The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-07-19
CONSTITUTIONAL coNvRNr1oN.
Hnssrs.sins Besase ON enc Ts-ry e.e.ti.a.


lCorrsspondeucs Of Lhe Tunes and Chron,cle
COLUMBUS, June 16. Out Of small be-
ginning to-day, and unexpectedly to most
of those present, the debate grew into a.
brilliant a forensic display Is was ever wit
messed upon the floor Of this hall. Old
Legislators and debaters say they never lis
tened TO more interesting, exciting and
brilliant discussion.
The question was upon the proposition
No. Of Mr.. Freiberg, to amend Article
10 of the Constitution, 50 as to abolish all
usury Jaws, except in cases where no special
rate Of interest is agreed upon between the
parties to a loan.
Mr.. Freiberg announced yesterday that
he would speak at length upon the the sub
| ject to-day. He brought all the old arga-
ments and some new ones to bear upon the
/ question into the subject matter of the
debates | do not propose to GO. 1t even
left the usury question, simply, entirely in
the lurch, and broadened until it covered
every financial question of Importance that
has ever occupied the attention Of the peo-
pie and finally it became a mere gladia-
torial forensic struggle between two cham
pions, Hoadly and Ewing
After Mr.. Frieberg finished, MIR. Foran
Of Cleveland, the boyish- looking member
who comes out as the champion Of the
working people, and the trades unions,
arose to reply. His speech, too, traversed
ground much of which has been worn
smOoth by the feet OF previous searchers
after truth upon the question. In some
what sophlnOric style, he extOlled usuW
laws as the safe guard and protectors Of the
working people, who were the backbone of
the land. He made a good impression,
met Mr. Freiberg fairly upon many points,
and upon the whole, argued the cause of
the working people against the moneyed
aristocracy well.
Mr. Rowland followed in support Of Mr..
Freiberg. Mr. Rowland had heretofore
sat quietly in his seat, and had been con-
tented to work untiringly in committee
rooms and leaving the debating and elocu-
tionary exhibitions to others. But Mr.
Foran's communistic speech and bold form
Of expression aroused Mr.. Rowland's bile,
and he came finally to the front as ''mus-
cular," off hand debater. In the opinion
Of some he handled Mr.. Foran rather too
severely, and hardly showed patience
enough with him, considering the latters
youth and experience. But those who
know Mr. Rowland know that he is hard,
unyielding man in debate, and bad man
to tackle. He has no patience with the
theories Of Mr.. Foran, and he hit out at
that devoted young man in a most savage
and uncompromising manner. Foran an
swered quite mildly, and evidently felt
little nervous at having aroused such an-
tsgonists, like the small boy who stirred up
the bears.
Mr.. Foran is a good-looking young man,
rather above medium height, with heavy,
black moustache, regular features, head of
thick black hair inclined to wave, bright,
intelligent looking eyes, and rather diff
dent, retiring manner. He is thoroughly
imbued with the principles and doctrines
of trade unions, and entirely and enthusi-
astically devoted u their cause. He is by
trade u cooper.
II is needless to describe Mr.. Rowland
to the people of Cincinnati, and what 1
have said about his power as debater
covers the whole ground.
He is one Of those men whom Ia q dis
cussion, it is better to leave alone He has
no respect for person, and, in contro-
versy. when he sees head he hits it if it
is in the ranks of the opposition.
Mr. Ewing then spoke briefly in support
OF MIR Foran, and had lively spar with
Rowland, Judge Hoadly, and others. He
spoke but few minutes this time.
Judge Hoadly was the next speaker. He
began by saying that he was opposed - all
usury laws, but that he would not vote in
favor of the proposition of Mr.. Freiberg
to engraft upon the Constitution a provi-
sion to the effect proposed, because the
people were not prepared for the change.
That was about all he said concerning the
question, and thenceforth to the end of the
debate the original subject was pretty much
lost sight of and ignored.
He launched out into his favored doe
trines, stated his bold and Radical position,
based upon his belief in personal freedom,
individual liberty, as the foundation of all
true and equitable government.
In d moment he had aroused opposition.
Foran, Tuttle, Ewing, Gurley, one at a
time and altogether, came at him. Then
others took umbrage, and made for him.
Judge Hoadly stood up behind his desk
and poured hCt shot into the ranks Of his
assailants. Like hon at bay, he faced
in every direction to NEE them, and gave
them their answers short, sharp and deci
sive. One after another they ''got enough,
and withdrew. with their guns spiked. But
one big gun refused to he ,piked, and soon
Mr.. Ewing and Judge Hoadly were having
it out all between themselves.
Then came the real display Of forensic
strength and eloquence.
Judge Hoadley, slightly built, sharp fea-
tured, nervous, with eyes flashing, and
hands trembling with excitement, poured
out a steady stream Of brilliant sphorisms,
pat Illustrations, neat repartees, and facts,
and quotations, showing q wonderful mem
ory and a richly stored mind He is mi
trailleuse, pouring into his opponent a
~lthering FIRE Of grape and canister
No greater contrast could he imagined
than that presented by Mr.. Ewing. Tall,
dignified, handsome, Of commanding pres
ence, he speaks slowly, with careful EN-
phasis, with graceful gesture. He calmly
gathers up fact after fact, YIELDS them to-
gether, and then, in ringing tones, launches
them at the head Of his opponent, like a
cannon ball Each had found foeman
worthy of his steel, and the members of
the convention, reporters and spectators
listened with breathless interest t. this
grand struggle between two such powerful
men.
What they talked about am not just
considering. The manner and not the mat
ter of the debate l set out to describe.
Suffie it TO say that it was all about the
''dry science figures, statistics, finances,
free trade, tariff, &C.; and into such dry
bones as these they put SO much fire, 50
much eloquence, 70 much briliancy, that
all who were fortunate enough to be pres
ent during the debate will long treasure
the memory Of that personal trial Of
strength between two Of the ablest men Of
Ohio.
THE engines of the Cunard steamer SEQ
tia, are of 5000 horse-pOwer, lOO-inch cyl
inuers, and 12-feet stroke she burns l6l