Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-11-28
SENATOR JOHNSON
Gives Some of His Impressions Of
Washington.

ington." was the subject of a talk de-
livered by United States Senator
Charles F. Johnson, Monday evening.
at the banquet held by the Mems Club
of the Congregational church, at the
Railroad NJ c. A building There
We're about GO men, representative of
the business and professional life OF
the city present and the talk by Sena-
tor Johnson was much enjoyed. Treat
ing his subject as he did from per-
sonal standpoint he brought his hear
ers into almost personal knowledge
of some of the prominent figures in our
national life OF the day. Caterer Healy
of the Railroad Y. NJ. G. A. cafe pro-
Vided the good things of the banquet
IN the line of physical food and at the
close all were in a mood to enjoy the
remarks of Senator Johnson TO the
utmost. Arthur A. Head acted as
POSTMASTER and performed the duties
acceptably.
Senator johnson opened with few
remarks in lighter vein and said
that he should talk only in an inform
al manner, telling of his impressions.
4 took the office feeling deeply inn
pressed with the dignity of the office.
There had been a great change in tho.
Senate. OF the 81 members, II apnear-
ed to take their oath of office and of
the entire number SO were practically
new meE. / was deeply impressed with
the dignity in which the oath of office
was administered; in the book in
which so many names were written.
Senator Frye escorted me from his
seat and introduced me to the Vics
President"
Senator Johnson then paid great
tribute TO Senator Frye, speaking of
the strength of character of the man.
as man and a statesman. The speak
er then told how a seat in the Senate
is picked out. The senator files an APP
plicaton for a seat and when the ono
who occupies 1t Is defeated or dies the
senator gets the seat.
The names Republican and Dem
ocrat" are seldom heard. 1t is the
Majority" and Minority" and they
are seated according to their rela-
tons. Senator Johnson spoke of the
deep regard in which Senator Frye
YVES held by Democratic senators, es-
peeially those from the South.
Although there is a line between the
two parties there is deep cordially
between the members. There is d.
vision. also, in the choosing of commit
tees and then, in the committees them
selves
Senator Johnson spoke quite intimate
ly of some Of the working of the Sen
ate. He then spoke of his Impressions
of the President and of the high re-
spect in which people in Washington
held the office. OF Vice President Sher-
man. Senator Johnson had quite lit
tie telling of the good humor which
characterizes him and his perpetual
fund of fun.
The leaders of the Senate We're the
taken up: Senator Cullen. the oldest
member and a member of the most. i'm
pertant committee; Senator Penrose of
PENNSYLVANIA, a leader of experience:
Senator Root. a foremost member and
a learned man; Senator Lodge, schol-
arly. exact and careful in speaking,
and although not very cordial at first
he developed into a different man and
kind and courteous under his seeming
ly ICY exterior: Senator La Toilette
was described as man of great at
tainrlents, a solid. deep thinker and
man who has had to fight ever since
he started in life: Senator Cummings,
a man of sincerity, attractive, we'll
stored mind and a great man i'll many
respects: Senator Borah of Idaho was
spoken of as an orator: Bourne "of
Oregon, the head of the ''Pregressives'
as they are sometimes called.
the most conspicuous of the minority
side was Senator Bailey of Texas; Sen
ator stone of Missouri, the pacificator
on the minority side, and always TAX
ing part in debate if his health per-
mits The blind senator from Oklahoma
attra cted me and / soon came to know
him well. He is always cheerful ana
good natured and loved by everyone.
Senator Gore possesses great men-
DRY, as in making a speech could not
rely on notes; Senator Owen is
keen, alert mind. and stoical in de.
feat; Senator Curtis of Kansas is an
other member with a romantic history;
John Sharp williams of Mississippi
was spoken of as a man we'll trained
TO take a place in the Senate. other
men whom the speaker spoke of meet
ing were Secretary Knox, and Speak
er Clark of the House.
81 have no fear, of what some people
fear, of trusting things to the people.
said Senator Johnson, speaking oil the
initiative. referendum and recall anu
he defended the Senate's action on the
vote on the recall Of judges. BUT
whether right or wrong. there Is, to-
day, distrust OF the representative.
our forefathers wisely separated our
government into three parts: The ex-
eeutive, judiciary and representative.
There is no fault with the first two,
but there is with the third and there
fore we have the initiative. referendum
and recall Let me prophesy thls that
in the future in the city of Washing
ton the large party of men there rep
resenting the interests will not be
seen"
Those present were: Charles p.
Je hnson. w. T. Haines, A. A. Head.
CYRUS Flint Johnson, Henry Hoxie.
Roscoe II. Hanson, p. S. Merrill, a.
O. lombard, o. A. Meader, Charles A.
Allen T.. e. Thayer, b. f. Carter. T.
Il Ashcroft, w. +. Kennison, ]. f.
Chalmers. C. I. Wing, L. N. Soper,
Dahipcnp II r, Tappap T.