The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-01-05
Bill MORRISON.

! Dy virtue CT his embarrassing OF inc
Ways and Means Committee, Col. w. r..
Morrison, of Illinois, became the demo
cratic leader of the house, and first in
influence IN giving course and direction to
the legislation of congress, especially upon
ali economic questions. A man thus ex
allied, and whose position amounts to his
recognition as the abest man In the house,
deserves to be pen pictured and studied.
| We find the following photograph Of him
IN the not oyer-friendly New York Sun:
AS tor Mr.. Morrison himself he smiles
aud asks provoking questions. The new
leader of the House, by virtue of his place
on the Ways aud Means Committee, IL very
|aggravatlng at times through his good ma
turc. Just now his good nature Is beng
put to very severe Test, and when Mr..
springer accused him of ambition and
personal malice tOwsrd him, Mr.. Morrl-
sons self-control WAS put to great strain.
| He knows that be is being watched closely,
and his friends today said the knowledge
was not particularly comfortable. Mr..
Morrison Is man with an iron hand,
which he generally gloves with velvet
Born in the Mississippi, valley, he grew up
AMID the broad corn fields OF that immense
prairie, and learned his politics there.
Years of experience in Washington have
not changed his political methods, and
twice he has matched himself against men
who have been taught in the most cunning
schools aud has beaten them.
If there IS u politician pure and SIMPLE,
| . ,,t
that reach far INTO the fulhrc, that man IL
Morrison. II, as he walks down the ave-
nue., he is seen with his broad brlmmed
ielt hat drawn down over his brow, his
head dropped so that his eyes are not lift
ed from the pavement, hIs chin and lips,
concealed by a grlzsly gray beard, moving
IN spoken thought, his hands thrust with
absent mind into his coat pockets, and his
feet planted with gentle though firm tread,
then those who know him know that his
rind Is away off somewhere. and he IL
planning aud schemIng. He Will at such
times pass bis best friend with stony,
| distant stare and know him not. If, too,
IN the house he is found pacing back and
forth by the great log fire, his hair falling
where it listeth over his forehead and
cheeks, his hands concealed in his trous
crs pockets, and his eyes on the carpet,
! then those who Enow him smile slyly and
! say to each other, "Morrison's thinking
out some plan" Corner him aud question
him, and he Will drop apothegms, quaint
and lacOnlc enough to pass, as many have
| into current descriptions of men ana
things. Or he will stand with his feet
wide apart and bis head tossed back, and
make point with as funny story IA ever
came from the prarics of the West Frank
IN his dslikes, he Will put INTO one adjec-
tive all the little weaknesses OF those he
does not like, and will compress an argg.
ment into two words.
Yet when be takes the floor he coasts to
be the same man. If he has not prepared
speech aud committed il TO memory or
writing, he founders and flunks, and after
five minutes drops into his seat, dissp.
pointed, and, as he frankly says, disguised
with himself. The personal attractions
that he displays In private conversation
depart when he appears on the floor, and
his failure to say what he desires as he de
sires causes him sorrow and temporary
. despair But when b, handles men in
caucus or in canvass he is al his best, and
1t IS easy to see where his strength in his
home district lies.