The Washington herald., 1913-11-25
With the Political Procession.
By y. 3. G.

The Socket suit against Senator
Stephenson of wisconsin for political
services rendered caused some agitation,
perhaps. among other Senators and
statesmen who have been aided by the
campaign manager.
The first impression was that Socket put
his figures rather high, even for a multi
millionaire like Uncle Isaac, as $4,000 is
good deal of money for one man to
earn in a Senatorial campaign, with a
few hundred others doing more or less
to help things along and expecting
recompense. Other Senators can exclaim
that they got along with one-tenth the
amount and no after-clap like the
Socket bill of particulars. Socket lays
good deal of stress on the assurance
from his candidate that the compensa-
ton would be for what the services
were reasonably worth"
This line may have caused some sar-
castle merriment among other states
men who have had experience with man.
ayers and press agents. The reasonably
worth" term is susceptible OF several in
terpretations when a campaign is over
and the candidate serene with six years
coming to him in the Senate. Many
others besides Socket could tell some
interesting inside history OF other Sena-
torial contests in other than the Badger
State, and generally the hard working
press agent or manager gets all that Is
due, and then some
Even so it is hard to estimate in dol
lars and cents on how much a manager
is worth to a statesman seeking a first
or subsequent term in high Office. An
humble correspondent or political cap
tain, handy around a legislature could
actually accomplish an election OF a
Senator in the good old days when the
vote was close, and too often the CORES
pondent turning the trump card has been
actually forgotten and left to mourn.
The one who really sent the statesman
TO Washington is turned down in favor
of some local politician who had work
controlling his own vote or the vote OF
him home member. The primary method
OF electing Senators will make a greater
demand on local leaders and editors per-
haps, but this wise candidate will have
one central controlling publicity man.
ager. promoter, and adviser as the cam
paign goes on. There will be a spread
ing out Of effort all over a State, but
artful concentration in counties that can
be aroused to a full vote for the party
candidate The expense will be big enough,
never fear, and the old legislative way
OF naming a Senator would be preferable
in many States with large areas and
diverse political sections.
William G. Conley, late attorney gen.
eral Of West Virginia, looked in on Con-
gress with some regret during his recent
visit, even II he was personally cordial
to his political foe. James Brown, men,
Der from the Second district. A year ago
Conley and Brown were all else than
cordial, with Conley seeking to supplant
Brown in the affections of Second dis
trict voters. The result was Browns
election by IA plurality, and no wonder
the COnley soul was narrowed as he re-
called how he might have found fourteen
extra voters If he had only known. Con-
ley remains young man, some years
the Junior of his adversary, and they
may have another run for the same honor
a year hence. The district has kept rather
frm in the Republican faith since the
defeat of William L. Wilson in 1894, and
outside Of slipping a cog when Uncle Tom
Davis came in for a vacancy. sent Re-
publicans until Brown took hold three
years ago.
The Watson organization also aided
much in stiffening up the Democratic
end Of things, but normally the district
inclines 10 the Republican faith, and Con-
ley is no more confident of this fact than
Brown is fearful of il, so some politics
OF the strenuous sort may be expected
next year, especially If Brown continues
ambitious to be governor.
What shall we do with our ex-Con-
gressmen?" has become a question in
some States, like the one asked nation
oil oh
years back, and the sudden shift OF
things political in the last three years
has increased the number of ex-Con-
gressmen to an almost alarming extent.
Those who remain young enough usu-