Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-02
kenyon ABkND0NS
SENATE IN DISGUST
Ruled by His Ideals, Iowa Sen
ator Was Outcast Politically
and Socially
NEXT BLOC LEADER PUZZLE
By CLINTON W. GILBERT

@t'H &o'FtSNVUueHt f.VcnlNE IunuC I<ngT
Copyright, 1923, By rubiio Ledger Company
Washington. Feb. O. Senator Ken
yon's acceptance of a indgcship leaves
the farm bloc for tho moment without
leader and temporarily cripplcs It,.
Borah might be its leader. but his in.
tercsts arc elsewhere and he is lone
hand la Toilette is perhaps too friendly
tc the labor unions. and is too far out
side of tho Republican ranks TO enlist
large following.
IF !. Il. Howard succeeds Kenyon
from Iowa, he may be the leader Of the
i bloc. Howard is head Of the Farm Bu.
rcau Federation. which really inspired
and largely influenced the bloc. hut no
new Senator can be as effective as one
who had served as long as Mr.. Ken
yon, and Howard, even il appointed by
Governor Kendall may not be able to
obtain nomination and election next
fall. Cappcr is the likelicst leader. but
he is not strong.
Thus. from President Harding's S
standpoint. the placing Of Kenyon on
the bench was good politics. 1t also
removed from the field possible candi-
date against Mr.. Harding for the rrcsi-
dcncy in 1924.
! But although it means that Mr.. Ken.
yon will be succeeded by much more
radical leader and the bloc will be
carried farther away from the Repubi-
can Party. Kenyon was first Of all q
Republic an. His successor may not b".
/ The bloc may split.
! Quit In Disgust
/ Perhaps that 10 be both Republican
and leader of the bloc would become
difficult as the farmers grew more rndi :
/ cal was contributing factor TO Mr..
Kenyon s willingness to retire from tho
Senate. But more interesting than this
were Kenyon personal reactions to the
Senate. He quit the upper house in
| disgust. His attitude is reminiscent of
Mr.. Roots remark when he quit the
Senate after one term. that he was tired
of it because 1--WE were doing such little
things in such Il little way
Mr.. Kenyon had this feeling. but in
! addition he was personally unhappy. Mr..
Root belonged to the ruling crowd. His
prestige and his standing with the right
people assured his freedom from the
Sights which fell upon man like Ken
yon. who sought to maintain his indc-
pcndcncc.
The Senate Is something more than n
| body which meets daily in the Capitol
, or frcaucnts committee rooms. In its
off hours it is q social body. More than
half of the tie that binds it's members
together Is cementcd ut dinner parties.
You either belong TO the Senate set or
you do rot. You are likely not to do
so if you cannot be counted upon to
vote right.
Like q Country Town
It is like q small suburban town. |!
you live on one side of the railroad
track you belong to the country club
and take part in the towns social life
II YOU live on the other side you do not
The line is sharp. 1t is an unpleasant
line.
Mr.. Kenyon lived on the wrong side
Of the track politically. He did no,
belong. If you see those who are in
ferior to yourself intellectually and wit!
perhaps less Savoir vivrc accepted and
yourself left out, it hurts. The rebels
politically are not only isolated politi
cally. but they are almost sure 10 bc
/ isolated socially.
Mr.. Kenyon was not even rcbc!
politically. He was essentially con
scrvative and sure Republican, but
be was an idealist. lie was extremely
| conscientious. He never put his politi
cal morality into anybody's keeping
Probably he was not good mixer
Men Of his kind rarely arc.
Newberry Vote Final Straw
He resented the vote to seat New
berry. 1t was sort Of final straw with
! him, which convinced him that there
was no hope for the Senate as now con
s.tutcd and as it is likely to remain
for years to come. The vote for New.
berry. ii one could analyze its motives
was probably as much social in its con-
sideration as it was political.
cKnyon had come actually to loathe,
the Senate and to loathe Washington
TO temperament like his. the bench
with its retirement from political con
facts, strongly appealed, but the retire
ment of man of such character a.
Kenyon for the reasons Just given is al
ominous sign regarding the Legislative
branch of the Government.