Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1896 — VETERAN STATESMEN. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

VETERAN STATESMEN.

LEGISLATORS ACTIVE AT AN ADVANCED AGE. Morrill witb His 85 Tears lathe Nettor of the Senate and Is than Gladstone—Many Other Distinguished Statesmen! Capital City Chat. Washington correspondence:

Englishmen like to boast of the great age attained by tbeir statesmen and public men and point with special pride to the “grand old man,” Mr. Gladstone. But gsl we, too, have some §l®' fid men. the most re*Ua markable being Senator Morrill of Ver'"pSSjmont. Senator Morrill is 85 years of - age, in perfect health, with a mind FpjTvi vigorous and active, nr i. been intellect and [' li' a remarkable capacity for work. He is

older than Gladstone, and he is still in the thick of the hurly-burly of political life. He was born at Stratford, Vt., and was a representative in Congress in the 34th, 35th, 36th, illth, 38th and 39th Congresses, and wag elected to the United States Senate to succeed Luke P. Poland on March 4, 1807, and has served since continuously in the highest legislative body of his country. While the oldest member of the Senate, Senator Morrill

a closely pressed by several of his distinguished associates. There are just exactly eight other members of the upper house of Congress who have passed the threescore and ten limit, their ages and names being as follows: Harris of Tennessee, 79; Palmer of Illinois, 78; Pugli of Alabama, 75;

Sherman of Ohio, 72; Bate of Tennessee, 72; Morgan of Alabama, 71, and Gear of lowa, 70. The Tennessee Senator was born in 181 G. The fact that he is almost an octogenarian is not apparent to a casual observer, and were it not for the fact that his few remaining hairs are a silverywhite, lie could easily pass for 00. Some say that he is becoming a little testy in his advancing years, and that he is apt to be short and peppery, particularly in debate. As a presiding officer, however, ho has no superior, and lie is ns impartial while in the chair as he is well versed in parliamentary law. Palmer of Illinois. Senator John McAuley Palmer, who

comes next in the list, is a sturdy Democrat with a distinguished military record. He carries his 78 years with a good deal of grace, and is still active and vigorous. When hi* ■ was elected to the Senate in 1890 the Legislature of : Illinois contained just 101 Democratic members, while to elect their candidate they required three

more votes. Every one of these 101 Democrats voted for Gen. Palmer on each of the 153 ballots that were'taken before a result was reached, and on the 154th ballot the independents united with the Democrats and lie was elected United States Senator. As a reward for their wonderful constancy each of the supporters of Gen. Palmer was presented with a gold medal. Senator Pugh, of Alabama, is stijl iu active political life at 75. He is an excellent judge of brandy and wine, and Landlord Page, of the Senate restaurant, has named one of the Alabama Senator’s concoctions the Pugh cocktail. It is a favorite drink with the Southern members. The senior Senator from Ohio is one of

the few remaining representatives of the Webster school of statesmanship. His figure is tall and erect, and in debatb he has a picturesque delivery that reminds one of the days of Clay and Calhoun. Both of Tennessee’s representatives! in the Senate are more than 70 years of age. William B. Bate, Har-

ris’-colleague, being 72. He has a long war record, serving as major general in the Confederate army, and he has a painful limp as a memory of the late struggle. He looks every inch a soldier, however, even to his iron gray mustache and military goatee. Senator Morgan, of Alabama, has lived 71 years, 20 of which have been passed in public life. He is an authority on matters of international law, and was one of the United States representatives at the famous Behring Sea tribunal. One of his hobbies is the Nicaraguan canal, and he is one of the strongest advocates of the Government ownership of this pathway of commerce. His personal appearance is quite prepossessing; ho has a florid face and snowy mustache and goatee, a combination that is generally pleasing. Between 60 and 70 Years. John Henry Gear, the new Senator from

lowa, conies from the House with a long and honorable record. Gear and Allison make a strong pair of Senat s from lowa. There are twenty Senators whose ages range between 60 and 70 years. Senators Hawley of Con-

necticut, Hoar of Massachusetts, and George of Mississippi, are each 69, Of the trio Hawley probably shows his years the least. He has had quite a distinguished and varied career. After practicing law he became editor of the Hartford Courant, which he now owns, served through the war as major general, was elected Governor of his State and eventually came to Congress. After serving through three Congresses he was elected

to the Senate In 1880 and has been there ever since. He is a brilliant debater, and can make a very fiery speech. Senator Hoar is a wellknown public man, a scholar and a statesman. He has degrees from nearly all the IJew England universities of learning. and is a mem-

ber of a number of historical and literary societies, and is now corresponding member of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. Senator Hoar has a keen sense of humor, which is clearly reflected in his twinkling blue eyes, and he is never better pleased than when engaged in repartee with the Democratic members of the Senate. Senator George, of Mississippi, enjoys the distinction of being the most careless member of the upper house

in regard to his personal appearance. Ha is a bluff, whole-souled man, however, and is a favorite with his associates, notwithstanding his neglectful habits. Other Distinguished Statesmen Senators Voorhees of Indiana, Stewart

of Nevada and Platt of Connecticut are all of the same age, 08. Stewart is a patriarebiallooking statesman, and however his views on the silver question may be regarded by the general public, that he is a favorite with the frequentersof theßenate it shown by the applause that invariably greets

any speech he makes. Senator Voorhees shows all of his 08 years, and his brow is wrinkled with the worry and cares of many a political battle. He is a bitter partisan and has made many a fiery speech on the floor of the Senate. Senator Piatt is a tall and well-preserved man and looks stroug and vigorous. He always takes a prominent part in discussions in the Senate, but is never known to say anything brilliant, his words being slow and measured. Gen. John B. Gordon, of Georgia, who ie 07 years of age,

has seen considerable of public life. He served through the war as major general in the Confederate forces, has been Governor of his State, and served in the United States Senate for eight years previous, to his last election to that body. Senators 1 Cullom of Illinois and Allison of lowa, both of

whom are on the list as possible presidential nominees, are 6(5 years of age. Cullom is noted for his resemblance to Abraham Lincoln and trains his whiskers to increase the likeness. He is a shrewd politician and carries considerable force in the councils of his party. Allison is considered one of the handsomest men in the Senate, and is a great favorite on account of his uniform courtesy and consideration of others. These Senators are Go years old: Teller of Colorado, Vest of Missouri and Jones of Nevada, while Senators Peffer of Kansas, Walthall of Mississippi and Proctor of Vermont are each 04. Of the sextet

Teller is probably Ibe most sprightly, his step still retaining the spring of youth. Peffer is just the opposite. His movements are slow and heavy and he • walks with the undecided movements of a man of 80. Jones is a man of considerable wealth, and

his carelessness in handling immense rolls of bills has occasioned a good deal of gossip. He always has a number of bills of large denomination, which he carries loosely iu his pockets. Senator Mills of Texas has passed 06 summers, and the Pennsylvania Senators, Cameron and Quay, are each 02, while Cockrell of Missouri, with 01 years to his credit, completes the list of twenty senators whose ages range between 00 and 70. Cameron might easily be taken for 50, while his colleague is just about as youthful.

MORRILL.

PAIMER.

SHERMAN.

VOORHEES.

PUFFER.

ALLISON.

HAWLEY.

MILLS.