Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-21
BLAINE AS SPEAKER,
EI-Chief Clerk Lloyd Describes the
Plumed knight as He Came
Upon the Political Arena.
HIS REMARKABLE EQUIPMENT.
The Beau Ideal Of q Presiding 0ffcer
and Power That Friend and
Foe Alike Respected.
HIS ATTACK ON ROSCOE CoNKLING.
E1hsustless Store Of AnecdOte That he Often Made to
Serve Him on the Floor.
HIS REMARKABLE EQUIPMENT.
HIS ATTACK ON ROSCOE CoNKLING.
E1hsustless Store Of AnecdOte That he often Made to
Serve Him on the Floor.
WRITTEN FOR THE DrsPArcH.I

man to-day in this or any other country
than James G. Blaine, and no American
since the days of Henry Clay who has had
so devoted following. He came to Con-
gress at the same time that 1 took service in
the House of Representatives He i'm
pressed me, on my first acquaintance with
him, as a man of exceptional ability.
Although then but SO years of age, he
seemed to be fully equipped in every re-
spect for the political career upon which he
was entering. He possessed a mint of in
tellectual wealth, ready coined for circula-
ton at will, and which, like the widows
cruise of oil, was kept SO continually replen-
ished that it never seemed to suffer diminu-
tion by any drafts that were made upon 1t.
His knowledge of political facts and the
readiness with which he could recall them
have never been excelled
Aswen Equipped Then as Now.
Indeed so complete was this mental equip
ment that it seemed impossible to add any
thing 10 it in all the subsequent years of
political service, and he appears to me to
be the same man now that he was then.
This is exceptional in my experience and
observation of men. No occasion ever
found him wanting or at fsult-no attack
upon him, however sudden, found him un-
prepared to meet it as fully as if he had
been anticipating it.
On the occasion of Colfax's election to
the Vice Presidency, and consequent trans
fer to the Senate, Blaine was elected
Speaker of the House His accession to
the chair, which had been filed for the six
preceding years by so accomplished a
Speaker as Colfax, was q severe test, but he
proved, as always, equal to the occasion.
With q rapid, but very clear and distinct
utterance, extraordinary quickness of ap-
prehension, excellent power of discrimina-
ton, great promptness of decision, an un-
surpassed magnetism of manner, constantly
felt and impossible to resist, a prodigious
memory, great readiness of wit, and withal
q superb physique, he was certainly the
Beau Ideal of Presiding officer
over popular assembly. Born in WASH
ingtoR county, Pa, O descendant of that
most remarkable class of people known as
Scotch-Irish, whose sterling qualities have
left their impress for good on many of our
institutions, he, in early life, wended his
way down East" contrary to the usual
course of empire, under an influence stronger
than the tides of emigration, and which l
leave to Mrs. Blaine to more fully explain,
and so he became "Blaine of Maine"
Previously to his elevation to the
Speakers chair / was a frequent witness of
his encounters with his fellow gladiators on
the floor, in which, though then apparently
but a mere STRIPPING, be proved himsolf the
peer Of any of them in masterful ability.
His attack on Conklng, the most skilful
debater in the House, savored of rashness.
but he bore himself in such manner as to
make his adversary beware of him, and in
t1To dc hof cd
to ranlle. He showed in this encounter
marvellous facility in finding the weak
joints in his opponents armor, and his lance
struck where it would most effectually tell
Knew Where to Strike Conkling.
1t is impossible to conceive of a speech
more thoroughly calculated to produce the
effect intended than this. He had measured
CoIkling accurately and knew just where to
strike. And yet he has probably lived to
regret 1t. The statement is fully warranted
that, but for that speech, Blaine would have
been elected President, and it is another in
stance showing upon what apparently triv-
ial circumstances turns human destiny
On another occasion that particularly
recall, he completely foored Raymond, of
the Times, no mean antagonist either, by his
superior knowledge and recollection of
political facts. He was the only man whom
! ever knew to make Butler vince. Com
ing down from the chair for the purpose, he
charged upon him with an impetuosity that
for the nOnce completely put him to rout.
He was fond of anecdote, of which he
possessed a seemingly e1haustless fund.
His answer to someone who asked him about
political defeat of the party in Maine on
one occasion was characteristic of the man.
'Oh, they have only stepped back to spit
on their hands and take fresh hold"
His Joke on Gail Hamilton.
On being told that it was reported that
certain articles written by Gail Hamilton,
who was a connection of the family and an
inmate of his house, had been inspired by
him, he said: THAT reminds me of an in
cidenJ that occurred in Western Pennsylva-
MIA. A married woman came with her hus-
band to Justice of the Peace to acknowl-
edge deed, and was asked the usual uues-
tion, whether she had executed it of her
own free will and accord, and without any
coercion or compulsion by her husband
Placing her hands on her hips, and looking
the magistrate in the eye, she replied,
why, Jedge, guess you don't know the
family"
His wonderful readiness on all occasions,
his great wealth of anecdote, and facility of
illustration, combined with unfailing good
humor, made him the delight of the social
entertaining of men the only drawback be-
ing that he seemed at til - to get absorbed
in some apparea. process of mental intro
version that mad EiE appear Indifferent to
what was being sale by others; peculiar
itv that l have observed in o number of
other distinguished men.
Lincoln Didn't Like starchiness.
shall never forget the glee with which
he told of an interview with President Lin
coin. He had been appointed member of
the joint committee of the two Houses to
wait upon the President and inform him
that they had assembled, etc The Chair
man of the committee was Senator Foot of
Vermont, very courtly gentleman. On
being admitted Mr.. Foot struck an attitude
and said: 'Mr. President, we have been ap-
pointed q committee on the part of the two
Houses of Congress to wait upon you and
advise you that they have met and organ
lied and are ready to receive any communi-
cation which you may be pleased to make
to them"
Mr.. Lincoln walked up to him, and, slap
ping him on the shoulder, said: 'fNow,
look here, Foot; if it is q matter of life or
death to you l can send in my message to-
day, but if it isn't ] would like to keep it
till tomorrow to slick it up little"
Blaine's greatest qualities were never
more conspicuously displayed than on the
occasion of the deadlock over the attempt to
pass the civil rights bill in the House and
which held the House n continuous session
for IS hours. Hour after hour. through the
long and dragging days and nights, he sat
IL the chair,
Auparentlv Insensible to FatjrTe