Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-02-14
COnkling on the Floor.

A Washington correspondent draws
the following picture of Roscoe Conk-
ling and the delivery of his great effort
on the electoral compromise bill
Shortly afterward the Sergeant-at-
Arms threw open the doors of the main
entrance, and the Senator from New
York entered the chamber amid a
loud buzz Of excitement and expecta-
ton. He walked slowly to his seat,
until, arriving in front of Senator Nor
ton, who sits opposite to him, he bowed
low and with mock Difference in re-
spouse to the quick, short nod of re-
cognition which he received from that
gentlem an. Then be sat down, and
the business of the Senate went on. An
hour afterwards he rose to conclude
his speech, commenced the day be-
fore. He did so deliberately, with a
full realization of the fact that 1000
people were waiting for his approach.
Every detail of his entree, SO to speak,
was carefully considered, "tne proper
ties - were all in their place, and they
were of the most striking and effective
character. A copy of the Constitution,
from which the great actor quoted, was
IL.
His notes were written on cream-tinted
paper; everything was in order, every
thing IN its place. Mr.. Conkling was
faultlessly attired. His coat and vest
opening down to bis waist displayed his
chest and shoulders to the best advan-
tage. Ills hands, white as any maiden's,
were frilled with spotless linen, and his
hair, the golden splendOr of which daz
zled many a beholder in the days that
are gone, was thrown back from the
broad, massive brow with a studied
carelessness which was the very perfec-
ton of art. AS he took the floor he
carefully pushed two obstructing chairs
out of his way, and then be stood for
moment, calm and self-possessed, six
| feet and two inches of manhood, filled
to overhowiDg with conscious greatness.
He was about to speak-indeed, he had
just opened his mouth-when page,
with frantic haste to gain the proud
mans appreciation" rushed to his side
with glass of water. For an instant
he looked at the child as if he would
have crushed him, and then, remem-
bering the audience, he gently waved
| him aside. and commenced his speech,
poor little page offered him was soon
apparent, for ne had hardly COM
menced to speak when his own body
servant entered, bearing silver salver,
upon which was a gold edged cup, filled
with fragrant tea. Having partaken of
this, the Senator went on with his
speech. 1t was q wonderful effort
there can be no doubt about that; Won
derful because of it's real sophistry and
false logic, and because of it's apparent
candor, frankness, good-nadure, cour-
tesy, and high-minded, disinterested
craftsmanship. Principally, however,
it was remarkable for the wonderful
power of memory which the Senator
displayed in its delivery. He had care
fully studied, committed to heart, and
rehearsed every word in the Grafton.
and at the same time ne SO played his
part as to lead many Of those who lis
| tened to him into the error of believing
! that 1t was extern pOraneous. With
well studied afectation, he paused from
time to time, as if to collect his thoughts,
gently pressing his temples the while,
seemingly to quiet his oyerworked and
troubled brain. Then, with increased
energy, he uttered the well-rounded
sentences which for days had been fixed
in his mind. Everything consider
ed, mis- speech was the greatest spec
linen of "the art which conceals art"
that has ever been displayed in this
country. During its delivery there was
but one moment when Mr.. Conkling
forgot himself. This was when, to give
greater emphasis to what he evidently
considered avery gem Of thought" he
pushed his heavy armchair like bat
tering-fam toward the pale and thought
full Senator Morton. That gentleman
retreated before the towering form and
mock heroic frown of his great antag-
onist. Seeing this, Mr.. Conkllng ex-
claimed in his most dramatic tone, 81
see that the Senator retreats before
what I say" eyes," replied Morton,
in his blunt, outspoken way, 81 will al
ways retreat as far as L can from such
false doctrine as that taught by the
gentleman from New York" For a
moment, but only for N oment, Conk-
ling was put out, and his frown was not
affected. He recovered his self-pos-
session in second, however, and but
few persons noticed that he had been
disconnected. His wonderful self-con-
troll and ability to act q part he did not
feel made 1t seem as If he cared moth
ing for the sharp answer referred to,
but from the moment It's was given un-
til the end he was careful 10 make no
further allusion to Mr.. Morton.
The Terrible Famine in India.
Calcutta Telegram to the London Times.