The Washington times., 1911-01-05

1
by Senators today, to the memory of
Senator Stephen B. Elkins voiced the
feeling of genuine sorrow that is
felt among the members of the upper
branch of Congress over the loss of
their colleague. OF all of those who
| had something to say in tribute to
Senator Elkins, none spoke more
feelingly than Senator Nathan Bay
Scott, Senator from West Virginia,
long associated with Senator Elkins
in representing that State. Senator
Scott said:
Il do not know what I can say
that will adequately express my sor-
row over the death of Senator Elkins.
His death is not only loss to the
nation but 1t is an unspeakable loss
to the State of West Virginia. 1
regarded him not only as a legislator
of great ability, but also as a man
of great ability in many lines. He
was my close personal friend.
For twelve years we had been as
ISOLATED here representing the State
of West Virginia. Our relations were
extremely close and personal, and
oftentimes confidential. He was
most lovable character. I don't think
he had an enemy in the world. 1
have known him since 1886. And
since 1888, / have known him init
mately."
His Big Heart.
Alike among Senators and officials
and employees about the Senate. the
fact on which all laid emphasis, in
referring with sorrow to the death
of Senator Elkins, was the lovable-
ness of his nature and the largeness
of his heart. He has done many good
turns for colleagues and many kind
nesses to officials and employees who
knew him., and most of them think
of him rather as a personal friend
than with respect to his relation to
great national affairs.
Senator Elkins occupied a unique DO
sition in the Senate He was head of
the great Committee on Interstate Com
merce. This committee for a generation
has been of large and growing import
ance by reason of the increasing dispo-
sitlon toward Government control of the
railroads.
Legislative Record.
While Senator Elkins was at times
accused of being unfriendly to Govern
ment control of the railroads, arising
from the fact that he was himself
millionaire many times over and a man
who had railroad interests. as a matter
of fact he was identified with the enact
ment of most of the interstate COM
merce legislation now on the statute
books. He urged the passage of the
Hepburn law and he supported the
legislation enacted at the last session.
of Congress.
The greatest piece of legislation to
which his name is attached is the Elk
ins law, which prohibits rebating Sen
ator Elkins always had a feeling of
pride over the fact his name was at
tached to so valuable statute.
Unlike some of the members of the
Senate who are affiliated with the Old
Guard, with the conservative group, led
by Senator Nelson w. Aldrich, Senator
Elktns foresaw that the Government
would regulate the railroads and that
the time had come when the roads must
submit to regulation. He had enlight-
ened views on this subject and hence
did not make the mistake made by
some of the Senate Old Guard of trying
ress.
Progressive Views.
1t is a remarkable fact that while
Senator Elkins was for many years in
the Senate intimately associated with
what is known as the Old Guard, with
such leaders as Aldrich. Allison, PIatt
of Connecticut, and Hale, he was far
from being an ultra conservative. On
the contrary. he had many progressive
views and he had a tendency to inde-
pendence that was extremely discon- |
certing to the Old Guard forces.
This was particularly noticeable at
the time of the special session to re- /
wise the tariff. which resulted in the |
Payne law. Senator Elkins did not !
with the position of Senator
and some of the extreme con- !
on tariff. He wanted a real !
and genuine revision and repeatedly |
said so.
He was outspoken in favor of the
of graft from some of the /.
big schedules, especially the sugar !
schedule. He was placed in a difficult |
position on account of the necessity he !
was under of getting duties retained on /
the products of West Virginia At the |
same time, his course in the tariff |
session was that of a moderate and /
not an extremist for high duties.
Showed Independence.
Many of the men who knew Senator |
Elkins intimately at that time were sur !
orised at the breadth and progressivism |
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