Washington, Dec. s.—When Vice
President Morton rap{ e 1 the Senate to
order with his gavel he found himself
surrounded" aud saluted by many who
officially- were like the Roman gladia
tors, “about to die.” He himself is
numbered among those who will be
missed. Mr. Morton has made no en
emies ami many friends in the presiding
officer's chair. C’omiug to the Senate en
tirely unfamiliar with parliamentary
methods he has taken pains to become a
fairly- expert presiding officer, his un
ruffled serenity- of temper and unfailing
courtesy of manner aiding much to
popularize his rule. Immediately in
front of him, in the second row next to
the gangway, sat the veteran Dawes,
of Massachusetts, still in sound health,
who, after thirty-four y-ears of con
tinuous Congressional service, has
chosen to retire of his own free will.
In a knot in the far corner were
grouped the Senators from the newly
admitted States, Montana, Wyoming,
Washington and North Dakota, one
each of whom, together with Perkins,
the appointed Senator who fills
Plumb's place from Kansas, and Pad
dock, the energetic “pure food”
Senator from Nebraska, finds his fate
trembling in the balance. Near them
was Felton of California, who also will
make way for a Democrat next March,
and Stewart of Nevada, whose future
political affiliation in the changed con
dition of affairs in his “pocket bor
ough” State is a matter of doubt which
he alone can determine.
To Investigate Oklahoma Minerals.
