Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-24

Wtlttc0 ioF Inc Evening star.
sKILLFULLY MANAGED.
The Democratic Contest Against the Passage
| OF the Force Bill.
Mr. ooRMAS's LEADERSHIP Is sHRrwp, CAREFUL.
wArcHFUL AND FAR-REAcHINe-rHE pIsAp-
vASrAGEs uSpER WHICH Mr.. HoAR LABoRs-
AN OBSTRUCTIVE POLICY.
TNHE CONTEST AGAINST THE FORCE
Il bill has been managed with remarkable
skill 1t Is always easier to obstruct than to
promote legislation in Congress, but when a
majority are earnestly in favor Of a measure
and determined to put it through, to the exclu-
sion of everything else, opposition must give
way sooner or later. There il q great differ
ence, however, in the ways of obstructing.
There is great contrast between the violent
| and noisy methods sometimes followed in the
House and the quiet, subtle and decorous play
for delay which has been witnessed in the
Senate under the management of Mr. German.
| Throughout the fight, since the first Monday
| in December, there has been a most orderly
| fihbuster. strong language being used in the
denunciation of the measure under consider
alton, but the most marked courtesy being
maintained between the Senators personally.
WING everybody mas Known tnat IL was a
fibuster there has been but little external evil
dence of the fact. There has been the appearance
OF honest and earnest discussion. with no other
object In view than a thorough ventilation of
the subject. Each long speech in opposition
to the measure has been so well timed Ms to
| carry the conviction that there was no more in
1t than the speaker felt to be necessary 10 con-
vey all Of his argument, and that il could not
well have been fully stated in less time. So
earnest and pointed were these speeches made
from the first that though il the fixed
policy of the managers of the measure to let
the democrats do all the talking. 1t was soon
found necessary for the friends of the bill to
defend it. With a defense made difficult by
accumulative attacks. coming from many
quarters, long speeches had to be made on the
republican side taking up that much more
time and giving warrant for still further dis
c0sslon on the part of the opposition
MIR. spooNERs GRAND EFFORT.
For instance it took a good many demo-
cratic speeches to answer the grand effort of
Mr. Spooner and the dragging in of criticism
of the Mississippi constitution called for a de-
Tense of that instrument. which took many
hours. No one could dispute that this was le-
climate debate! Many opportunities for the
practice OF the ordinary dilatory tactics were
offered the democrats, but they wisely re-
Trained from making use of them. determined
to keep up the appearance of entire ingenious
binary practice of debate until absolutely
necessary. All the while the minority party
has been promptly responsive to the directing
influence of Mr.. German. who has commanded
by the movement of finger. as Gilmore leads
his hand-every part in harmony each move
ment properly timed. Now an active man has
been put forth to provoke the managers of the
bill to discussion and to give real life to the
contest. Then has droning speaker been in
PRODUCED with all his wearing and t;rle-killing
mol A
length have been followed. when the republic
cans have pressed them To try to disclose the
fihbuster. by short and sharp debate and the
busy consideration OF the bill in detail. as il to
dispose of it speedily as possible. As far
as possible everything has been allowed to fol-
low a natural course and each phase OF the
fight has been made to appear to come natur-
ally out OF the situation. Nothing has been al
lowed to come with shock, In a sense each
day has been allowed to take care of itself. but
there has always been an eve looking forward
and no possible contingency has been unpro-
vided for.
10 make such plan Of campaign possible
Mr.. German has had able assistance and has
the best OF material to work with.
S1R. HoAR's DIFFICULT TASK.
Mr.. HOar has been on the aggressive md
more difficult side of the fight. besides having
an unpopular cause. Moreover, while Mr..
German has had the earnest support of every
member of his party, all ready to sacrifice
anything to defeat the force bill. Mr.. Hoar has
had to work almost alone often, and has been
obliged to contend against both secret and
open opposition within and outside his party
His chief active support in the fight has come
from Spooner and Aldrick. together with the
tremendous efforts made in behalf of the meas
ure by President Harrison. He has had no
such number of ready lieutenants TO throw
into the field as has Mr. German With
Gray, Faulkner. kenna, Pasco. I ur,ie. George.
Morgan. Reagan. Harris. Cockrell. Vest and
Butier on either hand German finds every
necessary equipment Tor parliamentary fight.
He has but to turn to this side Or to tina. for
wise counsel, for quick wit and endurance. for
law and logic. for versatility and amplfication
for parliamentary practice and knowledge of
the rules, for all or for anything he wants to
strengthen his position and make his fight
effective, and in himself he has all the shrewd-
ness and skill in leadership that it is given
for one man to possess. He is always on
hand 10 direct. "a faint suggestion OF a smile
trying to force its way between his tightly
compressed lips, speaking only when it is abso-
lutely necessary, and when he does speak his
words coming out as keen and cutting as a
frosty wind at sunrise.
GoRMAN AS A LEADER.
When the Senate opens in the morning while
the page boys are drawn up in semi circle.
one at each desk in front of the Vice Presidents
>ee-~' 'AiN VIM 40 pouiAuS lOftu ap-
peal for a Divine blessing. to which ingalls,
listens with folded arms and devoutly Blended
head. and to which Mr.. Hoar responds with an
earnest Amen" German sometimes stands
with his shoulder against the arch of the cloak
room door. one foot crossed over the other
that habitual frozen, cynical smile on his
mouth. and looks over the Senate chamber as
If he could read the thoughts of each man and
the plans for the day each might be thinking
Of during his devotions. During the session he
is sometimes in his seat. listening and watching
intentiy, or is moving among his colleagues.
quickly from one to another but with GOODNESS
and an air Of elaboration. Anxiety is never
indicated on his face and he preserves an even
manner throughout the day and from day to
day.
lie is perpetually sought by newspaper men
who want Inside information and he talks
with them all pleasantly and conidentially
without giving them any information. Some
times one who is radically wrong in his inter-
probation of move will be given a hint to that
effect, but he is left to his own wits TO work out
the truth. German takes few people into his
confidence and many who take commands from
him do SO on faith, not knowing just the reason
for them.
FRANCE AND RUSSIA.