The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-08-26
End of 62d Congress Takes Many Politicians Out
 of the Limelight
WAS REALLY THE
 FIRST INSURGENT
Entered the House of Representatives Over Twenty Years Ago and Soon Became National Figure By
 Reason of His Ability
BY c. E. STEWART.

BY c. ID. STEWART.
 Washington, August 25.-The closing of the sixty-second Congress will also be the closing. for the present at least. of the political careers of many nota- ble men-men who have contributed much to the pages of history of the nation and who have achieved fame by the conspicuous parts they have played in the enactment of Legislation, and their combinations to political ora tory.
 Probably the most notable, without to the fame of others, is Joseph ". Bailey of Texas. Senator Bailey has been in Congress for over 20 years, being first elected to the Eff ty-seeond Congress and at the age Of 28 He immediately attracted atten- tion; first by the eloquence of his speeches and second by his tenacity of purpose and his keen insight to affairs of public interest and his ability to take care of himself in the fierce debates that characterized the House of Repre- sentatives 20 years ago,
 In what was probablWhis first speech in the House. Senator Bailey proceeded to make an attack upon the rules of that body. He succeeded in drawing at tention to himself, and while not so designated he was as a matter of fact the first insurgent. He received no support in his contention either from his own party or the republicans. but what, in those days, were considered the idle vaporings of an exceedingly eloquent schoolboy who had broken into Congress, he since turned out to be the opinion of eminent statesmen promi- nent in the affairs of the nation, and Baileys views on the rules expressed 20 years ago, have practically been tives.
 Soon National Figure
 As member of the House of Repre- sentatives Mir. Bailey grew in remark ably short while to be a national figure. In the Fifty-ffth Congress he was the choice of his party for speaker, and was the recognized leader of the party in the House. But 1t has been since he has been a member of the Senate that Senator Bailey has attracted so much attention, and like all great men of strong convictions and fearless ex- pression of opinions, he has in win ming admiration and respect also won hatred and brought upon himself the severest criticism from his enemies, who have been unspairing in their ef- forts to besmirch his character and de- stroy his influence with the people of the country.
 Senator Bailey is a remarkable man. At the age of 4S he is retiring from the United States Senate, having won fame and distinction that men seldom reach, and when at last attained 1t is usually in the closing days of long life. Young as he Is, Bailey's reputa- ton, his mental attachments, his legal ability, his etequence and logic and his power over his fellows in Congress entitle him to take rank with the greatest men who ever occupied the Senate. He retires voluntarily, de- spite the statement of his enemies to the contrary They declare that he is retiring under fire, and that his posi- tion in the Lorimer case would have defeated him for reelection. This Is not true. Senator Bailey could have been reelected by the people of Tex as over any man in the state, his friends declare, had he only consented to have become candidate.
 Work Is Done
 Senator Bailey is leaving the Senate because he feels that his work Is done. He feels more or less out of tune with his party. He has seen fit to disagree with it on many great public questions and he does not wish to hamper the party further, by his presence in the Senate, and besides that he unquestion- ably is, and has been, making great financial saorifios to remain In the Senate. At his profession he can easily take the lead, as he has in Congress- but the recommendations will be much greater and less burdensome.
 It is, however, a distinct loss to the country, and particularly the south, for Senator Bailey to retire. There are too few great men in the Congress. There are many men there who honestly seek to legislate for the good of the eoun- try, but 1t takes vastly more than honesty of purpose and good intentions to make a useful member of Congress. It is said that in the United States Senate there are senators elected by the great financial interests" of the country, and the great tariff favored trusts. This may or it may not be true, but one thing is sure, the men in the Senate who favor a protective tar If and nave done the most to keep such legislation on tho statute books are no pigmies. If they represent the inter ests," the interests have engaged the best talent the country affords. as they always do, If they represent their own constituents, then their constituents have wisely chosen, for they are ably represented.
 No ordinary man, though he be as honest as Paul. can cope with them. But Bailey can. He is the peer of any of them. He with a merciless and cut ting sarcasm points out their foibles and inconsistencies and they have grown to respect and fear his power.
 Bailey and BOrah
 Senator Bailey and Senator Dorah have frequently been compared to the disparagement of Bailey by Borah's ad- mirers Borah is a bright and exceed ingly able man, but he is simply not in Baiiey's class. He is strong in de- bate and we'll posted usually on legis- lative matters, but not near so well as Bailey, and then he lacks the most es- sential constituent part of great man-that is he lacks 1t to a far great CT extent than Bailey lacks it-and that is courage, the courage of his convic- tions Bailey has an absolute disre- gard for what others may think when he has made up his mind, He will side against his party without the least hesi- tation, if he is convinced that his party is wrong He is in no sense q politician, and he has never truckled to his con
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