New-York tribune., 1886-03-08
Mr. EDMUEDSS CHARACTERISTICS.
HIS STRENGTH AND HIS WEAKNESS-WASE-
INGTON GOSSIP.

|
INGTON GOSSIP.
| rrpcv THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or TIE TRIBUNE
| WASHINGTON, .iarch Tn the debate on
the right to inspect all papers on file in the
| Deuartments, which begins tomorrow, Mr.. Edmunds
| will lead the Republican forces IL Will DO one OF the
opportunities OF his life and 1t is expected that he will
improve it by showing how good Republican he can be
when he wants lie has devoted the last fow weeks
TO thoroug gh study OF the subject, and. doubt has
mastered IT. lie has consulted every book, looked uI
every authority and examined every case
or precedent which in any way could
throw additional light upon the subject OF
dispute between President and the Senate. This is
Characteristic of Mr. Edmunds He does not take ac
tive part in general debate: when he does lie shows at
familiarity with the subject under discussion by
short ncslve in which he elucdates point
point the relevant from the rreeVaniand
quickly reaches the merits OF the issue. II this which
makes Mr.. Ednunds such an effective speaker While
others employ all the known arts of oratOry he is
with stating his case III businesslke, matteror-
fact way His rarely raised above the ordinary
conversational tone He never gesculates. with one
hand in lis pocket the other resting on the desk before
him. he quite a. effective and indeed n great
deal more so. than Senators who saw the
air pound their desks and strut and down the aiSles
OF the Chamber. Yet with all tho outward signs OF
cOmpOsure ad Indifference 10 bis surroundings there IL
times In the Vermont Senator an Incredible amount
OF irascbiity and PASSION In executive sessions es-
~, l
his brother senators for their forbeardncc He has
way of dropping bitter ami causic remarks in manner
that goads his enemies to despair and seems to Afford
him much the amusement that boy derives from
torurng whep For man Of his experience in leg
Isalve body he displays a strange mpaence of contra
dicton. Every who knows him Is persuaded that
he is the Incarnation OF great qualities; in fact so
firmly is lie himself persuaded OF tins that
he is incapable OF believing that any qualities reside
in him which are not great 1t Is difficult, how'
ever brother Senators to keep their temper when
he brushes aside in the course OF an argument in
which they happen differ from him without the least
ceremony without any attempt on his part to conceal
poor opinion that he entcriains for them These
are the moments when they wish him almost anywhere
else except Senate Chamber There are only TOO
many of these moments.
have it excellent authority that every word Of the
Presidents IN regard 10 the papers was written
by him. Neither Mr.. Bayard any other member OF
the Cabinet had hand It, Tbs would seem TO settle
the authorship of the expression "innocuous dcsuctude
which bids fair 10 become famous. 1t Is already on
everybodys lips and has made only the Senate but
also the Supreme Court OF the United States smile.
The "phys.cal wreck" at the head OF tho Pension
Oice not satisfied with violating the law by allowing
the files OF MS ire lu to be removed from thcr
proper place and irresponsible people in order
that partisan purpose might 10 al
yanced thereby. Las distinguished himself anew
by issuing order as UNJUST As II j.
v.
vacation two and Oue-a days each month, but thdt
anticipate tins vacation That i, II "a clerk
TAXI his annual leave ~ july hc cannot De away
more than fifteen days, in August seventeen and one
half days ana wnile on tho lot OF December he
Will be entitled 10 thirty days leave provided that hc
has been absent from his desk during
the eleven months previous. Ibs decision was made
upon the application OF a Young woman VINO Is con
simptiye ana wants TO spcnd the month Of March IN
FlOriIa escape the raw weather ana damp winds o
tins climate she applied for her annual leave bus was
told she wOdd be entitled 10 only uvc days under
rule II she waited unil the cnh O March she
could away days aud half The COuiniS-phcr
Aods that granted thirty days leave now and
should resign, die get married at ;he end ~ thht
leave the Government would he robbed Of the value 81"
her services Tor twenty-five days. atd II his business
TO protect the Government from robbery. VIII strike
most people that who draws from the Treasury a
pension higher than that paldto any other man ia TINS
country who obtained his pension upOu the plea ihdt
lie was "A physical wreck" incapable OF any effort
aud simply destroyed - who continues 10 draw his
pension spite OF the fact that he Is able 10 earn 5000
a year Government service, Is EtrGlnug at guaL
aud WalowinE a camel when he talks OF protecting
tue Government from robbery