The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-02-28
MEN OF WEALTH FEW IN UNI
TED STATES SENATE.
Statesman Bureau)

Statesman Bureau)
WASHINGTON, Feb, 'The
United States senate has been, un-
fairly and unjustly styled the Mil
lionaires. club" said Hon. Kirt-
land I. Perky, erstwhile senator from
Idaho by appointment of Governor
Hawley, as he was packing his be-
longings and preparing to leave for
Boise. 1.-The senate is not made UP
of millionaires, it is not dominated
by millionaires, nor does it deport
itself as might club of millionaires
True there are a few men of great
wealth in the senate. there are other
men of moderate means, but I have
found during my stay in Washington
that there, are more poor men than
rich in the senate, and not a few
whose sole income is the salary they
receive from the government"
Senator Perky came to Washing
ton at the beginning of the present
session, appointed to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Senator Hey
burn until such time as the legis-
lature might elect. His term ended
February 6, when Senator J. H.
Brady came to succeed him. During
the two months he served in the
Senator Perky became immensely
popular, and had the satisfaction
and qualification of retiring with the
good will of every senator with
whom he served. 1t is not over
stating the fact to say that Senator
Perky retired amidst greater regret
on the part of his fellow senators
than is usually shown when SEN
ator retires after serving full term
or longer.
Saw Senate Tn Action.
While he was packing up his be-
longings, Senator Perky was asked
to express him impressions of the
senate and of senators, and in res
ponse to that question, voiced the
words above quoted. Like others
who knew the senate only by reputa
ton, Senator Perky had his eyes
opened when he came to Washington
in his official capacity, for he had
full opportunity to see the senate in
action; to get acquainted with it's
members, and, to learn its methods.
He saw the senate in the heat of de-
bate; he witnessed partisan wrangles
over patronage in executive session;
he heard number of notable speech
es by senators of both parties, and
learned how the wheels are creased.
Personal friendship do more to
foster legislation in the senate than
any other influence" said Senator
Perky, "and the man with the most
friends gets the biggest appropria-
lions. 0ratory is ali right in its
way, but oratory does not make
votes. have been here long
enough to discover that. Another
thing that impressed me was the
fact that the party division in the
senate seldom counts for anything.
OF course, there are times when part
isan measures are under considera-
ton, and then the line is drawn, but
partisan measures are comparatively
few, and when they are laid aside
the senate, in legislating, ignores
party, Some of the strongest friend
ships in the senate are those between
Republicans and Democrats, and
when it comes to local legislation in
which western senator's are mostly
interested, party cuts no figure.
- Borah Influential.
"I want to say right here that
Senator Borah today is as influen-
tial among the Democrats of the SEN
ates any member of that body
where no partisan question is at is
sue, and his influence is as great on
the other side of the party asile. /
was impressed when | came here
with the high regard in which sen
ators of both parties hold Senator
Borah, and was particularly astonish-
I'd to find him so highly lauded by |
of my party. Today Senator
Borah is mighty influence in the
'enate he is destined to become still
more powerful, and l do not hesitate
o say that at the present moment he
'anks among the first five members
" the entire senate. He is strong,
10th because of his ability and be-
ause of his personal popularity, and
he fearlessness with which he en-
,ages the big men of the senate in
1ebate has won him support. 81
ecognize now what factor Senator
3orah has become in congress. and
lie has earned his position, for he is
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