Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-22
SENATORIAL DIGNITY.
Deliberate Speech and County Bitter

ness.
ATE-ru cosr1Asr IN rHR HousE-Tn
onAcEyut AfroArs o. HDxuNDs AND VANCE
ornxI KEN DRlArxss.
There il none Of that cut and slash in the
Senate that appears in the House debates.
They abuse each other In the most decorous
and courteous manner possible. The heated
controversy over the tariff the distinguished
Senators are now engaged in furnishes a
unique and interesting entertainment TO the
galleries. The contrast between IL and the
similar controversy in the House last session 10
striking. II 10 conducted in the most calm
and placid manner. and the shsrpest retorts
and most bitter assaults are made in language
Of the courtier, classic in its purity. evil the
Senator pardon ms?" one Of the distinguished
disputants will say in . sweetened tone, bowling
attention 10 his antagonist.
"Will the Senator yield?' asks the chair.
with pleasure" the other replies, and the
first proceeds: IF the Senator will pardon
me, the statement be has Just made 20 posi-
lively ID not Ut all true. Il IL entirely without
foundation: Though We have the distin-
out OF harmony with the facts"
Thus they interrupt and deny each others
statements. During the famous debate in the
House either some one was reading long
speech TO which no one paid the least atten-
ton or else there was hubbub OF excitement.
During the hve-rninute debate fifty men would
at times be trying to talk at once; the Speaker
was not addressed, no permission was asked
for an interruption, and members were taken
from the floor whether they liked it or not.
weigh his words when he wanted to contradict
the statement Of another. Contradictions and
charges were hurled in confusion at the heads
Of the disputants and often fists were shaken
in the air menacingly.
IN TIE SENATE
the debate Il Is pungent and the points as we'll
made. The deliberation and the close regard
for Formally gives emphasis to the taunts and
sarcasm. and renders effective the repartee.
Some Of the keenest wit 10 displayed in this de-
bate, and the point is never lost in confusion.
While the whole Senate may be present the
contest II between q few men on each side
The recognized quality Of q good debater Is
! complete mastery over self. The man who be-
comes too earnest or shows excitement is at
once 1T q disadvantage.
THE SENATOR FROM VERMONT.
Mr.. Edmunds cuts classic figure in this con-
test. There 10 q dignity and self-contaiped
grace In his bearing, and q calm, courteous
bitterness in his deliberate speech. There is
an affability in his most cruel thrusts. and he
smiles amiably upon his victim % he withdraws
his keen blade. His dignified and distinguished
appearance COMFORTS 90 well with his speech.
His humor IL subtle and elegant, and he is as
merciless a. he is polite. He never shows any
undue haste or exaggerated earnestness The
tits between him and Mr.. Vance furnish . de-
hghtful entertainment to an audience Of deli
cate perception.
embarrassing question Of his southern col
league-one he appeared not prepared to an
swer-the latter replied by asking another, '.as
you do in New England" Then there was de-
lay, and the Senator from North Carolina for
got the terms Of the question.
IF the Senator will have the kindness" he
said. Ito ask his question, az IL has escaped me-
will try TO answer him."
II do not know but that the question has
escaped the Senator" was Mr.. Edmunds'
prompt retort. Il thought the Senator wished
to escape the question
Again, in the same debate, Mr.. Edrnunds
apoiogized for an interruption. II thought
he said, my honorable friend had finished I"
Mr.. Vance, who felt that he had been giving
his antagonist the worst Of the discussion, re-
piled sts little PomPously: Il have no doubt the
II rather think do" Mr.. Edmunds replied,
with a slow. apologize WEAKNESS Of express
sion.
Again, the North Carolina Senator recited
series OF economical disturbances, winding up
gift Of good, hard common sense would be
satisfied with it. "That would be true Mr.
President" replied Mr.. Edmunds, "if it were
true, but unhappily it is not true"
Meanwhile the argument is being conducted
with the most determined antagonism, but
always in that calm, deliberate tone, the most
careful courtesy being shown by each to the
other. The graceful smile, the polite selection
Of words, the bow Of the head and wave of
the hand-sll add to the effectiveness Of the
retorts.
OTHER DTBArERs.
The laugh il not always with the distin-
guished New Highlander. Mr.. Vance, though
not possessing that GOODNESS peculiar to Mr..
Edmunds, is q gifted debater. not lacking in
ready retort himself, and replying often to
those witty sallies with equally telling logic
He is little more pOnderOus than Mr.. Ed
munds and has not that delicate bantering way
about him that is 20 marked in the other He is
a student and a man OF culture, and is gener-
ally ranked with MIR. Beck as the best informed
OF the democrats on the tariff question. He
and Reagan, with the eloquent and earnest Mr.
Vest, have to stand the brunt of the attack by
such men as Edmunds, Sherman, Allison, Al
drich and Hiscock. and their antagonists have
the advantage of better average support in
the ranks behind them.
Mr.. REAGAN
is at better advantage in the Senate debate
than he was in the House, where the peculiar
characteristics Of his voice made il difficult for
him to be heard amid the confusion He il
heavy in his style, seldom indulging in the
subtle and delicate humors. He hammers out
hard logic ct the forge Of thought. He as
sembles facts and YIELDS them together for his
chain OF argument. It may be a log chain
when finished, but it is suited for the purpose
for which it was designed. He still retains his
habit OF tearing up bits Of paper and scattering
them about his desk. While listening to the
debate he 10 generally occupied in this way,
apparently deep in thought. When his ideas
are well linked together he brushes the scraps
Of paper from his lap with backward gesture
OF the hand, a. pie woman brushes crumbs
from her apron, and enters into the debate
without any preliminary flourish.
Mr.. VEST
enters into the fray with more energy and less
calmness than the others; he cares less for
formality. and will not tolerate trifins. He Ia
holder, more positive, and even more venture
some than the rest. His antagonists are less
inclined TO interrupt him. Ingalls, might do
this, and then there would be the sharp flash
Of flint and steel Al he stands behind his
desk, with his chest swelled out and his head
his broad shoulders, his attitude conveys a
challenge. But he is always courteous and
ready to yield TO interruption, though the
questioner may not always find satisfaction in
the reply.
Nh. SHERMAN
attaches less importance to formality than does
Mr.. Edmunds. He never resorts to it for effect.
He il courteous 10 his cO1lea Ques in debate ana