The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-08-17

many years, over the passing of Sena-
tor Frye and over the disappearance
thereby from the legislative stage OF
the last of the veteran Republicans
who contributed for many years to the
remarkable prestige of the Pine Tree
State in national affairs. OF the ia
nous six of two decades ago ex-Sena-
tor Eugene Hale is the only survivor.
Milliken, Dingley, Reed and Boutelle,
of the famous four in the House, de-
parted In tolerably close succession,
the first three living in Washington
near the scene of their distinguished
services.
For the remainder of this Congress-,
the Maine delegation of senators ard
representatives at Washington will
stand four Democrats and two Repub-
licans, the greatest change politically
that has occurred ean the representa-
ton here of any New England state,
probably, for at least half century.
At this moment, it looks as though the
new Democratic senator, should Gov
Plaisted decide to designate him
forthwith, could not get to Washing
ton to serve for more than very few
days and perhaps for less than week
of the extra session. 1t would posi-
bly, be some little advantage to the
encumbent, should he take his seat
this week, for he would be started on
his senatorial way. But there Is lit
Lille business of Importance in which
he could participate. While there are
some measures of Importance where
the Democrats would be very glad to
have his vote, action on some of these
may be postponed till the next regu
lar session in December, when not
only will there be an extra Democrat
in the Senate from Maine, but also an
extra Democrat from the State of
Georgia.
The death of Senator Frye means
that the committee on commerce,
which has long been a Maine head
quarters at Washington, will pass I'M
der a new chairman taht is distinctly
loss from the Maine standpoint, be-
cause there comes to that committee,
first and last, a deal Of business of
Importance to the State. River and
harbor bills, for example, are consid-
cred there, and Senator Frye always
looked out carefully for Maine pro-
| jects on that measure, which is now
enacted annually. Then there were
shipping interests, in which Maine has
large concern. Senator Frye was al
! WAYS on the look out for Maine in
terests In the scores Of comparative
ly minor bills that come up every
session affecting ships and shipping
and his friendship was a bulwark of
strength for that ancient Maine in
dustry.
A strong effort probably will be
made to get the new Democratic sem
ator from Maine assigned to that COM
mittee but it probably can not be
easily done, as the vacancy Is a Re- |
publican vacancy and the Democrats
may not be allowed another place
there. Then the fact that the new
senator comes only on a gubernatorial
appointment with no certainty of ten
ure beyond January 1913, when the
next Legi5lft ure assemblies at Au-
gusta, will augment the difficulties of
putting him on any committees where
he can be of material influence for
the benefit of Maine.
Senator Charles F. Johnson, after
service of Cnly five months, now be- !,
comes the senior senator from the
Pine Tree State. 1t is not a distinc-
ton of particular Importance, al
though something that old timers
around the Capitol allude to. He thus !
holds the rank, in that regard, that |
Senator Hale held SO long and will
hold 1t for six years, almost the en-
tire time for which he was elected. |
The new man will be the junior sena-
tor from Maine. as was Mr.. Frye for
nearly all the 30 years he was mem
Der of the Senate, up to the day when |
Senator Hale retired
Some old and valued employees of
the Senate, whom Mr.. Frye brought
to Washington, must depart now or
shortly after the filling of the Sena-
torial vacancy. Most notable Of these
Is DR.. Woodbury. Pulsifer, who has
been clerk of the Senate committee on
commerce for a decade. He Is now in
Maine. DR.. Pulsifer has been very |
efficient man in his position. He is a
brother of the late Pitman Pulsifer, |
who was clerk of the naval affairs
committee while Senator Hale re-
NAMED as it's chairman. DR.. Pulsifer
has been offered another place of en- |
ployment under the Senate but it is
uncertain at this time whether he will
care to accept it. There Is more or
less uncertainty about political con-
troll of the Senate. If Democrats
.xot n roaiOr{fu fbora In ha