The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1891-03-20
STATESMEN ORATORS.
MEMBERS OF THE LATE FlFTY.FlRsT
CONGRESS WHO SPOKE WELL.


Holman, the Treasury's Watch Dog
Boutelle and His Bell.Like Voice
Mckinley aud His Dignity-B reckin.
ridge. the silver Haired.
Especial Correspondence
WASHINGTON, March 12.-The person
In search Of an example Of the true Del
sartian grace In oratory would scarcely
look for 1t in the house Of representatives,
Even II he would he content with q
proper observance of the ordinary rules
Of speech making laid down by those
who profess to teach the art, it is prob
able that he would BIO sadly disappointed
Il he were to expect to see them prac-
ticed by the members Of the national
legislature. The average member Of
congress says what he has to say as well
as he can and then sits down, troubling
himself very little about the manner Of
his saying 1t SO long as his words are
parliamentary. There is not one who
would dare to expose himself to the ridi-
Guile Of his colleagues on the floor by
adopting any set Of rules for his guild
ance as to the manner Of delivering @
speech, even if he had the time to pre-
pare himself in that way, for the men,
bers are very quick to see and make fun
of mannerisms in debate. Nevertheless
there were orators Of no mean ability in
the house Of representatives whose ses-
sion has just closed, and every one of
them has a characteristic mannerism by
which he is as easily recognized as by
his voice or face.
There is Judge Holman, for instance.
Had it not been for the failure of his
voice he would have been one of the most
powerful debaters, as he is one of the
most interesting of takers. Always we'll
up on the subjects coming before the
house, experienced in procedure, strong
in argument, if his voice was more effect
i've he would be a powerful ally on the
side Of any measure. Unfortunately, it
is with difficulty that the house can catch
what he has to say. When he talks you
may be sure that he will have the fore
finger of his right hand pointed in the
direction of some member whose atten-
ton he particularly wishes to attract,
and his arm will be going up and down
in faithful imitation of pump handle,
emphasizing every other word. He has
only one variation to this method. and
that is when, in his capacity of "watch
dog of the treasury" he feels called
upon to object to some pending measure.
Then he jumps up from his seat, sticks
out that forefnger Of his at consider
able elevation over his head, but directed
at the speaker, and calculates 81 object"
That usually settles the matter, for Mr..
Holman is logged fighter, and is not
easily persuaded to withdraw an objec-
ton once made.
Boutelle is an entirely different kind
Of an orator from Mr.. Holman. With
clear, strong voice, resonant as bell, he
is heard without difficulty in all parts of
the house, and in a tumult his loud tones
can be distinguished above all the shout
ing and confusion. Instead of pointing
out one finger, Boutelle finds it necessary
to use his whole fist for emphasis, and
with clinched hand he bangs the air or
his desk, as the case may be, as though
he was repelling boarders On his old
ship as in days of yore. He has the eye
and the disposition of the hawk, and he
swoops down on unwary members with
out mercy. He is very fond of inter
rupting Democratic speakers to make
some sarcastic allusion to the past, and
he rubs the pepper of reconstruction into
the old wounds of the Confederate veter-
ans at every opportunity.
Another distinct type of oratory is that
which characterizes Mckinley. Suave,
calm and dignifed, he never gets ex-
cited. He is impressive in debate ard
the words roll from his lips in well
rounded sentences. His voice is clear
and we'll modulated. He has habit |
when making particularly pointed re-
mark of stretching out his forefingers
and thumbs to the widest extent, allow
ing the other three fingers of both hands
to lie passive on the palms.
Probably the member who uses gest-
ures the least is silver haired Breckin-
ridge, of Kentucky. Standing in the
middle of an aisle, he rests his hands on
two desks, and his voice, at first husky,
gradually becomes as clear as a flutes
notes. He is model of courtesy, and
many of his speeches are masterpieces of
eloquence. In debate his face has a
roseate flush, and his pale blue eyes flash
with intelligence. Greenhalge, of Massa-
chusetts, is another fine orator whose
gestures are few but well chosen. He
speaks calmly and without passion, but
an antagonist should not feel treasured
by his engaging air, for Greenhalge's
arguments are strung with sarcasm Bit
ter and biting, and his thrusts are keen
and slashing. He made his reputation
by speech on contested election case,
and since then there are few who have
had the temerity to interrupt him in de-
bate.
The greatest orator of them all in the
opinion of many is Mr.. Butterworth, Of
Ohio. His speeches are delivered with
Ill the fire and vim Of q man greatly in
and that, according to Dan
is the test of all others Of an
orator. Butterworth is wit, and his
a1wnvs snarlx1o with humorous