New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-03
HIS TOICE rs "FLEXIBLE"

That is a very interesting circumstance stared
by Mr. John f. Russell, the Democratic can
didute for Governor of Massachusetts,, concern.
ing the manner in which he prepared himself
for the somewhat arduous task Of enlightenins
his fcllow-citizens from the stump as to their
political duties II recalls Dcmosthcnes. 1t hay-
ing been reported that he practiSed his speeches
i'm the fields he explains 1t by saying mat his
voice was :" weak and unrespoDsve at the OUT
set" and he found it necessary 10 do something
to correct the difficulty. There is large pond
he SAYS nj short distance from his house, ana
he posted a man on one side OF II while he
STAYED on the othe-. We shouted 10 each
other across the pond he says, " until by prac'
ticc my vocal cords, which had not been SUD
iected TO the strain Of public speaking for near
" year, became strong. flexible ana rcspoh'
siye" This il extremely interesting. Ii would
he more so II Mr.. Russell had communicated
the dialogue between himself and the man on
the other side Of the pond which 30 strength
cned his vocal chords and made his voice
STRONG. flexible and responsive. II would he
interesting to know whether Mr.. Russell shout
ed TO the other fellow the reasons why any
body in Massachusetts should vote the Demo
cratic ticket after eight months experience oi
Democratic Natonll Administration anu
three months exhibition OF a Democratic Con
gress Also whether there were any hsh IN
the pond And whether the miracle OF ~.
Anthony was repeated. Did the fish come up
ont OF the water TO hear him: And did he play
them for suckers?
Did the man on the other side Of the pond en-
brace the opportunity offered by being out OF
stones throw TO fling political conunhrums
across the watery waste 10 the voice cul'lvator
on the other side? lie probably did. Ana no
doubt IL was the effort 10 answer these conun-
drums that resulted in making Candidate Rus
sells voice strong. flexible and responsive. We
can think Of nothing better calculated 10 make
the voice of a Democratic candidate strong.
flexible and responsive than an attempt to an
swcr across q pond Of ordinary dimensions the
question why a Democratic Senate was unable
without Republican assistance TO full the
promise of the party platform and acccde TO
the request of Democratic President to repeal
the Silver act. Imagine candidate on one side
of the pond trying TO explain TO n fellow on the
other side how 1t was that the Democrats In
the Senate were exactly evenly divided on III"
passage of Democratic measure and that
more Republican than Democratic votes were
cast for IT, II that wouldn't make mans
voice flexible and responsive nothing could. Or
imag CINE the fellow on the ether side shouting
10 the candidate across the water: Give Ms
your views on the Reform Of the Civil Service
as carried out by that eminent Democratic
statesman and gifted son of Massachusetts the
Hon Josiah Quincy" and then, Please state
whether, in your belief, President Clevelands
appointments of Van Allen and Roosevelt were
intended as a rebuke 10 the practice Of reward
ing with public Office the men who make large
contributions TO campaign funds" II the fellow
across the pond propoundcd these inquiries and
suggestions and Candidate Russell answered or
attempted 10 answer thcm II is no wonder TINT
his voice became flexible. That process would
put fexibty into wooden Indian.
And yet we have a strong suspicion that in
spite of the fexibility and responsiveness Of his
vocal organs. the voters Of Massachusetts next
osday will decide to leave him swapping
echoes with the other fellow across the pond
instead Of calling him to the exercise of his
flexible and responsive vocal powers under the
gilded dome that overlooks Boston Common.