The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-12-18
Mon. a. EH. Stephens.

On the 18th, the salary question was up
in Congress. Che Washington oorrespen-
dent Of the Baltimore Sun says:
The feature of the days session was the
speech Of Mr.. Stephens, of Georgia. There
was probably never a man on the floor who
was listented to with more attention. His
prominence In the councils OF the nation
years ago. the important position ne held in
the Southern Confederscy, and his conceded
great ability. all had the effect to direct
great attention 10 him. The members Of
the House, gathered about his seat, in order
that they might hear every word, and 1t no
sooner became kuown that he had the floor
than Senator'S came pouring into the hall OF
the Representatives, Wills the Senate gal
leries were speedily depleted.
Mr.. Stephens very appearance IS bound
to attract attention. Physically he is the
most diminutive man in Congress, but he is
considered giant in Intellect, aud has a
most wonderful voice. His language is pure
and classic, and his enunciation is SO clear
that every word could be heard in all parts
Of the hall. While speaking be wore a
plum colered velvet smoking cap, and leaned
for support upon crutch under his lett arm.
With his right he added force to his Ian
euage by his gestures, and ut times very for
cbIy struck the desk just behind him.
While speaking he faced the republican side
of the House, and prominent among those
who paid the morst marked attention were
Alessls. Dawes, Garfield, B. T. Butler, G..
F. Hoar, Kelly, and other republican leaders,
Gathered around him and in his immediate
vicinity were at east twenty-five members
who had served with him in one capacity or
another in the Southern Jonfederacy. The
whole scene was one which those who Wit
messed it will not soon forget. After he had
finished his speech Gen. Butler walked up
to him and ya1mly congratulated him.
The correspondent of the Anaerican says !:
Mr.. Poland, of Vermont, who is reSpec-
liability personifed, and yet might set for
the portrait Of a French Marquis, opened
the debate on the salary grab this morn
ing, and favored repeal. When he con-
Guided, Mr., Stephens, of Georgia, was
recognized by the Chair, and his crutches
having been handed him he slowly .aised
himself from his seat, and with . crutch
uuQCf HIS ICIC I'll III ttLQ ulo ny uO manu- Oi1
the desk behind him, began his speech
Yesterday Mr. Stephens laid aside the
low-crowned black felt hat he has worn on
all occasions for u small cap Of black veil
vet, which he wore to-day, and under
which his thin gray hairs disclosed them.
selves Form and features alike indicated
physical decay, but the eyes Of this feeble
old man were luminous with intellect, and
his voice rang out at times with something
of its old fi'e and vigor. MIR. Stephens
position on this question has been no secret
to his friends here. He is opposed to the
repeal of the Salary bill and to the taking
away of the ranking privilege. 10 his
otening remarks he took exceptions to the
use Of the term demagogue, the real mean.
ing of the word being leader of the people
The real statesman is demagogue, be:
cause he leads the people. MIR. Stephens
also described the shai4 demagogue, who
humors popular prejudices to obtain office,
and who is not altog ether unknown in WASH
ington. So far as the responsibility fol
the passage Of the Salary bill is concerned
Mr.. Stephens, said in his opinion, it restee
upon the Democrats as we'll as upon tbs
Republicans He had had nothing to d.
with the back pay, but had he been II
Congress at the time he would have take
it, whether he had voted for it or not, be
lieving he would have had a constitutions
rightto it. He argued that the highIlees
price should be paid for brain labor, AM
recalled speech he made at tn
thirty fifth Congress, when he expected t
retire permanently from public life. j