestige
and power this one fact alone gives
the state. 1t would be foolish, reck-
less and inexcusable blunder. Mich.
gan will not do it.
What If Senator Burrows is growing
old9 There are Ia representatives from
Michigan in the national congress; Ii
of them are under 85; 10 are under go,
10 are under IS, two are under so, and
one. Edward DENLY of the First dis
:rict, is just rounding 40. The delega-
ton evens up fairly well in the matter
of age. The young enthusiasts who are
crying that Senator Burrows is too old,
should, under the circumstances, have
a little more respect for advancing
years and be willing to acknowledge
that one aged counsellor in 80 fine
bunch of young statesmen may not
only be justified, but may prove wise
and salutary influence. If any Of the
colleagues think they can stand more
arduous campaigning, that they can
put in more continuous, exacting and
effective service than Senator Burrows
the field is open to him. The naked