The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-04-26
G. O NTIN u f D
r o NJ -
P A G E O N f
ALDRICH'S WAY

Some have as commanding per-
sonality A few possess his craft,
but no man in public life has his
combination of all three. Add to
this the weight of the solid back
ing the financial powers of the
country throw to him. Consider
the accident that began his name
with "a" making him first in
the roll call, a guide to the waver
ing. for Aldrich Is always voting
right" Those are all elements Of
his power.
He is the senate's great COM
promiser. His rule has been
stated as "to win, tie or postpone. ;"
That is, he never figured on de-
feat. Once he bestrode the saddle
he continued his reign by the fear
he inspired. Each individual SEN
ator knew Aldrich's ability to
block pet legislation. In that way
he was able to force through his
own measures. In that way he
secured continued high tariffs in
the cotton and wool schedules. his
especial care. Perhaps not once
did he make any actual threats in
accomplishing his ends.
The eyes that peer under his
shaggy brows are those of the gen
eral. Hale. Lodge, Kean, Crane.
Smoot. Gallinger and Warren are
his lieutenants. Not one is his
equal.
At present he Is the unseen
hand firmly guiding the Taft rail
road bill.
He is silent in the sessions and
silent outside of them. His vote in
the senate is his speech. Once he
spoke for an hour on the tariff
bill. That was his longest address.
He doesn't campaign for the party.
He seldom talks for publication.
He is silent. sinister, dangerous, for
he is always on the side of money
and against men.
When he does speak his speech is
short, blunt, effective.
He has one absorbing ambition
monetary reform-which, for him,
means Il central bank. He has one
fear. his health. He has one hobby,
the raising of flowers In his Rhode
Island hothouses.
During the present session he
caught a slight cold, which chung to
him rather stubbornly At once his
fear for his health. He went to
Florida for three weeks. Frankly,
the senate suspended business.
Frankly, it waited for his return to
take up the administration meas
ureS.
He has the build and upright
carriage of an athlete. His face
glows with apparent health. Walk
ing Is his principal exercise. He
has weakness. to be flattered
upon his social successes.
In his 80 years in the senate he
has been noted for his unceasing
activity. He Is the enemy of the
plain people, yet one cannot but
admire the intellect that domi-
mates a body of men, many OF
whom are dominant everywhere
except in the senate. With no
particular schooling he confounds
great corporation lawyers with his
knowledge of law. Probably he is
honest according to his own views.
But, like Hanna and others, he has
exalted business" above all else.
There is one wellspring Of pow
err that he has long held. 1t is
control of the senate committee on
committees. This makes the vice
president a puppet as presiding Of
ficer of the senate. The commit
tees committee has the power that
made Cannon car for 1t distrib-
utes all the chairmanships and
committee assignments. Through
this power Cannon controlled the
committee on rules.
This power gave both Cannon
and Aldrich a grip on democrats
as we'll as renuhliCanS