Omaha daily bee., 1889-02-24
SENATORIAL PEN PICTURES,
Peculiarities Of Men Who Make
Nebraska's Laws,
HOW THEY APPEAR IN DEBATE.
Some Phases OF Legislation OF More
Than Passing Interest to n Con
templativc Obscrver-State
House Gossip.


LINCOLN, Ncb., Feb. @-ISpcCial TO The
BEE. The supplemented may stand in
reverential Of the dignity and power of
a Legislature, but that IS partly because dist
ance lends its euchantment ana unfamlliarity
its halo, and partly because the press gives u
transient glory 10 men and measures.
To one on the scene Of action the intrigu-
ing Of ambitious politicians, the contention
Of selfish interests, the laundering efforts of
legislatorsgusually well meaning, but often
ignorant on the subject in haud-tO one who
observes these human foiblcs and passions at
play and cares to philosophize about it, the
dignity of the Legislature is a mask of mock
cry, and the halo is as cheap as tinscl.
But If this gathering is very human in.
stead of dlvinely god.llke, there is a phase of
it of interest to a contcmplatiyc observer
because of Us very humanncss, if the word is
permissible. The individual members lave
traits and pcculiarities that are a diverting
study. All may not show these character
istics in sufficient strength or number to be
worthy of especial notice, but in others they
are quite marked.
In the senate the most interesting member
by all odds is Senator Church Howe, of
Nemaha county. He is the most active
man and perhaps the most potential force
in the body. He has been in the legislature
sixteen years, knows all the ropes, and has a
state wide Acquaintance. Be is rather natty
in appearance and would be taken for a gay,
well preserved bachelor beau rather than the
grandfather that he Is. This may be owing
tothe cut of his sack coat and the nicely
with which the hairs of his Uranium are
parted in the middle and brushed down in a
vain effort To hide a blushing badness. To
these remnants of Youthful vanity must be
added an elastic carriage and the never
absent bouquet on his desk. But he has
very little in common with the bachelor beau
beyond this resemblance. He is a worker,
has strings tied to a great many objects and
is up and at IL all the time. He is often
seen fitting from member to member,
defcrentially seeking information from one,
advising with another, dropping a sug-
gcstion that enables a third to appear in a
creditable light, and forming a combine with
others to oppose certain measures. Aud
occasionally he becomes absent-minded and
removes the cigar which is stuck back in
some receptacle hidden by a big, dropping,
iron. gray mustache. In his seat he con-
stantly interrupts the proceedings, usually
to ask a question intended to make a point
clearer. Often he does it without the ccrc-
mony of rising and asking permission, and
often it is a witty remark containing more
practical wisdom than a profound speech.
His favorite gesture is a peculiar one. The
right fist is closed except as to the fore
finger, which curls downward. He pokes
that finger at the person he Is addressing,
and the little, nervous pokes follow in
quick succession until no one is in
doubt of whom he is addressing.
He has made no speeches this session, though
one or two talks have left u suggestion of
fine possibilities. He is happicst in debate,
being quick of retorJ and keen of repartee.
He has the art, or rather the genius, of good
fellowship in a large degree. He is more
than approachable, because he goes out of
his way to be affable. He introduces and
champions the bills of other mcmbcrs and a
suggestion from him is often put in TO cxtri-
cate an inexperienced chairman who is tlouu-
dering in the intricacies of parliamentary and
senate rules. All these things may
be the arts of a consumate politician, but Il
consummate politician is an interesting study
and in this case it smoothes the edges of per-
sonal contact most agreeably. He frankly
announces his interest IN the railroads,
merely asks fair play for them and sits
down. 1t takes of the edge of personal feel
ing and does not sharpen antagonism.
Senator Frank Ransom, of Otoe county,
talks oftenest and makes the most speeches
OF any member of the senate. Consequently
he is u conspicuous figure on the floor.
Although upon the verge of middle age, he
Is boyish in appearance, which wins him
much sympathetic admiration. He is always
loaded to the muzzle and it takes very little
to pull the trigger. He goes off on Slight
provocation, but once in a fight he is enlisted
for war. The motive for his speechmaking
is not always apparent, and some
people are uncharitable enough to init
mate that he wants to hear himself
talk put 1t was a fact that will be admitted
by his colleagues that he has exposed fatal
defects in bills that otherwise would have
slipped through without objection. As an
%irritant, he is n brilliant success. He seems
to have a ready and comprehensive grasp of
the code that enables him to seize readily |
upon nconsistcncie between past statutes |
and proposed acts. When he takes up the
cudgels he pounds away until tired or over
whelmed, and then he resorts to amend
ments, fatal or ridiculous, or to dilatory
motions. If he can get two or three allies to |
helm HIM in this HiDnStprinp SO mnrh the |
grimmer his determination. When speaking |
his head inclines to the lett, and he works
his right arm like a pump handle. while his |
left hand is liable to be in his pants pocket |
Senator Norval of Seward county naturally |
comes to mind here, because there seems to
be an affinity between him and Senators |
Howe and Ransom. On railroad legislation |
there is Il tripartite alliance between these |
gentlemen. On other matters Mr.. Noryal |
swings like Il pendulum between the other
two. III his sympaties are with Ransom the
latter may count on an intelligent prompt |
support in his efforts at hlibustering strangu-
lation. AT other times, though not so often, |
he is an earnest abettor of HOwe's champion |
ship of "A measure. Senator Norval's Til Tx is
devoted largely to the legal bearings Of the
various propositions under discussion, but he
makes no sustained address unless
the measure is one in which he is
especially interested. He has come TO
be known as the obiector, because he objects
To most of the resolutions introduced. They |
are thereby laid over for Il day, under a sen
ate rule, which gives the senators time to
inquire into their cause and effect. IT seems
10 bc a well-deiined purpose of the senator
from Seward To kill off as many Of the bills |
as possible on the theory that the less legis- |
lati0n the better for the state. This accounts
for the frequent aid he gives the iccnoclastic \
Ransom. Norval is another politician who
slips about among neighboring desks form |
ing alliances, offensive aud defensive, ana |
prompting moves to which he shrewdly plays |
second. Personally, he is an agreeable gen |
tleman, who will go out of his way to do |
favors even for Il mere acquaintance.
Senator Lindsay, of Furnas county, is one
OF those men you instinctiyely brother-up to |
on first acquaintance. Has face Is an open |
book, with sincerity written all over il, and /,
his bright eyes have a twinkle that invites |
confidence. His geuuineness and unaffected !
manner have inspired Il respect akin 10 affec. |
ton. He is one of the best and most fluent
speakers in the senate, but there is no osten. |
tatious display of his ability and no effort TO
put the mark Of his thumb on every measure |
that comes up, His voice, like that of most
sulall men, is a little sharp, bat he handles |
The presidents English with ready incisive- |
ness and telling effect. When he speaks the |
impression Is irresistible that an honest
effort is being made TO conserve the public
veal. |
Senator Nesbitt has inspired in a marked
degree the feeling "here is a coming man.
Over six feet tall ma is brQll AhOul1prpl in |