National Republican., 1883-02-21
THE PREACHER CONGRESSMAN.
The Oath Tie made that He Would slt I'm
Congress-IIis Views ON the Present Adj
Dlintstration.


Congress-IIis Views on the Present Adj
Binistrstion.
Chicago Herald.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.--Whilc J. Hyatt
Smith, tho Brooklyn minister, who was
elected to congress two years ago, docs not
talk much in the house, he is always good for
an interview. He talks freely and fearlessly,
and usually says something good. He votes
generally with the republican party, but docs
not slavishly follow its desires or plans. His
recent structures on the policy Of both parties
In regard to the tariff bills have attracted
wide attention, Mr. Smiths term expires
with this congress. The Herald correspondent
met him tonight and asked his views Of
political life In Washington. The CONVERSE
tion ran rs follows:
How do you like congressional li(cT
ut is something Of change from my
former experience, replied Mr. Smith. II
had no conscientious scruplcs in going from
the church to the house of representatives..
If IL is n clergymans duty to pray for his
country, II is his privilege TO serve his coun-
try" ,.
"Surprisc has been expressed that neither
during the last, nor so far this session, your
voice has been heard, except in voting said
your correspondent"
81 learned to talk in the Boys Debating
bOCltIN IN IelTOlI. nc lult AIsOn DNIllu-
game and myself used to exercise ourselves
that way, and in addition to the society ex-
perience, we often practiced oratory in the
woods, and our audience, the trees, meanwhile
stood rooted TO the ground We swOro on
the Bible that we would go to congress. l
have not made n speech in congress. may,
in q weak moment, be betrayed into
the folly of haranguc on the floor. IL was
q short lesson for me to learn that the real
work was in the committee room and by per-
sonal contact with tho members. The grand
old days of Webster, Clay Calhoun, and many
other mighty men have passed away. This
Is prominently the newspaper age, and
speech making, except for pastimc, has largely
taken its place as brilliant paragraph in
history, both in England aud America. The
press has usurped the grandeur of the forum,
and circumscribcd greatly the prerogative of
the pulpit 1t Is significant and suggestive
fact that the Bible has book entitled "The
Acts of the Apostles" Ihave seen no need of
o speech, and ! have no vanity TO crafty in
that direction. Specchmakers are the bane of
congress. They squandor, for cheap ambi-
tion, time which should be devoted to the iu-
terests of the nation. Six months Of legislation
could be condensed into two If stump oratory
were banished from the halls of congress-
Extensive speechmaking is as much out of
place to-day in congress as IL would be in the
deliberations of board of bank or railway
ulltNlOlss lIuob hcoSloh' w biiNhN WIN ioA
many months, / got $4,000 appropriated for
federal buildings for Brooklyn, for which my
grand city had worked and waited for four
teen years-as long rs the patriarch served
for both his wives. Then i did good side
work in getting 100000 pension money for the
poor soldiers and their families, That satis-
iies my present ambition for congressional
oloquence. have learned much in the two
years of my political life of the inside and
outside of congress and Washington, which |
intend to tell the people in lecture, which L
shall call What Know About Politics; or,
ClCrgyman's Experience in Congress-"
Arc you in sympathy with the admins
trationn
"Yes, as far as IL is right. Chester A.
Arthur is good, faithfulpresident. believe
he conscientiously endeavors to discharge
the high duties of his great Office for the
welfare of the nation, irrespective of party.
OF course he is blamed. Every blunder of tho
republican party land 1t has made many fatal
ones) Is laid at his door. He Is like pastor
of church. Any fault of a member Is con-
sidered largely the sin of the pastor His
message was an able state paper, broad, manly
business-like. With IL he can 90 to the people,
and in my humble Judgment, receive their
Endorsement, irrespective of rigid party lines.
Elected by the people, / came to Washington,
bringing with me the casting vote, an old line.
whig, abolitionist, and n republican. j cast
it for the republicans, and without bargain or
counsel / took my stand at the side of the
President in the organization of the house. l
stand there to-day, and / will continue to do
so as long as Mr.. Arthur ful6lls the sacred
trust so strangely and mysteriously committed
to his hands. Gods providence suddenly
thrust upon him mighty responsibility,
which the nation knows was none of his seek
ing. The nation should sustain him for tho
nations sake in every measure which has for
its aim and object the interest of the people,"
"What do you think of the proposed tariff"
al will vote for it if the orators of congress
will give me chance. Immediate action is
needed to relieve vast commercial interests
from this period of suspense am n protec-
ZIONIST. The free labor of America must be
protected from the pauper labor of Europe.
IL does not go far enough in the reduction of
taxation. Seventy-hve millions ought to be
taken of the taxes of the people. Half loaf
is better than none, and If my friends, the
democrats in the house, saw their own politi-
cal interests us do they would not obstruct
its passage. The people in 1854 will hold
this congress to n severe responsibility. i am
in favor of the abolition of the internal rev.
enue, except the taxes on whisky and tobacco.
II is an outrage to carry war tax eighteen
years in time of peace"
"Will you return TO the pulpit after the
close of cOngressW
al never left it. The pulpit to me is where
! can do most for God and humanity. /
preach with my voice about every Sabbath in
Washington, and every week day by my vote
In ~