The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-10
senator sprague's Last Spread.


Senator Sprague, of Rhode Island, has again
electrified the Senate and the country with an
other Of his pungent, stirring and character
istic speeches. His theme, like his pioneer
effort, was the deplorable condition OF the
country, taking the whiskey and tobacco tax
as the text upon which to hinge his sparkling
effusion. Although on reading his speech it is
at times little difficult to discern what he is
exactly driving at, yet it must be remembered
that one of England's most remarkable men,
Sir Horace Walpole, was noted for occasional
obscurity and ambiguity while giving utterance
to noble thoughts Senator Sprague is the
WalpOle Of the American Senate. Like Wal
pole, he rarely addresses the Senate, but when
he does he stirs up the old fogies amazingly.
AS was said of Walpole so we may remark OF
Sprague-his life is devoted to the qualification
of fastidious and whimsical taste, and in
measure to retailing and recording the politi-
cal gossip and fashionable scandal OF the day.
Furthermore, and in continuation of this an
alogy, Sprague, like Walpole, is placed in
comfortable circumstances so far as worldly
for pictures, prints, books, manuscripts,
relics of antiquity, objects of certw
and thousand odds and ends in brief,
he is sort of gatherer up of uncon-
sidered trifes, with which he amuses himself
and edifes his friends. Moreover, Sprague,
like Walpole, to continue the figure, is famous
for his letters, the style being singularly easy
and appropriate for example, the
brusque note addressed lately by Mr.. Sprague
to the editor of Rhode Island paper and as
was said of Walpole, so it may be repeated of
Sprague: ''the most eccentric, the most arti-
fical the most fastidious, the most capriciOus
of men, he is, nevertheless, just the man for
the times and for the United States Senate as
at present constituted. He startles the old
drybones of that body with a sudden shock
that a telegraph operator sometimes feels
while manipulating his instrument during
thunder storm. If he does not make them howl
he makes them laugh, which is evidence that
at any rate he enlists their attention. merit
that Garrett Davis long winded harangues
upon blown-up topics cannot boast Of There
is one thing, however, decidedly translucent
in Senator Sprague's last spread-he declares
that he has not bought the National In
teNigencer. Here he shows wisdom. There
is no Indication of vacillation, no exhibition
of imbecility of mind, so far as that opera
ton is concerned. And while his col
league, Senator Anthony, attempts to put
rosy and facetious glow upon Senator
Spragues stunning oratorical effort on
Thursday last, by pronouncing him, with more
truth than jest, leader Of finance, in the
RADIO Jewett as diplomat and George Francis
Train as a general statesman, Sprague himself
subsidies amid the approving smiles of galaxy
of fashionably attired ladies in the Senate gal
leres. Sprague does not like Anthony. Neither
do we. Anthony is envious Of the advancing
celebrity of his gamecock colleague. Hence
Anthony's wings are likely to be clipped in the
little bantam State of Rhode Island, and
Sprague will crow louder than ever. Sprague
is useful in the Senate. The eighteen-year
settlers in that body are growing mouldy-like
old cheese. They are getting tough and cor
rupt. Their Indian buildings, famous as New
England is for making them, are bad jobs.
They require ventilation, and Senator Sprague
is just the man, with his pluck, brains and
cash, to give them an airing. He can afford to
speak out. He wants no office. His ambition
is to save his country. Go on, Senator Sprague-
the Walpole of the American Senate-you are
developing a splendid mine Of intellectual
wealth, and every patriot in the land will wish
you God-speed in your sublime efforts to re-
form the corruptions and abuses that have
crept into the high places in our political tab
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