The morning news., 1889-02-17

the Noted specialists-some of the
Most Versatile Members of the
House.
Copyright 1881
WASHINGTON, Feb 16.-Few are the
versatile men in the House. Nearly every
member appears TO be devoted to specia
work. Much of this is undoubtedly owing
to membership in committoes, where special
subjects are under consideration Versa
tility is even choked by such studies. Mai.
Mckinley is member of the committee on
wavs and means; he never talks except
upon matters affecting the tariff or the
financial policy of the government. VIII
lam Walter Phelps is a shining light in the
committee on foreign affairs; he rarely
CRATES except when diplomatic relations are
uader discussion. John J. O'Neill is CHAIR
man of the committee on labor; touch the
nerve of labor and he will spring to the
floor like jumping jack. Gov. Dingley
of Maine fills niche in the committee on
merchant marine and fisheries; no man BIT
ter understands the interest of American
shipping. A squabble over army matter.
will pull Dick Townshen1 from his shell
of Alabama to the front. Each has made
a study of his speciality, and each is thor
Oughly conversant with the subject Let
the breeze of discussion set his way and in
ten minutes each mans desk will be H.
tered with books and public documents
bearing on the point at issue. The most
successful men usually familarizs them
selves with solitary branches OF Legislation.
Not one in fifty is versatile. Dick Town
hAr ,l,
tackle Gov. Dingley upon maritime matters,
and Phelps would rather discuss fore-or-
dination and pr5destination with brass
mounted Calvinist than to am against
Herbert in a Debate on naval affairs The
versatile man is a diamond Of the first
wafer. OF course there are &C rss who aee
ready to talk upon any subjecs, bat not one
IN twenty gives vent to a new idea or crys-
tallizes an argument They secm to be in
PEELED by desire to fill the columns Of the
Record, and not by desire to throw any
new liz 1t upon the subject.
The truly versatile man Is a born leader
5ucn is the Hon. Charles Frederick Crisp
Of Americus, Ga, He inherits his versa
tility. His father aad his mother were YER
satile thea rical performers, nearly forty
years ago. Mr.. Crisp frequently par ici-
pates in discussion He has a good vote,
and INDUCES in compact lines Of argument.
His ideas are clear, and fly from under the
hammer Of debate like sparks from an anvil
He SITS every subject thoroughly, aud
there IS no chaff in his intellectual bread.
His mind biaz path for his tongue, and
his tongue never wanders from it, II,
readily talks upon every SuG ject and always
elucidates points not touched by others
Indeed, he is an admirable Crichton in leg
islation. Nature evidently intended him
for democratic leader, and no man can
better fl t0at role in the House. Hs has
nerve, pluck, intultioI and ability. HIS
boldness is checked by the proper quantity
of cautiousness. He win never be drawn
into an ambuscade, nor tempted to assault
an impregnable sltion. Mr. Crisp wa
born in Sheffield, England, A. years ago
He has an admirable physique tempered
with excellent health. His eyes are blue.
and his complexion remarkably clear He
wears a slight mustache. which does not
conceal his white teeth. His forehead ex-
tends to the nape OF his neck, and hi, head
is as white and as polished as a spot bal in .
billiards. Crisp came TO this cOu ltry ia
the year Of his birth. He received a comm5n n
school education in Savannah, and IN Mac N.
He went through the war as a lisutenantin il
a Virginia regiment. Captured in one Of
the battles OF the Wilderness, e spent
year in Fort Delaware as a prisoner of war
After Lees surrender, he read law in
Americus, and began practice at the bar in
Ellaville, Ga. Six years aftervard he was
appointed solicitor-general of the south
western judicial circuit lie held this Office
five years, and then became Judge Of the
superior court He resigned that Office to
enter congress. Six years has he served in
the House, and he will, undoubtedly, re-
main there until elected to a higher office.
He is now chairman of the committee on
elections This place he holds not by the
appointment Of the speaker, but at the
earnest solicitation Of his party. He was
chosen by a committee appointed in eau
GUS. He has performed arduous labor in
this committee, and has led the aght on be
half Of the democracy in all trying election
contests.
Another versatile statesman is tho Hon.
William l.. Scott Of Erie, Pa. He is a good
listener and he quickly becomes interested
in debate. Emlnently practical in bust
ness, he IS never theoretical in discussion.
His mind is active and his thoughts ma
terialize apparently without effort Scott
can talk well upon almost any question. He
received only district school education, yet
he more than holds his own with college
bred debaters. He stands intellectually head
and shoulders above men whose parents
were far more wealthy than his He has
the mental vigor Of Voltaire, and the apt.
ness Of a McGlynn. His arguments glow
like Goals of fire, and warm all his hearers
DdA . 10 iApbllAAlh imposing III MS personal
appearance, however He is small, thin,
and round-shouldered, and has sparse sandy
hair. His face is sallow agd adorned with
a small brown mustache. His eyes are a
piercing gray IA color, and he has small
hands and feet. Mr.. Scott is over 60 years
old. There is not gray hair in his head
If be lived TO be a hundred his hair would
hardly change its color. His voice is thin
and piping, but when warmed to his work
it becomes as shrill as the growing of n
cock. Scott is probably worth $l5. 600. .OO0
He never seems TO feel his oats, however.
but bangs along the congressional highway
like an intellectual tramp in quest Of ad-
venture lie undoubtedly has a soft SPOT
for corporations but he never claims ex-
ceptional legisl tion in their interests. All
he asks is that they shall have fair play
under tine law. lie has no patronizing airs.
aud tolerates no toadies. He was born in
Washington, and was page in the House
from lS40 TO 1886 In lS4S he was a shipping
clerk in Erie, Pa He invested his earnings
In lake craft, and drifted into the coal and
shipping business. Afterwards he became
interested ia the manufacture Of iron and
tho mining OF coal, as well as in the con
struction and operation Of railroads He
represents either as president or director
over ~, 900 miles of completed railroads
The quicksilver in Jay Gould's business
Thermometer never scored higher point
Scott's first appearance in politics was as
a delegate to the convention that nominated
Horatio Seymour for tue presidency. He