New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-10
PLAIN TALK FROM MR.. HILL
THE SENIOR SENATOR FROM NEw-YoRK
DENOUNCES THE PROPOSITION.
1T IS UN-DEMoCRATIC AND UN-AMERICAN - Al
ATTEMPT TO MAKE THE DEMOCRATIC
PARTY TAIL FOR THE PoPULIsr
kITE-vIGoRoUs CRITICISM OF
THE ADMINISTRATION
OPINION or SENATOR
VOORHEES,.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUyz.I

Washington April 9.-Senator Hills speech
this afternoon in opposition to the income tax
section of the Wilson bill proved easily one OF
the most marked successes II the present session.
Judges by the severest standards of public ora
tory-standards which have not yet fallen into
entire neglect in the "deliberative branch OF
Congress-Mr Hills attack upon the income tax
programme Of his party may not be entitled TO
rank in quality finish with other notable
speeches OF recent sessions. yet by It's vigor,
pungency, intense political interest and practical
political effectiveness 1t clearly establishes Mr.
Hilrs place in the front rank of Senatorial de-
baters.
Since the days Of ingalls, no such widespread
eagerness to hear party leader has been mani
tested either by members Of Congress or By
the general public as that which to-day crowded
the Senate chamber as it is rarely crowded, save
for the ceremony Of a Presidential Inauguration.
The average Congressman has little enthusiasm
for political oratory, and only on unusual oc-
casions can the seats on the floor Of the Senate
be kept filled while a set speech is in progress.
To-day. however fully three-fourths of the
Senators were on hand promptly to near Mr.
Hill begin his expected assault upon the wilson
bill. and they were speedily reinforced by over
100 Representatives. who had come across from
the south end Of the Capitol to share the an
spaces between the outer rim OF desks and the
Senatorial cloakrooms were filed in with chairs
borrowed from the office Of the Sergeant-at-Arms
and from the restaurant, and in these impro-
yised rows Of seats enough members or tho
lower branch" soon ranged themselves to supply
the elusive quorum which is so often ana so
vainly sought after by bafied Speaker Tne
galleries were densey packed long before the
hour o'clock-arrived at which Mr. Hill mao
said he would begin speaking. Admittance hao
to be denied from noon on 10 hundreds or apph-
cants and up to o'clock long lines OF men ana
women stood at the gallery doors waiting for
chance to take any place inside which might De
vacated.
Mr. HiIl read his speech from printed slips,
showing a little nervousness at the beginning.
For the first hour he talked WITH great ease ano
clearness Of enunciaton, but the strain told upon
him finally. and toward the end his manner was
hurried and many words were clipped ana IN
distinct. The NOR striking passages however,
were delivered with full emphasis and dramauo
effect and the frequent illusions to the Demo-
cratic leaders whom he held responsible Tor the
suicidal income tax programme were charseo
with witherng sarcasm. Though Nj. fhA spoke
| for two hours and half his audience paid MN
the extraordinary compliment OF complete ana
unbroken attention-an attention fully merited
and the absorbing political interest with WHICH
! the orators utterances were invested
LEADER OF THE EASTERN DEMOCRATS.
The qualities which have especially distin-
guished Mr.. Hills recent public deliverances are
| boldness and candor ard these qualities To-
eether with his pronounced disposition to think
and act for himself, have quickly established
| him as one of the genuine political forces on
| the majority side of the Senate Though MS
actual service in the "deliberative branch dates
back but two years Mr.. Hill has easily out
stripped Eastern Democratic Senator'S OF longer
experience and more favoring opportunities 10
the achievement of a direct personal lnnuehce
and authority in party affairs, until now MS
| leadership as the representative or Eastern IN
terests within the party can be disputed py
| Senator German alone. Having the indepen'
dence and force to hold political views OF MS
own and the courage to proclaim ana deIehd
them Mr. Hill shows again in his speech TO-
day. as he did last summer by his spiri,eo
course IN the fight for the repeal of the Sherman
act. his undoubted superiority over such East'
ern Democrats as Senators Gray and McPher-
son who now as always, are content to echo
| the opinons of others and lack wholly the morai
| and political courage to oppose openly ana de'
cs,velv n measure which is as odious to the senti-
ment of New-Jersey and Delaware as IL can
possibly be to the sentiment of New-fork'
| Mr. Hilrs outspoken and emphatic denunclauoh
| of tho income tax scheme contrasts most favor-
| abl, with Mr. McPhcrson's refusal TO vote
AGAINST its adoption in committee when his vote
would have insured its rejection and his present
subservience with that Of Mr.. Gray, to Southern
and Southwestern opinion n the party which ~
wholly subversive of Eastern interests.
The senior New-York Senator failed to receive
| concentrations from any of his Southern oil
| Western colleagues at the conclusion OF MS
| sneech Yet the bodness and vigor OF Mr. HilTs
| assault on the income tax could not help increas-
inc the respect of Senator's of both parties for his
nolitcaI consistency and vril.ty. and the fruit OF
his courageous conduct now VIII uhdouoteuly Do
seen hereafter in the added Importance as
renresentatve Of Eastern Democratic interests, 10
vbich the senior New-York Senator's just and
valid criticism of a mistaken party measure VIII
clearly entitle him.
After Mr. Hill had finished speaking Mr. Harrs
renewed his efforts to have the Wilson bill read
at length. Mr. Aldrich opposed this as contrary
IN nrecedent and hinted broadly that Mr.. Harris
nronosition was absurd and useless unless 1t In
voIved some hidden parliamentary trick Mr..
Harris would make no concessions and tried to
force his point. The quorum disappeared now
aver when he needed 1t most and he was obliged
IN Lot his unintelligb,e and rather suspicious
nroposal go over until tomorrow without action
WHAT MIR. HILL SAID.
The full text Of Mr.. Hils speech follows: