The Portland daily press., 1888-07-14
WASHINGTON.
a cIoshier's Speech and other Topics

WASHINGTON, July 13.-Mr. Leopold
Morse of Boston is one of the best looking
men in the House, but he is not an orator in
the fullest sense of the word. Probably,
knowing this, he never makes a speech ex-
cept upon the subject of free wool. When
Mr.. Morse represented a Hub district in a
former Congress, he delivered pantomime
speech, which was repeated yesterday by
special request, and he met with gratifying
success. Several impolite colleagues of the
good-natured Bayarian who sells all wool
suits at $40 each, as advertised by Major Nc
Kinley, attempted to embarrass his perform
ance yesterday by guying him, but they
were disappointed. The House derived
much enjoyment from Mr.. Morse's speech.
although they could not hear a word of it.
Ihe orator stood at desk on the front row.
His manuscript rested upon the desk, and by
Its side stood a glass of water. Mr.. Morse
looked radiant in stylish suit of dark gray
goods, thin and cool. and which was evident
ly custom made. In his button-hoe was
red rose, and about his neck white silk
four-in-hand scarf. He read his carefully
prepared argument in favor of free wool in
such a low tone of voice that not sound
merous gestures, There would have been no
indication at all that he was talking. Mem
bers crowded about him so closly that once
when he struck out in forcible gesture of
emphasis, he hit brother member in the
nose Nothing daunted, he kept right on.
although had his lungs been as strong as Pig
Iron Kelley's his tones would have been
drowned in the applause that followed his
unintentional pugilism. As the crowd of
members began to thicken about Mr.. Morse,
ne grew somewhat confused, and occasional
ly was led to lift his finger from the page
and thereby lose the thread of his argument.
lie would quickly recover from these lapses,
however, and go on with his silent speech.
Several would-be humorists played the old
trick of arising to ask the Chair If there was
any business before the House, and John H.
ketchum, who never speaks above whisper
himself, said that the Beacon street repre-
sentative was talking loud enough for any
body Mr.. Morse read and gesticuated for
an hour to the great edifcation and amuse-
ment of the members who sat next to him.
All the orators took it for granted that it
was good speech, and Mr.. Morse afterward
assured them that their conclusions were
correct. When he finished he retired to the
cloak room and received the mock congratu-
latlons Of the members, both Democrats and
Republicans.
Maine Appropriations.
The conferees on the river and harbor bill
have come to an agreement on about all the
items in the bill. The Maine items are
agreed to and remain as fixed by the Senate,
Portland harbor receiving $4,000; Back
Bay, $4,000; breakwater at Mount Desert,
$4,000; Penobscot river, $50, 900, and Kenne
bee river, $4,000. The Maine items have
been increased by the Senate committee, in
round numbers, 100000, which is the least
amount in each case that in the opinion of
the engineers can proftably be expended
during the next fiscal year. The total amount
appropriated for Maine rivers and harbors.
to be expended during the next year, is $685.
800. Fears are entertained in some quarters
that the president will veto the bill, because
of the unusually large amount appropriated
in it. AS finally agreed upon, the bill will
100000 larger than any bill Of the kind here
tofore passed. A Democratic Senator who
has seen the President ON the subject, tells
a. correspondent that he will sign any
river and harbor bill presented to him this
year, that is under $25, 900, and is fair
ly clean bill in its allotments. As the pres
ent bill really covers three years appropri-
ations, it cannot be regarded as exorbitant.
Minister Lothrop Resigns.
Hon. g, V. N. Lothrop, United States
Minister to Russia, has sent his positive res
ignation to the State department 1t will be
accepted as soon as man to take his place
can be found. 1t has once before been re-
ported that Lothrop would forward his res
ignation. The reason then given was that he
found the temperature too severe for him.
Mr., Lothrop has aged considerably. His
sons in Detroit confirm the story In fact
the previous report of Mr. Lothrop's inten-
tion has come true, and the investigation at
the State Department has led to new belief
that Judge Lambert Tree, Minister to Bel
GUM, has not got his idea of resignation out
of his head yet.
The Pension List.
The following Maine pensions have been
granted
INVALID.
L. Reynolds Monroe
j. ID. Moon, navy, West Sullivan.
Llbbie K. Worthen, East Mercer.
G. G. Fogg, East Newport.
Ira Hodges, China.
Thomas nj. Chase, Augusta.
Jonathan l. Handy, Wilton.
James ID. Pease. Sac0.
Charles +. Ward, navy, Saco.
Charles b. Harmon, South Norridgewock
Samuel b. Kneeand, Spragne's Mills.
Charles +. Frost, Oakland.
REISSUE.
James L. b. Young Camden.
Ezekiel Kicker Dexter.
l.. f. Leland, Calais.