The morning call., 1895-02-24

lures, Bart Burke of Santa Cruz is a pic
turesque figure on the floor of the Senate
II resemblance between name and man
exists, then it does in the instance of Bart
Burke. The lncisive monasyllables are in
dIcatlve OF the man. Senator Burke does
not speak often. When he does it is be-
cause his interest is deeply aroused, and
his whole mind is centered on the theme
OF which he talks. He is oblivious to
everything else, and has the mental faculty
OF concentration of thought in great de-
gree. He attacks more than he supports,
and usually votes no" His speech is
direct and pointed, and he does not
dIgress. He gestures with his right
hand, always stands at an angle from his
desk and faces the northeast portion of the
chamber, where Senator MCGOWAN sits
He does not mince his words, but speaks
his mind in the plainest of Saxon terms
III denOuncing bad measure or one that
he believes to be bad. The Democrats
have come to look to Bart Burke to lead
and attack when they feel like antag-
onizing the Republican majority There
Is, perhaps, little too much of earnest
ness In his manner, and if he could weave
short anecdOte or two into his speeches
II would appeal to slower minds by reliev-
ing the short, quick sentences of the
mOnOtOny OF the Staccato form of address.
Senator SeaWeII chooses q stately dictiOn
and avoids colIoquialisms. Courteous in
manner, he is usually fair in argument,
but sometimes stings his opponents with
his inference as to the motive back of the
opposition. There is a trace of the South
ron in his appearance, but not in his
speech. He rounds his remarks with
periods, and evidently has no sympathy
with the light, catchy style of address
which the end of the century has popular
lied. His are the old methods of oratorv,
not the new semi-hippant forms. There is
a shadow of the ponderous in some of his
efforts, as he does not condescend to
tighten his addresses with the spice of
humor, but when thoroughly aroused he
can use the sharp sword of sarcasm with
strong effect.
An impressive appearance is an aid to
an orator. Senator Seawell is not without
this assistance. A large, swarthy man, he
commands attention when he rises and
holds his hearers well until the close. He
has the legal mind, but is disposed to dis
regard constitutional objections, the point
OF points of the lawyers in the Legislature
Many of his bills are local in their
nature. Quite a number seek to amend
the code to make the provisions of the law
effective, and IN speaking upon these SEN
ator Seaweu shows that he has carefully
studied the cOditied statutes of the State.
He sometimes thinks twice before speak
ing. This is especially noticeable when
interrupted in his address. On such occa-
sions the Senator has habit of weighing
the interruption before replying by seeking
to have the remark repeated His answer
is q dissection. Senator Seaweu dresses
with the plainness Of an Episcopalian cler-
gyman-always in black. If he would
remove mustache and the swarthy growth
on his chin he might be mistaken for one
of the order, that is, of the broad church
but there the resemblance ceases. He has
had long legislative experience, having
served in both houses, and has had a
strong influence in Democratic Senatorial
councils.