The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-04-28
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
from our 0son Correspondent
Sketches Of Orators an the House of
Representatives. OT0tOTjc0l status Of
theSe1sdte.--Polgg c0unttnGnced.
Nv ASHINGTON

| Of the 292 members of the House of
Representatives, not more than doz-
en- can properly be called orators:
perhaps some of this number would
not bear exact criticism. If the question
be asked what member stands first in
rank as an orator, probably large
majority of those familiar with the
speakers in the House would name G.
G. Williams, of Wisconsin. The repu-
tation of that gentleman as public
speaker has been so often referred to
in newspaper correspondence it is UNI
necessary to repeat what has been
said. If Mr.. Williams applied himself
to the study of elocution, as did Rufus
Choate, Edward Everett, and others of
a former period, he would achieve a
national reputation for oratory as dis
! tinguished as theirs.
Burrows. Of Michigan, is a graceful
speaker; his articulation is distinct,
and his action indicates oratorical train
ing. He has strong physical frame,
good voice. and an agreeable presence.
The members on the floor of the
House and spectators in the galleries
are intent when he makes speech.
Reed, of Maine, stands high as a
speaker; his characteristics are force,
directness and power. He is above the
medium size, and his gesticulatiCn is
well-timed. He has a few defects for
which he is blameable, for the reason
they might be obyiated by proper
painstaking.
Kasson, of Iowa, is Il speaker to
whom it is pleasing to listen. He EN-
ploys choice language, frequently pol
ished and classical. His attitudes and
gestures are not always the most grace
full, but often careless. There is not q
more active member of the House
than .Kasson.
Haskell, of Kansas, is vigorous de-
batter, always having on hand a good
supply of facts to draw upon. His
style of speaking is what some call
western, by which is meant much ear
nestness and vehemence of manner.
Horn, of Michigan, is the prince of
humorists on the Republican side of
the House. Give him chance when a
storm of passion RACES, and in a brief
time he can bring the House to good
temper. When he really grasps an is
sue in debate he brings his power of
| logical reasoning to bear with force.
Mr.. Horr has many essential elements
of an orator.
Rice, of Massachusetts, is a scholarly
gentleman, and forcible speaker; has
a good voice, except slight twang, pc
culiar to some New Englanders. He
wastes no words for mere. ornament,
but comes at once to the point. His
manner in speaking is rather agreeable.
Humphrey, of Wisconsin, is pleas
ant speaker. He never rushes into de-
bate for notoriety, nor does he speak
unless he has something instructive to
say. When he rises to speak he is al
ways listened to with attention, which
is compliment very many members
never get.
Cox, OF New York, Familiarity called
Sunset Cox, is a man little in stature
but has a large brain, and voice of
much power. He is the humorist OH the
Democratic side of the House. as Horn
is on the Republican side. Cox, as a
public speaker, excels in the pathetic
as we'll as in the humorous. His
speeches on memorial occasions have
been specimens of elegant language
and oratorical delivery.
Carlisle, of Kentucky. came on the
stage of public life with a common
school education, but he is surpassed
by but few members in the use of pol
ished language and finely-rounded
periods. He would readily be taken
for a carefully educated gentleman
and a graduate of one of the higher in
situations of learning. His style and
manner of delivery are pleasing.
Randolph Tucker, of Virginia, is ac-
corded the reputation of a powerful
speaker. He is probably the most
brilliant orator III Congress from the
South. Before and during the war he
was an unmitigated rebel, and his elo-
quence was then expended in the at
tempt to rend the Union into frag
ments. The force of circumstances
led him to accept the situation, and he
is now laboring to repair the damage
done the South by the rebellion.
ORAToRY IN THE UNITED STATES
SENATE.
Fifty years ago the u. 5. Senate was
called the most statesmanlike and elo-
quent body of lawmakers in the world.
The orators who were then the pride of
the nation will live in history while the
Republic endures. The fame impart-
ed to the British Parliament for it's
magnificent oratory in former age by
the names of Chatham, Pitt, Brough-
am, and others of a like reputation,
was in like manner impaired to our
American Congress by the names of
| Webster. Clay, Haine, Everett, Choate,
and others cotemporary with them.
Where are the like of these grand ora
tors i'll the present United States Sen
ate? Where are the Senators who hold
spellbound, in expressive silence, the
crowded halls? Who stir the people
with patriotic fire, or move them with
emotions. as the winds sway the trees
of the forest? Their voices are no
longer heard in the Senate Chamber of
the National Capital; they have pass
ed away, and none have come to fill
their places. Carpenter, Conkling and
| 1JldluC ClOOCu Ou6 Cll0 1CuludilU VI lIllS
class when they left the Senate, and
these were lesser lights, in the true
meaning of oratory, than those who
had preceded them.
1t is claimed there is as much talent
and legislative ability in the Senate
now as in former times. This may be
true. but, whether true or not, does not
meet the subject of inquiry.
With this number of the TELEGRAPH
the readers will have rest on the
subject of Congressional oratory.
THE PARTY THAT VOTES ON THE SIDE
OF IMMORTALITY.
Will some one rise to explain how ii
happens that on questions of public
morality our Democratic friends in
Congress are nearly always found vot-
ing on the immoral side? G. @. Can
non, delegate in Congress from Utah
who has been occupying seat in the
House, has been declared not entitled
to hold it, by vote of 70 in favor to
1913 against. All of the seventy-nine
who voted to retain Cannon are Demo.
Gratis. Now who is Cannonp Let him
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