Farewell to a Quartet of Kings of the Hill

Four retiring members of Congress represent the passing of political traditions

One speaks with a Southern lilt, one has a Boston brogue, one a patrician richness, one a Western twang. They represent four different regions of the country, reflect four distinct personal styles and stand for four divergent political traditions. Their total years in the nation's service come to 128, and with their retirement this year, they are each closing a chapter in the history of Congress. Russell Long of Louisiana is the sharp, smooth-talking, back-room Senate insider; Barry Goldwater is the quixotic loner whose conservatism was ahead of its time; Charles McC. Mathias of Maryland is one of the last of...

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