The morning news., 1889-02-04

fine looking. His eyes are set wide apart,
and are full and pleasing. His manner IS
attractive, and his voice clear bue not res
olaut. His off-hani speeches are much
better than his written ones. The general
is incisive and con vincing in debate. There
i musical ripple to his argument. At
times he adorns it with apt quotations.
Anon he is pointed and pithy. His speeches
have all the diverse charms OF a landscape.
They are characterized by affability and
true politeness. Letter-w writers III the
House stop work while he is talking, and
story-tellers are silent. Gen. Collins is a
COrkonian, but the veriest Far-Downer
would listen in rapt attention to his elo-
quence. He is 45 years old. After a com
mon school education he began life es an
updolsterer. Afterward he read law at
Harvard. Before this he lad served two
terms in the Massachusetts House Of Rep
raseItatives, and two in the state Senate.
He has spenC three terms in congress and
retires because he Is not rich enough to en-
Joy the honor any longer. The general was
chairman Of the national convention that
renominated Grover Cleveland for Presi-
dent. -Four years ago his friends urged him
for cabinet position, and were deeply dis
appointed when William G. Endicott was
appointed in his stead.
The Hon. William Walter Phelps is an
other Chesterfield in debate. There seems
to be a public impression that Mr.. Pnalps is
dude, that he is effeminate in dispositio },
and not thoughtful in discussion. This is
prob bly, because be wears his hair banged,
like the forelock of a Canadian pony. Of
course, he dresses with extreme elegance,
and has what might seem 20 be an affected
pronunciation. His manners are the man
ners of a man who floats in the most select
society, but his speeches are elegant in die
tion and sparkle with ideas. He never
4 l. L.. H. l11r.a
who listen to him get full returns for their
attention. He fully understands our foreign
relations, and is one of the few men, who,
on the floor is competent to dissect them.
His orations are as equiSite as his dress.
They are polished to the last degree, but
are never polished too much. Mr.. Phelps
receives rough thrusts with pleasing dig
nifty, and never goes beyond the line of
courtesy in reply. There is nothing taunt-
ing in lis thread of argument, and he never
approaches the shadow of vulgarity. He
retires from the House at the end Of this
session. 1t is safe to say that no gentleman
will be more missed in congress. Mr..
Phelps is nearly so years old. He was born
in New York city. and graduated at Yale
and the Columbia College Law school In
1865 he refused a judgeship offered by Gov.
Fentou. He first appeared in congress in
1872, but was defeated by seven votes in an
effort to secure reelection. II 1881 he was
appointed United States minister to Vienna.
After serving three years he was returned
to congress and has remained thereever
since. If the repub leans had carried New
Jersey at the last election, he would have
probably been elected United States Sena-
tor.
So much for the courteous element in the
House of Representatives. There is not
much of it. but what there is merits passing
attention. AMOS J. CUMMINGS.