Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-04-18
EDWARD G. DANA.
WASHINGTON LETTER
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE

This is probably Y only equivalent To
saying that the oratory Of today is not
the same kind OF oratorv to which
Congress was accustomed 90 years ago.
The oratory of the days of Webster,
Clay and Benton was the oratory of
evenly balanced sentences, of long
sonorOus periods, of ornate and Ia
bored climaxes, of general stately,
elaborate and digniiied style. An
orator of the old school studied
rhetorical effect, and no doubt
he mouthed his productions mag
He was an artist in words,
i'll facial expression and i'll gestures,
but after all there was ii great deal OF
how about him. There WAS much
that was pyrotcchni,al and spectacular
about his efforts. Today the average
congressman simply talks III conver-
sational tone, says what he has to say
as any well-iniormed man might
say it, and sits down without any
ut all. He doesn't
make as much show as con-
gresham of earlier days, but he prob
ably brings quite as much conviction
to his hearers. Ii IL congressman of
today, however, should attempt the
stately style the classical illusions, the
drawn-out climaXes and thunderous
periods OF 80 years ago, he would be
received with shouts of inextinguish.
able laughter. He would simply make
himself target for rldicule. This
shows how radically oratorical method
change in half century.
DIsREGARDs RuLEs-Joe Cannon is
the only man in the House who dares
disregard the rules against smoking
on the floor since speaker Reed began
to enforce them. Joe is n non-con-
formist by nature, and he has ner-
yous temperament that puts him be-
yond ordinary regulations, SO that
nobody seems to mind it much If he
occasionally takes puff in the midst
of the excitement OF an appropriation
bill. 1t is curious, though, that now
a-days a cigar on the floor of the
House causes as much comment AS II
cigar on the floor OF tho Senate, which
shows how vigorously Reed is cnforc-
ing the rules, for always, up to this
Congress, moking has been rs common
on the floor of the House as i'll the
cloak rooms. The W. G. Il. u. GER
tainly have ground to be thankful, and
the resolutions they passed about Reed
are we'll deserved.
STATESMEN ON WHEELS Two more
statesmen have taken to the wheel.
Wolcott aud Steve Elkins have blos-
somed out, and they go Chandler and
Joe Cannon one better by showing up
in natty bicycle suits, with knicker-
bockers and sweaters, caps and blouses.
Wolcott is the better wheelman OF the
two. In fact, he puts up the best form
of any of the Washington group. He
takes long spins in the country ont
over the Cabin Johns road, and he
comes back after three or four hours
OF it as fresh and blooming as peach.
THE SAME OLD REED-Don't take
any stock in any stories about Tom
Reed having changed since he became
candidate for president. They are
all the product OF vivid imaginntions.
He is the same Tom Reed that he has
always been, and nobody could sns-
pect from his manner that he was a
candidate for anything. He is as jovial
as ever. His humor is us efferves-
cent, bis sallies as bright, his satire as
puugent, rs in the days when he used
to be the daily centre of crowds OF con-
gressmen upon the floor Of the House.
all eager to catch every incisive re-
mark that fell from his lips. OF course,
he can't 'minglo" quite SO much as
lie did once, because it isn't in the
nature of things that man with the
responsibilities OF the speaker upon
him can break away whenever he
chooses from the drudgery and routine
of the place and when you recollect
that he has to keep within bounds
big and unweildy majority, to say
nothing of small and mischiev-
GUS minority, you have little idea
of the pressure that must be on him
all the time. But, in spite Of his re-
sponsibilities and his aspirations, he
is Just as full of spirit and good-fel-
lowship as he was 12 months ago. Reed
is philosopher. He is not consumed
with ambition, and he is willing to ac-
cept whatever the future has in store
for him. II he is nominated he will
be glad of it, and he isn't squeamish
about saying 80. If he isn't nomiuat-
ed he can worry along very comforta-
bly,, and he will find life just as full
and just as enjoyable in some other
way. He isn't losing bit OF sleep.
But whether lie is nominated or not,
he will continue to be wholesome, gen.
uine and hearty, true to his friends
and terror to his enemies. THERE'S
no humbug about him. He can't
,ose.
MECHANICAL PoLITENEss-Is the art
II being polite to become a purely
mechanical accomplishment in the
near future? 1t looks that way, in
view of the latest device which has Sc.
cured the approval of the patent Office
in Washington. Its inventor calls it
saluting device. and in tho opinion
of the experts in the patent Office it be-
trays an originality and ingenuity that
entitle it to the governments imprima-
tur. When attached to the ordi-
nary head it relieves the wearer OF
the manual labor of lifting his hat
when he meets an acquaintance
and his hands are otherwise engaged.
All he has to do to accomplish this is
to slightly nod. The motion starts
the machinery which is in the interior
of the tile. The hat is suddenly hoisted
about one foot above the head, on an
like that attached to self
dumping coal cart. Then, after re.
at rest moment, it describes
a semi-circle and settles back upon the
Uranium. Who says the Yankeel ~
ISN'T ingenioun and polite ?
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Warning to Wives.