New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-09

Inree years after this he was elected 10
Congress.
When Frye first took his seat within the
House wing Of the national Capitol his
friend Hale was Just commencing a second
term upon that side Of the big dome. and
Cullom. of Illinois--now Senator-had just
retired after ending three terms there. No
member Of our present Congress had a
seat IN either house when Frye thus be-
gan his career as a federal legislator. Can
non was not to enter for two years yet.
Nor did he fall heir 10 these greater lau-
rels only the other iay. when he became
the Nestor Of the upper body Although
Hale for several Congresses past had been
able to boast Of the longest continuous s'r-
vice in the Senate. he had had 10 yield 20
his brother Scion from Maine the honor of
having the longest unbroken service In
Congress as a whole. for there was break
of two years in Hale's Congressional ca
reer. and gap of six in Cullom's
Even before taking his seat in the House
Frye got busy at the work OF helping his
friend and neighbor. James @. Blaine. 10
reelection as Speaker, and after the
Plumed Knight had re-won the gavel Frye
became his chief lieutenant on the floor.
Promotion was now rapid. He soon got
on the Ways and Means and Judiciary
committees. and early in his career became
chairman Of the Executive Committee. And
so he went on making his mark, until at
the end Of a decade his party conceded that
he would be Speaker OF the next Congress
that TO convene in 1881.
But Fate has now 10 serve him the same
trick that she has only lately served John
Sharp Williams of Mississippi. This Con-
eress of which Frye hoped 10 be Speaker
came into being on Garfield's inauguration
day March {. 1881. on the same date
Frye's old friend from Maine Hale. began
his first term in the Senate. where Blaine
was wearing the other Maine toga. But on
that inaugural date Garfield chose Blaine
10 head his Cabinet.
The Maine Legislature was convened at
once. and on March 10 Frye was Blaines
successor. Thus did he lose the Speaker
ship and thus did he become Hale's Junior
In the Senate by eleven days.
Two years after entering the House Of
Representatives Frye became chairman Of
the Committee on Rules. The code which
now governs the debates of that body is
largely the work OF his hands. When the
Republicans regained control OF the upper
house, N the middle OF the last Cleveland
administration, the little giant was elected
President pro tempore of the Senate. the
highest Office and highest honor which that
body can confer-one which Frye held for
sixteen years. a much longer period than
il was enjoyed by any Of his predecessors
within which time ne actively presided
over the Senate during the six years that
the Vice Presidency was vacant. due 10 the
death Of Hobart and TO McKinley's assas-
sinatiCn. when Roosevelt succeeded to the
Presidency
When John Sherman left the Senate TO
become McKinleys premier William Pierce
Frye had an opportunity to occupy the thus
vacated Craftsmanship of the Appropriations
Committee. but BECAUSE shipping legisla-
ton was his hobby, he preferred to retain
the craftsmanship of the Committee on Com
merce and Hale aIterward got the more
powerful berth which his Maine colleague
had thus laid aside.
Similarly in the Senate reorganization of
last spring that bodys new father might
have become chairman of the Committee on
Committees. had he desired But inasmucn
as he was preparing 10 celebrate his eigh,
tieth birthday on September next, he did
not desire added responsibilities.
Catholic IN HIS Associates.
Senator Frye was catholic in his choice
of associates in Congress. Justin S. Nor
rill. OF Vermont, and William A. Wheeler
were his intimates. He had great admira-
ton for Benjamin F. Butler, with whom he
served on the judiciary Committee. Sam
uel J. Randall similarly impressed him.
When Randall became Speaker he asked
Frye 10 arrange the minority committee
assignments, courtesy seldom granted to
d minority leader. Perhaps. Of all those
early associates, the one he most admired
was Alexander n. stephens.
1t is doubtful II any young Congressman
ever worked harder than Frye. habit he
retained until Ill health within the last
few years compelled a slower pace.
One Of Senator Fryes services. in which
he took most pride. was his work upon the
Spanish Treaty Commission. after the war
with Spain. At first he declined President
McKinley's appointment. Then came
telegram inviting him TO Washington. At
the White House he met other members OF
the commission. 10 whom the President
read his letter Of instructions. Among
other things he favored taking a part Of
the island OF Luzon for a naval station.
That is one reason said the Senator,
why I do not accept your appointment.
for I will never consent 10 take part OF
one island in that great archipelago. leav-
ing the others 10 fall into the hands OF
France or Germany or some other world
power What do you want" asked the
President. To take everything in sight"
replied Frye. THAT is why want you 10
90 on this commission. that both sides
may be represented" quickly answered
Mckinley.
THE most difficult problem we had 10
meet" said the Senator later. was Cuba a
status Spain insisted that we annex IL. be-
cause. any sovereignty taking the island
would be responsible for the Cuban bonds.
secured by the customs receipts And we
would have annexed II except for the in
structions OF Congress. and by this time
II would have been a blooming garden"
A friend suggested that Jay violated the in
structions OF Congress in making the treaty
with England I'm 1883. Il know II. and /
am sorry We didn't"
In reply 10 the question whether the
Spaniards resented any suggestion made
by the Americans. he said. with a laugh:
"Ony once. II is matter Of history"
he went on. that American missionaries
landed on the Caroline Islands about the
time they reached Honolulu. and civilza-
ton advanced as rapidly. Subsequently
a contest Of sovereignty was decided in
favor Of Spain. which Immediately sent out
priests and troops. Then followed the de-
struciion OF churches and schoolhouses and
the expulsion Of our missionaries. for which
Spain afterward paid US damages. Re-
Numbering this history, offered an amend
nent 10 the treaty providing for religious
freedom IN those islands Thereupon The