Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1893 — SCENES IN THE SENATE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SCENES IN THE SENATE

SOME OF THE MEN WHO MAKE SPEECHES. Leader! Engaged In Parliamentary Dueling—Debates Bristle with Sharp Re-partee-Conferences that Indicate Silent Warfare. The Great Debate. Washington correspondence: The scenes in the Senate since the opening, of the extra session have been

remarkable for the regular and 'steady attendance of the Senators, Ihe sincere inteieit of each of them in the utterances of their associates, and tlio crowded galleries. Each speaker is given"strict attention of the Senate. The logic of the speech is followed and

scored away, the data and statistics are read and analyzed. Seldom has any debate been so carefully followed and studied as that which nas been going on for.the past two weeks. Those who have been fortunate enough to be present in the Senate galleries have seen and heard the men of the nation at their best. There has been a struggle on all sides to mako for each party the most of the political capital that is certain to result when Congress legislates upon a subject of not national but international import. Every point, every word has its meaning, and before such a critical audience one is bound to think twice before.he speaks, for he appre-

ciates that should he make a misstep he would be at the mercy of those ho are of a different belief, who are ever on the alert. to make it embarrassing for him. The debates bristle wit h sharp repartee, and give to the sessions of tho Senate a sharpness and brilliancy that is unusual. The battle that is being waged on the floor is not appar-; ent to tho casual observer’. In every motion that is made there is apt to be a

hidden effort, and it takes the vigilance and quick insight of tho leader to appreciate the meaning of his opponent and as quickly pat ry it with a motion that will benefit his side. The conferences that occur between these men are interesting and at the same time aro indicative of the silent warfare that is eoing on. A motion or suggestion made by the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Voorhees) hurriedly ca ls together Mr. Teller, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Dubois, Mr, Peffer, Mr. Jones, and the other silver Senators. On the other hand, a move pn the part of' any of these will bring together Mr. Gorman, Mr. Voor-

hoes and Mr. Fau Ikn er, and with their heads together they will talk hurriedly,and as a result one of the latter two will make the motion, which will probably bo carried out by the majority. It is very seldom that Mr. Gorman speaks to the Senate. He prefers

to allow others to carry out his plans. As a study of the aristocratic characters of the different sections of the country the Senate even affords better opportunities than the House. It would not be a difficult matter to analyze the temperaments of the Senator from Massachusetts, Mr. Lodge, or those of Mr. Peffer, from Kansas. Two men could hardly be more different in their tastes and habits. In Mr. Lodge .there is the cut and dash of a collegebred Now-Englander. The trim, welldressed figure, erect and athletic in its build, a good strong head well posted on national affairs and a mind clear and independent are seen by his walk. Most closely resembling him in these attributes is Senator Wolcott, of Colorado,

who is also Eastern born, but Western raised. His stay in the West has given Mm that boldness of speech and. directness of manner which is characteristic . of- the West, while adding a robust' constitution which allows of a powerful voice and force of gesture. For so young a man ha. attracts more atten- r tion to his speeches'; than is usual. Firmly identified*

with everything in senator sheuman. the Senate that has a silver lining is Mr. Stewart of Nevada. He is known the world over as being for silver, free and unlimited as to its coinage, and in this respect he is one of the bout-known characters in the Senate. He is one of the far Western self-made men, and though, perhaps, his power of oratory is not as magnetic as some of his fellow members, he is undoubtedly a thorn in the side of those who attempt to legislate against the white metal. He has an apparently everlasting fund Of silver knowledge, and is ever prepared to stand for the rights of that metal. Senator Sherman seems to have aged since the last session, but it was apparent froill his recent speech that he has lost none of the fire and clear-headed manner of speech that has marked him as one of the most able men this country hhs produced. He is one of the parliamentarians, in Congress, and is always ready to suggest the proper method of disposing of any question that comes before the body of which he is a member. Though he had a portipn bTidiis speech written out, he sel- ' dOm referred to the notes, except for statistics or figures, and though he talked for nearly three hours he never hesitated or had to change his style of expression. He is seldom absent from ; the Sephto. and is regarded as one of most valuable men that there are on the Republican side of the chamber for that party. Perhaps, next to Senator Voorhees, the Democrat who is taking the mfcst active part in the financial discussion is Senator McPherson of New Jersey. According to his own statement he appreciates that his party is now in control Qf the legislative branches of the country, and that it is responsible for all that is given to this country from Congress during this Congress at least. Re has come forward as a strong friend of the administration in the present emergency, and on account of his ex-

perience and long- service on the Finance Committee is one of Mr. Cleveland’s most helpful lieutenants on the floor. . f -

SENATOR WOLCOTT.

SENATOR M'FHERSON.

SENATOR LODGE.