Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-28
From the Albany journal.
Numbers Against Brains.


With the opening of the extra session.
the Senate passes under the contol of a
democratic majority. That is, in mere
numbers the democrats will count more
than the republicans. But if strength be
measured by force of intellect rather than
by the show of hands-and that is what
tells in the long run-the republicans will
far outweigh the democrats. The ability,
alertness, experience and skill of the mi
of the majority.
On the democratic side Mr.. Thurman
and Mr.. Bayard are the only men who
really loom up above the common aver
age. Mr.. Pendleton will attain fair rank
but his service in the House does not war
rant the expectation that he will cut a
large figure. Mr.. Lamar probably stands
at the head of the Southern Senators, and
he is ready in fluent and florid speech but
nothing which he has done bears the mark
of any great intellectual bredth or supe-
riority. Ben. Hill has been accounted in
some quarters man of ability, but it
would be hard to find anything in his ca
reer to justify the praise. To most observ-
ers his hayward performances and i'll
judged outbursts seem like series of
blunders. When we have passed these
few. we have named all who would be
considered in any estimate OF representa-
tive men. The others are commonplace,
and all of these, save the first two, are lit
tie more. Mr.. Thurman is man of real
Intellectual strength. He is robust
thinker and direct vigorous debater.
But the Presidential maggot which has
taken possession of his head has seemed
to unseat his reason; and the spectacle he
has presented for the last three years of
abiuring all his old professions and pan
dering to the worst impulses of his party
is pitiable. Mr. Bayard is man of less
native force than Mr. Thurman but of
more stability and character. He is bv no
means great, but his culture and training
lift him above the democratic level.
Turning to the other side the remarka-
BILE group composed of Senators Conkling.
Blaine. Edmunds and Carpenter combines
more talent and resource. than all of the
democratic ranks put together Mr.. Ed
munds' penetration aud legal acumeri, his
pitiless logic and his unfolding tenacity
are marvellous. The unlucky opponent
who falls into his hands is sure of a severe
punishment Mr. Blane's dash and deX-
terity, his quick grasp Of questions and his
consummate art of putting things render
him formidable antagonist Mr.. Car
penter's great forensic power and elo-
quence would make him shine in any body
MIR. Conklng's rare intellectual equip
ment, the variety and range of his re-
sources, his mastery Of the questions he
fore Congress, his fertility and readiness,
his acknowledged superiority in debate.
all unite to place him above any man on
the other side.
Though these four clearly outsbine fine
rest. there are others of real ability. Mr..
Hoar is good thinker and debater. Gov.
Booth would be a man of mark if his in
dustry and ambition were equal to his tai
ent. Mr.. Anthony has great pariamenta-
~ aptitude, and in his younger DAYS could
hold his own in any match But without
looking beyond, it is plain enough that in
anv intellectual contest the republicans
will be stronger than their opponents.