Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1883-12-20
&jirgiuia gFse sere5s.
", ". u. GALLAHER, Editor.
Urn, Jefferson County, Wess "a
December 20. 1883.
Speaker Carlisle.

John G.. Carlisle, Of Kentucky, is very
different type of man from Nr. Randall
Mr.. Carlisle confesscdly is the strongest
man in debate upon the Democratic side
lie is an orator and loeician, neither OF
which Mr. Randall is. Mr.. Carlisle is a
later conner in Congress than either Mr..
Randall or Mr.. Cox. Mr. Cox patronizing-
ly speaks Of him as the young man" Mr..
Carlisle speedily put himself at the front Of
parliamentary dcbaters, and none has yet a.
risen in the Democratic ranks to be his
peer. NJ. Carlisle is younger than Mr..
Randall, having not &c. reached fifty, and
he has been in Congress but three terms.
The frst Congress he devoted himself ap-
parently to becoming familiar with the
methods and usages of the body, as Mr..
Robinson, of Massachusetts, did, and he
was very little heard of. In the second
session his notable ability "a a lawyer, and
his skill as a dcbater, soon brought him in
to prominence. twas speedily discovered
that he was political student, and that,
when he rose to speak he rose because he
had something to say, and knew how to say
it well In speeches upon constitutional
law he showed great familiarity with his
country's history, and soon took the leader
ship in discussions of that sort from Mr..
Randolph Tucker of Virginia, who as q
political doctriaGire gcnerallyTose whenever
IN old-time debate was h.eatened, with
the Constitution on his shoulders. i
striking characteristic of Ny. Carlisie's
method is lis fairness in debate. Although
an earnest nsrtisan, his opponents never
accuse him of mis;ating their position, Or
of being unwilling 10 accord them an oppor-
tunity to reply. Il is speeches from that
time upon Constitutional and political
questions and the Tariff have formed 4 sort
Of textbook for young Democratic orators.
Mr.. Carlisle has come to be regatded as 4
safe pilot for his party in time Of storm,
and as the man to be put forward to cope
with the great Republican leaders. Mr.
Carlisle is about six feet high, with a slight
stoop in his shoulders, and also has his face
smooth shavcn. He dresses in black, cut in
old conventional style, and generally wears
a black silk hat, which is seldom brushed.
There is always a palIor about his face
which creates the imprcssies that he is an
invalid or a sufferer from pain. He has not
the physique Of Mr.. Randall, but appears
generally in good health. lie has few
magnetic" qualities. He is studious and
retiring in his habits, and one can well be-
believe him when he says that he has re-
sorted to none of the tricks of wire-pulling
so often characteristic of Speakership cam
paicns. Whatever work of that sort bas
been done has been through his friends
Mr.. Carlisle is a thorough student is alway=
at his books. lie has been accused OF
being toe much devoted to them to pay the
proper attention to the details presumed to
be necessary in 4 canvass. In private life
he is one of the most genial Of men, and has
The rare Kentucky art ofste=y telling. Mr.
Carlisle has no house in Washington. Ee
has lived for seven years in the same apart
ments at the Riggs Aosse, which looks out
upon the Capitol lie has modest com
potency and a large income from his pro
| fessional practice a. s lawyer.-Ercha"ge.