Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-08-30

the character, stream-fow, possibilities
of commercial development and expendi-
lures to date on the Skykomish. Shoo-
kumchuck. Tombigbee. Cheesequake.
Brazos, Trinity or other American rivers,
and he can tell you in full without re-
course to any notes.
Ask him about the history of some
general legislation in this country. and
thing like this: THE subject was first
introduced at the second session of the
Fifty-sixth Congress. at which time, on
a favorable report of the committee on
public lands, the bill was enacted, but 1t
failed to pass the Senate. In the Fifty
seventh Congress- second session, the
Senate passed similar bill, but 1t failed
in the House. Not until the F1fty-eight
Congress was the law enacted. The text
then departed somewhat from the origi-
nal bill in that it. and so on.
Senator Burton's idea of thoroughly
good time is to bury himself in the Sem
ate or Supreme Court library, when the
Senate is not in session. and roam for
days and hours through the pages of
musty tones at which no one else ever
giances.
His home is in Cleveland. Ohio. but he
spends most of his time in Washington
Though possessing some of the social In
stinct he cannot be said to be gregarious.
Solid conversation with men of knowl-
edge and ideas he enjoys fully, but the
atmosphere of what is termed society in
Washington does not attract him.
Long ago the hostesses at the National
Capital gave UP as bad job any attempt
to make this bachelor senator butter
fly of fashion. But in Washington there
is society of learned and thinking peo-
ple to be found by those who seek for
it, and 1t Is with this element that Sena-
tor Burton finds his chlef SOCIAL reiaAa-
ton.
He maintains bachelor apartments not
far from the Metropolitan Club, and in
the club his associates are those VINO
have not a frivilous outlook on life.
A graye-faced, rather pallid, stopped
figure, whose long bending over desk
has given a sag to his frame, he looks
the student that he is. In manner ne is
distracted, save when In debate Wnen
he takes on an air of alertness. some
debaters cannot stand hacking. senator
burton is not one of these. He delights
in answering questions. Long ago tnose
who would oppose him found out the un-
safety of asking questions; TOO oIten 10
their own ignorance exposed.
BUT such exposes are always made IN
a courteous, gentle, though az tihs e
amused manner. He is not oratorlai u,
manner, though mobile lips give MN i "a,
appearance Of the one who might Pc
onietly. calmly, almost conversationaliy
he makes his speeches, which ever bristie
with the facts he loves. Metaphor ann
figures of speech. he .avoids. Anu WIZ Nv.
it all, his talk illuminates the sup1ect
and makes it readily understood.
Senator Burton's term in the Senate
, expires March 4. next. He has announced
definitely that he will not be candi-
date for reelection. While he has moi
, said so in SO many words. it is under
stood that he has no taste for making
the sort of campaign the new direct
: primary methods call. for. He is con.
tent now to leave public life.
: 1t has been long one, as public lives
r are measured in this country A native
Of Ashtabula county, Ohio, Senator
. Burton, at the age OF twenty was grad
uafed II 1872 from Oberlin COLLEGE. Tire