Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-14
UNCLE SAM. ESQ.
United States Senate.
Its Changes-Its Work.
By Oliver Owen Kuhn.

Indestructible in character. but
| tressed by constitutional prerogatives.
| Influenced by presidents growing with
the years and guided by self-imposed
| mea sures, the United States Senate,
probably the most powerful single
| legislative body in the world. moves
and acts serene in the knowledge that
should many other branches of the
American government crumble it will
remain.
The founders of the American nation
after days and weeks of grave per-
plexity decided there should be some
keystone. The Senate was chosen.
And. as in the earliest days of an or
ganized nation. the Senate now is in
fluenced in its deliberations, its dis
cussion and general procedure by the
silent influence of the trust imposed
by those all-wise colonial fathers.
Though dominated by conservatism.
which has been the cause of attacks
during the decades passing since the
still moving with the dignity of a
body cognizant of faith imposed, there
has been a slow transition from the
ultra. ultra conservative, until to-day
the United States Senate stands for
pedftious action as we'll as dignity.
Even the character of the personnel
of the upper house has undergone such
changes that today 1t more represents
young America than at any time in its
history.
Back in the earlier ages some inven-
tive Latin in struggling for a word
depicting a
Senators of Today gathering of
Younger Than Of Yore. unon the
term Senex From this word is derived
the term Senate. And, as in the earliest
republics where there was such a body,
the United States Senate in its earlier
history was composed chiefly OF elderly
men. the popular supposition being
they were best able by virtue of their
mature experience, thought and knowl-
edge of statecraft to occupy in body
which was to be bulwark in the
perpetuation of the government. To-
day probably half of its personnel has
not yet reached the age of sixty, which,
it may be said. is considered young as
the Senate considers age.
Peculiar as 1t may seem, 1t neverthe-
less is the fact that with the gradual
there has come about greater initiation
of advanced legislation. and even the
sessions move with more expedition,
despite limitation imposed by custom or
presidents in the earlier period Of its
life
In the olden days a senator Stunned
the floor of the Senate chamber unless
clad in frock coat; today any old bust.
ness suit will do. During the heated
months when Congress was in session
the Senators slipped draughts Of iced
lemonade that they might be more i'm
pervious to the terrible heat of summer
while manufacturing laws. Today cleo
trio fans do duty at every vantage point
of the Senate chamber. But even this
innovation was bitterly fought. Once.
long wordy and eloquent speeches were
the rule, those oraors soaring to the
greatest heights being deemed the best
statesmen. Today the man that gets to
the point quickest and knows when to
stop speaking is the one who wins the
whole hearted appreciation Of his col
leagues. These are but few Of the prece-
dents and customs upset by the states
men Of the younger school. but they show
the trend Of transformation.
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