The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-03-03
TALENTED ORATORS.
congressman Who Know How to
Talk for Public Effect.
BURROWS, tho silvcr-Tougued Orator from
~ nIichigan-The Sledge- Hammer Meth
eds of Amos j.. Cummings. the
Gotham Ediaor-Statesman.
Especial washington letter.


sentatives during the present session of
congress. The gentlemen who have al
ready given evidence of their oratorlcal
abilities are neither few nor far be-
tween. Judging from surface indica-
tions there seems to be an orator from
every state; and thus far. there has
been no effort made by any of the elo-
quent gentlemen to conceal their lights
under bushels.
Before the civil war, Robert M. T.
Hunter, of Virginia, was one OF the
strongest men in congress. He was
strikingly handsome man. His counter
part in personal appearance is mem
Der of the present house. Joseph W..
Bailey, of Gainesville, Tex, is a young
man possessed of great deal more
than ordinary ability in every direction;
but his ability as a1 orator is preemi-
nent. Mr.. Bailey is very deliberate
man III action as well as in speech. His
gestures are few, but aggressive, sup
plementing and strengthening his we'll
rounded periods, which are uttered
with great vehemence.
James Buchanan, of Trenton is an
orator whose abilities are Better appre-
ciated in the Second congressional dis
trict of New Jersey than in the house
of representatives. His eloquence is
unquestioned on the hustings, but he
lacks that power of condensation which
is prerequisite for success in congress
sional eloquence. In other words Mr..
Buchanan can talk on almost any sub
e,1Y, tn 40 ri
of a lifetime; but there seems to be an
excess of verbiage in comparison with
the number OF ideas put forth in his
oratorical efforts.
Julius Caesar Burrows, Of Michigan,
is probably the most pleasing orator in
the present house of representatives.
He is man of more than ordinary
ability, extensive reading, wide range
of information and innate courtesy
upon all occasions. He is finished
elocutionist and is possessed of most
pleasing voice, which has evidently
been well cultivated for many years.
His speeches are not numerous but are
always powerful, and every member OF
the house delights in giving him au-
dience.
Barnes Compton, of Maryland, is one
OF the flowery orators of the house.
His speech in defense of his title to
seat in the last congress was one of the
most eloquent utterances ever heard
within those walls. He has delivered
no speeches during the present con-
gress-
William Fl. Grain, of Texas, is one of
the young men whose oratorical ability
is spontaneously conceded. He is a
handsome man of social disposition,
and therefore possessed of many per-
sonal friends, who are ever ready to
give him that need of applause which
IS due for his brilliant ptterances.
ia The ablest orator on the daslocratic
side of the house of representatives
will probably not be heard in a set
speech upon the floor during this SEES
sion of congress. Circumstances are
such as to prevent him from participant
ing in debate, because Charles Fred
erick Crisp, of Georgia, is speaker of
the house of representatives and while
in that position cannot indulge in dis
cussions upon the floor. He isa schol-
arly man with judicial turn of mind
whose conclusions upon all subjects are
logical, and is an orator OF very much
more than mediocre merit.
Amos j. Cummings of New York does
his speech-making with a sledge ham
mer, crowbar and pair of lungs.
His utterances are always extemporan-
cons, intensely earnest, and delivered
with no effort at ornate oratorical eff
feet He is a natural orator, however,
and possesses the genius of speech, as
well as the genius Of literature.
Jonathan P. Dolliver, Of Iowa, is
only thirty-four years Of age, but. he
the first rank. He has cultivated an
epigrammatical style of expression
which is like unto the speaking of no
other man. His sentences are rhyth-
mic and pleasing alike to the ear and
the intellect. Mr.. Delivers speeches
are always short, to the point, well
prepared, condensed and convincing.
Nils P. Haugen, of Wisconsin, was
born in Norway forty three years ago,
and came to America with his parents
when but lad. He is self-educated
man and has attained legislative dis
tinetion because he possesses the genius
of labor. Mr.. Haugen is a very tall, we'll
proportional strong and athletic man.
He possesses q keen, incisive intellect,
and has cultivated a strong and pleas
ing style of expression. His English
diction is remarkably pure and his
words are selected with great care to
express the exact shade Of meaning in
tended to be conveyed by him.
David B. Henderson, of Iowa, Is the
most impassioned orator on the re.
publican side of the house. He never
makes aspeech unless reused to it by
the occasion and the circumstances. He
never makes a speech that is not in
tensely earnest and hurtled forth hot
from his sincere heart. Every speech
delivered by him is the expression OF
the earnest convictions of sincere
man. His command of language is
wonderful and his extemporaneous ut
terances are never hampered for lack
of proper word to use. At the con-
L. Of