Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-12-12

qulcKness OF thought, OF instantaneous
reasoning, the lntuitive recognition of
situation and of what it requires from
speaker-gifts which Blaine possesses
in such remarkable degree,-these are
absolutely necessary. Besides speak
er should at least have a fair knowledge
of parliamentary law and have the rules
and presidents of the House at the tip
of his tongue. These rules and prece-
dents cannot be mastered as the rules of |
grammar can be. They must be learn
cd by long experience. Many mistakes
make the best teacher. Keifer last WIN
ter attempted two or three times to take
part in parliamentary wrestle and in
every instance he was sadly worsted.
The man who should have been selected,
if merit deserved to be so honored, is
Kasson, and there is not member of
| the House on either side who knows
anything about it, who does not admit
it. The stalwarts light have gone to
Kasson instead of Keifer, had it not
been rumore1 that Kasson was Blaine's
choice. By and by the time will come
when Randall and Cox and Carlisle
will make trouble for Keifer.
There are two or three men who
aspire to be the leader of the House.
Two Of these members have some quail
fications for the place; one of them has
none. Mr.. Kasson will be respected.
When he speaks he will be sure of hav-
ing listeners. He will, whether recog-
nized as the leader of the House or not,
WELD very large influence. He is I'M
derstood to have come back filled with
large ambitions to make for himself a
record, perhaps more as statesman
than as leader. Kasson believes that
this is to be largely business Congress.
= Aside from the contested election cases
he does not see how any measure of a
very partisan nature can be brought to
issue. at least at this session. He be-
lieves that the tariff question is going
to assert itself, but that it will cause
, more dissension on the other side of the
House than it will on the republican
side. Kasson. therefore, expects to
take an active part in legislation,
Mr.. Robson also desires to be recog-
nized as leader. He is not without
r some Just claims for such recognition
for man so beefy in appearance and
of SO many physical indications of be.
ing high liver-indications which are
said to belle him. He is man of con-
u siderable quickness of thought, good
;. speaker, rather convincing in his logic
e. although at times little too much O
t, the special pleader; has some knowledg,
G. of parliamentary law, considerable tact
and, moreover. has won a good deal o
h. popularity. He will unquestionably b.
10 very prominent on the floor. 1t i
doubtful whether he makes any mark a
a legislator. The excitement of tn
floor, the inspiration which men of hi
mold get from such surroundings as b
- finds there, the necessity for quic
- repartee, and for the mental activit
- which give-and-take debate requires
- make Mr.. Robson more at home on th
~ floor and more influential there than h
~ could possibly be in the committeeman
- where the legislation is really shaped.
" The third aspirant for the post G
- leader will never secure that honor
% refer to Representative Dudley G. Hasl
- ell of the Lawrence district in Kansas
10 Haskell is man of too much ability |
49, make himself ridiculous. He is stl
:. dent, is regarded as an honest man, d
cidedly bright, very quick to see poll
= and to know how to make the best u
" of 1t, equally rapid in discerning ii
- motives of the other side, and equal
700 fertile in resources for meeting the
motives. He is fairly good speake
r but he lacks just the one quality ne
~ essary to fit him for leadership. I
~. Wv has no more personal magnetism abo
Us him than George F. Hoar. He attrac
nobody and repels good many, ;
though unintentionally. He does VIII
50 good leader never does, he sometim
bores the House, and be is utterly lac
- ing in tact.
These three men will be conspicuo
on the republican side during this St
w. sion, but unless some new man develo
les the talents which have not been Sc
less on the republican side since Blaine a
ess. Garfield left the chamber, the repub
oers cans are going to be sadly overmatch
ma in leadership. Randall, Sunset c
sion and Carlisle make a very powerful TT
ing They supplement each other admiral
ar's They are all away beyond the breath
The scandal. Randall and Cox by years
of experience in the House are not OF
en- familiar with all the winding ways
the parliamentary law and the crooked ns