New-York tribune., 1879-04-24
A STRONG SPEECH BY MR. robson.
TIE EX-sECRETARY GRANTED AN EXTRA HOUR OF
TINE, AND LISTENED TO WITH GREAT AlIEN-
TON.

lion.
tBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUHBl
WASHINGTON, April 23.-The House of Repre-
sentatives could pay no higher compliment to one OF
its members than il accorded TO exSecretary Robe
son to-day, when by unanimous consent 1t allowed
him to occupy the floor full hour after the time al
otted him by the rules had expired, and that too at
a stage of the present debate when at least seventy
five Representatives anxious to speak, while not
more than ten of them can possibly be heard.
No man who has entered Congress within the past
ten years has in the first five weeks of his service
won the respect and good win of his colleagues TO
an equal extent with Mr. Robeson and no other
new member, no matter what his talents may be,
has taken his place early in his career i'll the very
front rank as a constitutional lawyer and strong
dobater. Mr.. Robson came to Congress with
prejudice against him, justly or unjustly formed
that would have been a heavy weight for most men
to carry, and which few could have so easily
thrown off. His connection with the Adminstra-
tion of President Grant it was supposed would
ally him with that element of the Republican party
that looks with longing eyes to the return OF that
chieftain to the head Of affairs, and would
lead him on every occasion that offered
to speak in defence of that management
Of the Executive Department of the Gov
ernment for which he was IN part responsible,
and which had been attacked with such fury III the
last and the preceding Congress. Mr.. Robeson has
disappointed both his political friends and op-
ponents, the latter because he seems to have
brought mono of the bitterness Of past political con-
troversles into Congress with him, and both by the
remarkable and unsuspected ability which he has
shown in dealing with great public questions.
The universal verdict is that the speech made
by the exSecretaTy to-day one of the strongest
that has been delivered in either house of Congress
since tie extra session began. 1t was upon the su-
premacy of the National power as opposed 70 the
doctrine of State rights. The Democrats, without
exception, look upOn 1t as tho ono argument OF all
that have been advanced thatnust DO met, and II
possible answered.
Mr.. Robeson gains the good will of his audience
In the outset of his speeches 10y his uniform cour-
tesy and fairness He does not seek to STIR up a
partisan spirit and carry his points by appealing 10
the pride or prejudice the feelings or sentiments OF
those who listen but he strives to convince by
honest straig aightforwaTd argument, accepting what
ever conclusions his logic leads him TO and appeal
ing to others to do tho same The result OF his
method is that he IS listened to by the strongest
men of the Democratic side as well as by the he
publicaus and both are equally willing and anX-
ious TO hear him through, even though the time he
occupies is TO be deducted from their own.
During the progress of the speech to-day, Messrs.
Tucker and Carlisle took cOpiOus notes and held
frequent consultations apparently in regard TO the
nature of the reply that should be made.