Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-02-02

members, to-day. there are but twelve
who served in the house with Mr..
Blaine in the forty-fourth or prior con-
crosses These are Holman, O'Neill
(Pa.), Harmer, Hooker, Blount, Bur-
rows, Springer, Forney, Culberson,
Bland, Henderson Qll.), and Ketcham.
CONGRESSIONAL "REMINISCENCES.
The older members Of the house have fund
of "reminiscences of the dead statesman. They
refer TO the memorable fight against the first
force bill, which was led by MI. Randall. OF
Pennsylvania, and which was opposed by that
statesman and his democratic friends. But in
that fight, says ths republican father of the
house. O'Neill, OF Pennsylvanfa-who was an
tagoni,tic to the view taken by the speaker
Mr.. Randall's efforts would not have been
crowned with success had it not bsea for Mr..
Blaine. It was then, when the republican ma
jority was . large one, and filibustering by the
democrats rampant. that Speaker Blaine quoted
the old proverb that "You may lead horse to
water, but you can't make him drink"
Mr.. Holman. Of Indiana, touched upon the
same string with Mr.. ONeill. a republican. by
ascribing the defeat OF the forco bill as much
to MIR. Blaine as to Mr.. Randall ut was Mr..
Biaine's fairness as an that permitted him
to defeat the force bill, )" the Indiana statesman
said. Mr.. Blaine never left any man in the
chair who was not a fair man. It was his fair
ness which permitted the democrats to flibus-
Ter the IOrC0 Dill OF LnOS6 Gays 10 ueaCI.
II saw him march down the aisle like great
mastiff about to pounce on q little f1ste," said
Mr.. James Courts, the clerk to the appropria-
tions committee. who had just come to Wash
ington from Tennessee to begin his service on
the committee with which he Is still Connected.
Mr.. Courts was speaking Of the dramatic Null
lgan episode. He was at that time" con-
tinued Mr.. Courts 1.-The finest picture of phys
ical manhood ever saw As he walked down
the aisle he looked like great soldier. He was
then about Is, his hair was iron gray.
he seemed the perfect picture Of life
such a consummats orator IN that house.
It was his tremendous dash and courage
he demanded tho attention OF the
house that brought the body to him.
Proctor Knott. Eppa Hunton and all thu other
fellows who wera making the fight on him.
His appreciation of the effect of statement
and his sharpness was shown by the dramatic
Cccthc1 in which h. exclaimed: ! appeal from
the GIN mt OF that com nittes to the judg-
ment of 4, 0O0, COO of people, The census had
been taken in 1870 showing less than 40, 0C0 600
of people, and nobody was talking about the
population at that time. Mr.. Blaine seemed to
have the faculty of bringing facts home to
people in this way and producing sensation
by drawing their minds to something to which
they had never given thought. I remember
Mr. Blaine's statement 100000 of people
started a running discussion which was taken
up i'll the newspapers and the conclusion was
reached that Blaine was about correct.
MIR. B'aine's other great appearances in that
congress, which was about the close OF his ca
rser in the house-as he was appointed during
the congress to take Lot Morrill's place in the
senate-was in his speech on the general am
nesty bill. This bill was brought in, think,
by s. S. Cox, and remember it was attempted
to pass it with a rush. Blaine wanted to ex-
cept JEFF Davis and then occurred the Ander-
10 <Nc 1Ny.ssN< pfy,r Eo0H
something people had forgotten with vivid
ness that produced sensation was shown in
this speech. He recalled the Andersonville
scenes in way that shocked the whole world. :"
THE coNxL1sa EPISODE.
Said one of the old stenograph ers Of the
house: Mr.. Blaine's career in the house was
marked by many exciting episodes. He first
came into prominence through an altercation
between himself and Mr. Roscoe Conkline, then
a member of the house from Utica, N Y. It
was In the war period. and Mr.. Blaine made a
bitter attack upon Mr.. Conkling for having
charged the government for fees as judge adj
vocats while he was drawing pay IS member
of congress. Mr.. Conkling repeled the attack.
and INDUCED in some severe criticisms OF his
antagonist, who, in reply. spoke derisvely OF
Mr.. Conkling's magnificent turkey gobbier
strut The incident excited great public at
tentlon at the time, and helpe1 to bring both
actors in it into that prominence which they
each enjoyed during the remainder of thsir
lives"
s.The national house o. representatives."
said the same experienced reporter, has had
few speakers, il any. who enjoyed greater pop
ularity among its members, or who exercised
more influence over legislation than Mr. Blaine.
Democrats admired him for his impartiality and
fairness as much as for his abilities and he had
no faster friend on either side OF the chamber
than Mr.. Randall. the unfiinching Pennsylva-
mia democrat. Up to and all through Mr.. Ran
1olls fto fra Iaft aiu
tanned between the two men who had been so
long associates on the floor OF the house and
who had occupied the speakers chair with sig
nal ability and success"
There are but seven of those who served with
AFR. Blaine in the senate remaining In that
body where he served so honorably and so
we'll They are Senators Allison, Cockrell.
Dawes Gordon. Mitchell, Morrill, and Ransom,
four republicans and three democrats.
Mr.. Hale. the junior senator from Name
who, perhaps. stood nearer to Mr.. Blaine
than any other man in Washington. was too
greatly moved by the personal sorrow that
O ,me to him, to express his visws concerning
the life and work Of the great party leader
His remarks in announcing to the senate the
death OF Mr. Blaine were delivered with much
feeling and but partly expressed the deep emo
ton that possessed him.
The acuualntanc. of Mr.. Frye. thu senior
Maine member, with Mr.. Blaine. was very ex-
tended. Said he: II was member Of the
Maine legislature whsn Mr.. Blaine was this
speaker of this Maine houss. and have been
closely connected with him ever sinc,. I was
a member of the national house OF representa-
tives when he was speaker and succeeded him
to his seat in the senate. Our relations nearly
all the time have been OF the frieniliest char
acter. think he was the most brilliant
man ever knew. He had a most wonderful
for absorbing Information AMI
a still more wonderful capacity fo- giving it
out at timely moment. He was very re-
controversialist, and was rather fond
of it. Indeed. his powers were not fully shown
in set speeches, and he was much more dan
garous foe in a running debate. do not think
as a speech. On the stump nothing pleased
him better than Interruptions. and he was
effective in his replies. They were
so apt. a rule. that some OF his enemies
charged him with setting up jobs
in advance"
TRIBUTES FRoas THE GARNET.
The cabinet associates OF Mr. Blaine paid
the following tribute of affection and esteem to
his memory:
Secretary of State Foster: "Other Of his
friends are more competent to speak OF Mr..
Blains's services and genius in congress, il
politics and Ia literature. In diplomacy his
chic; characteristic was his exaits1 American
ism. He was thorough believer in the
Monroe doctrine and the reciprocity policy
which distinguished the closs OF his public
career was an outgrowth OF his convictions
specting that doctrine. His diplomatic CORE
spondence will rank among the best OF his po-
litical productions. Hi reputation abroad
will mainly rest upon his acts as secretary Of
state. and 1t is not an exaggsration to say that
in the past ten years, at least, he has been tbs
best known American in foreign lands.
Secretary of the Treasury Foster: II first
met Mr.. Blaine when ke became member
of. the forty second congress-. and during
his six years. Of brilliant service as
speaker Of the house At that tins he was in