Evening star., 1935-07-04
PLACE IN HISTORY.
CERTAIN FOR GLASS
virginian Admired for His
Courage and Respected
for knowledge.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Who Of the Senators OF the pres
ent generation will some day be
ranked alongside of Henry Clay and
Daniel Webster as outstanding figures
In the history of the Senate?
There is one man. at least, who
is sure of a place in history. He
Is Carter Glass OF Virginia. who, 1t
lust now develops, not only was ac-
corded more honorary degrees by
American colleges and universities
five in all-than anybody else this
year. but it has leaked out that five
other institutions invited him to ac-
cept an honorary degree and con-
flict of dates in the commencement
season made it impossible for him
to be present.
There's an unWritten rule that
honorary degrees are usually confer
red in person and the Virginia Sem
atop could not be at functions in
two universities on the same day. so
he was forced to decline the honors.
Beloved by All Groups.
The interesting fact about the
GdIGSI Vi OSldlOl NrldSS 10 Oilut iiN
is beloved by all groups in public
life, admired for his courage and in
dependence and respected for his
great knowledge of public questions.
Though Mr.. Glass does not speak
often he has a penetrating style OF
expression which comes from the
depth of his convictions. 1t is not
his method or manner as legislator
but his independent attitude toward
all influences in the making of legis-
lation which marks him out as a
great Senator.
Thus Mr.. Glass was offered the
Secretaryship of the Treasury by Pres
ident Roosevelt in March. 1888. po-
sition which he held under President
Wilson But he foresaw that he could
not 60 along with the administration S
monetary policies and decided he
could be more independent as United
States Senator than as a cabinet Of
ficer.
Senator Glass has just made a no.
table contribution 70 the Federal Re-
serve System. of which he was the
principal builder in 1913 He has sue
ceeded in reconciling differences of
opinion between the American Bank
ers' Association and the Roosevelt ad-
ministration so that the proposed bill,
while still held by bankers to be in
large part unnecessary at this time
is nevertheless much better bill than
it was when passed by the House
1t goes without saying that, while
Senator Glass would be the last man
to attempt directly to influence the
course of his colleagues. his example
Is bound to have an important effect
on the quality of public service in the
future. He is anxious to be of help
to his constituents, but he does not
feel that the errands and chores
forced on member of Congress now
adays is his principal purpose in pub
lie life and that. while demands and
petitions come from his constituents.
ne reserves the right to vote as he
thinks will serve best the national
welfare.
Does Not Yield to Politics.
Just what appeals to the universities
and colleges and indeed. to their
student bodies which speak so highly
OF the service of Carter Glass is diff
cult to describe in a phrase. but it is
probably the open willingness of Sem
ator Glass to run counter to what has
hitherto been felt to be the necessi-
ties or exigencies Of politics. So many
public men endeavor to excuse their
course in public Office on the ground
that they must yield to politics or be
destroyed.
Mr.. Glass comes from a Democratic
State and is thoroughgoing Demo-
crat. but his differences with the
Roosevelt administration have made
him more instead of less popular.
There are other men like Carter
Glass in the Congress of the United
States, men of rugged courage and
independence of view as for instance
Representative George Huddleston of
Alabama, who received an ovation in
the House last week because of his
outspoken independence But men of
the type of Carter Glass are rare and
that's why American universities and
colleges give them the highest honors
they can bestoW-a sign of the times
Copyright 1880