Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1896 — VETERAN STATESMEN. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

VETERAN STATESMEN.

LEGISLATORS ACTIVE AT AN fDVANCED AGE. Morrill with Hlb 83 Years Is the Nestor of the Senate and Is Olde) - than Gladstone—Many Other Distinguished Statesmen. . , Capital City Chat., v, Washington correspondence:

Englishmen like to boast of the great age attained by their • statesmen andTUTblrc men and point with special pride to the Sv' “grand old man,” jH® Air. Gladstone." But h'P( have some )!d men, the most rema rkablo Joeing Serta tor Morrill of Yermont. Senator Moris 85 years of age, in perfect I *™ rOTFP 'health, with a mind Bp-Tvl vigorous and active, III: i" a keen intellect and U' a remarkable capac- ' ity-for work. He is

older than Gladstone,, and 1m is still in the thick of the hurly-burly of political life. Tie Was born at Stratford. Vt.. and was a representative in Congress in the 34th, 35th, 30th, 37th, 58th and 30th Congresses, and was elected to the United States Senate to succeed Lake P. Polandon Mareh T, 1807, and has served since continuously in the highest legislative body of his country. While the oldest member of the Senate, Senator Morrill

.s'closely pressed by several of his distinguished associates. Theyc are just exactly eight other member's of the upper house of Congress who h'av if passed the threescore and ten limit, t heir ages and names being as fol- > lows: Harris of Tennessee, 79; Palmer of Illinois, 78; Pugh 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 1810. The fact that ho is almost an octogenarian is not apparent to a casual observer, and were it not for the fact that his few remaining ha'irs are a silvery white, lie could easily pass for 00. Some say that he is becoming a little testy ill his advancing years, and that he is apt to be short and peppery, particularly in debate. As a presiding officer, however, he has no superior, and lie is a,s impartial While in the chair as he is well versed irt parliamentary law. . Palmer of Illinois. Senator John MeAuley Palmer, who

conies next in the list, is a sturdy Democrat with a distinguished mititary record. He carries his.7B years with a good deal of grace, and is still active and vigorous. 'When he .was elected to the Senate in 1890 the Legislature of ; Illinois contained just 101 Democratic members, while to elect their candidate they required thi'ee

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 bajlot the independents united with the Democrats aml he 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 still ill active political life at 75. The senior Senator from Ohio is one of

the few remaining representatives of the Webster school of statesmanship, 11 is figure is tall and erect, and in debate lie has :i 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 hejias 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. Ho is an authority on matters of internatiqjyi! 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 commence. Between 60 and 70 Years, John Henry Gear, the new Senator from

lowa, comes from the House with a long and honorable record. Gear and Allison make a strong pair of Senato r 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, nre each 69. Of the trio Hnwley probably shows his years the least. He has had quite a distinguished aud varied career. After practicing law he became editbr 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,aud eau make, u very fiery speech. Senator Hoar is a wellknown public man, a scholar and a statesman. He has degrees from nearly all the New England uttL»*ersities of learning. and is a mem-

. ant —_ ... ber of a number of historical and litertry societies, and is now corresponding nctnber of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts

I ..-—a-’ . §*.'■ j ■ease of humor, which is cle*riy reflected tn his twinkling bine eyes, and he is never Letter pleased than when engaged in repartee with the Democratic "members of 'the Senatp. Senator George,! of Mississippi, enjoys the distinction of being the most careless member of the upper house in regard to his personal appearance. He is a bluff, whole-souled man, however, and is a favorite with his associates, notwithstanding, bis negle .-tful habits. Other Distinguished Statesmen Senators Voorhees qf Indiana, Stewart

Of Nevada and Platt of Connecticut are all of the same ago, 08, Stewnrt is a patriarchiallc oLing_statesmau,_atul however his views on the silver question may be regarded by the general public, that he is a favorite with the frequentersof the Senate is shown by the applause that invariably greets 1

any speech he makes. Senator Voorhees shows all of his (IS 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 Platt is a tall and well-preserved man and looks strong and vigosous. He always takes-a prominent part in discussions in 'the Senate, but is never known to say anything brilliant, his words beinjg slow and measured. Gen. John B. Gordon, of Georgia, who istiryears of age,

has seen considerable of public life. He cd through the war as major general in the. •"Confqderiite.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 Cullom of Illinois and Allison of.lowa. both of

whom are on the list fts possible presidential nominees, are G(i years..of age, Cul--4em is noted for in's‘rescmblancc 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 iu the Senate, and is a great favorite on account of his Uniform courtesy and consideration of others-. - ■ , ——— - These Senators are 05 years bid: Teller of Colorado, Vest of Missouri and Jones of Nevada, while Senators Pcffer of Kansga,' Walthall of-Mississippi-and Proctor of Vermont are each 04. Of the sextet

Teller is probably the most sprightly, his step still retaining the , spring of youth. Peffer is just the opposite. His movements arc slow and heavy and ho • walks with'the undecided movements of a man of 80. Jones is a man of cousiderable, 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 in his pockets. Senator Mills of Texas has passed 03 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 whoso ages range between 00 and 70. Cameron . might easily be taken for 50, while lik colleague is just about as youthful.

PALMEK.

VOORHEES.

MORRILL.

SHERMAN.

PEFFER.

ALLISON.

MILLS.

HAWLEY.