Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1843-04-11
SENATOR PHELPS.


or Of the Wa,chman by resden, At Washington,
believed TO be familiar with the labors of Members
of Congress and the manner IN which they are
performed The talents and abilities of our dis
iinguishcd ,ownsman are too well known in Yer
mont to need any praise from abroad. But from
this letter we arc gratiied TO find that they are
cquaed only by his assduous application and IN
Welding industry in dischsrging the less snowy,
but more useful dulie. OF his station His pollti.
cal course we have carefully watched, and in no
instance have we discovered the least Tagging from
thai unbonding integrity which marks the genuine
whg
While saying thus much in relation 10 Judge
Phelps we are by no means unmindful OF the dis
,inguised merits Of several other Members Of the
Vermont delegation No State in the Union in
proportion to their numbers, furnished more tru.
|, able and useful representation in Congress than
our own-Peopies Press
Washington, Marcel 2lst, ls43.
Among the members Of the U S Senate with
whom ii was my good fortune to become acquain-
ted, during the last Congress, is your eslmablc
Senator, Judge Phelps From my long residence
in Washington and my frequent intercourse with
the members of both Houses, I have been enabled
10 form pretty Just estimate Of the intellectual ca
libre, qualifications and powers Of those who have
in both branches of the National legislature A
mans constituents are too apt TO form judgment
of his influence and usefulness by the number Of
speeches he makes or the resolutions and motions
he may submit. But this is very imperfect cri
terion, and is far from proving members useful
ness. No man on the floor of Congress had
higher reputation for parliamentary oratory than
John Randol phi of Roanoke, but certainly no man
wa. ever more useless. During his whole Con-
gresslonal career, he was never, believe, known
to originate single measure, and as member Of
a Committee, was wholly inefficient Henry A.
Wise knows the advantage of keeping ones name
constantly before the public, and he carries this
practice in the House nd nauseam The most
useful and efficient members those that address
either House but seldom, and then from absolute
necessity, and when they know they can shed
some new light on the subject and effect some
great object by their eloquence. OF this class is
Mr.. Phelps. He never addresses the Senate but
when there is a necessity for it. and seems to have
no ambition to cut figure by popping up on all
when he does address the Senate is listened to with
great attention by that body, who regard him as
man Of sound discriminating judgment-a vigor.
Gus and powerful intelcct-and one whom it is al
ways clear cogent conclusive, and he appears to
spurn or dispute the neriticious aid of rhetoric to
give force and spendor to what he says He
never speaks for effect, or like good many, mere
" to obtain the reputation Of oratorial brilliancy
He reasons dispassionately and philosophically,
and of course effectively, He prefers logic 10
rhetoric-the utile to the dulce-thc solid TO the
brilliant His great merit, however, is devotion
TO his duties as Senator, especially as the chair
man Of very aborous committee, the business
Of which has necessarily claimed the most of his
attention and occupied committee which he reg
lar y attends and whose labors are greatly reliev-
ed by The light of his clear mind and the industry
he besows on the questions brought before them
for investigation. Morning after morning you
may see the desk Of Judge Phelps alnos, covered
with reports, he, as chairman has prepared to sub
nit to the Senate. These are made and ofcourse
barely noticed in the public journals of this City
but no one not acquainted with the character OF
tho business before such a committee, can form
any just idea ofthe labor, industry and attention
which It's duties require when properly discharged,
nor Of the value and usefulness Of a laborious and
efficient chairman. 1t is not he whose name is
paraded, perhaps daily, before the public, or who
!. reported a. doing this and that in the House, is
the most useful. Such men often interrupt and
delay the importan, business Of Congress, and ac-
qure a name that they frequently do not merit.
The course Of Judge Phelps, since he has had
a seat in the Senate, has been that Of true nd
genuine Wing and hi. views on all questions on
which he has spoken, have been those OF states
man and patriot He does not seem 10 be am
bilious to distinguish himselfas mere politician
and therefore keeps aloof from the trckery of ul
trasm. Hence he is regarded, in the body tC
which he belongs, as an upright and honest man
whose political principles are decided and immov
able whose feelings are liberal and whose views
are almost always correct. ! look upon him as
great acquisition TO the Senate, and gentleman
in whose State should feel great pride. 1t woulC
be "a great blessing to the country if there wer,
more such men in Congress