New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-01
AHALF-FORGOTTEN LEADER
OMAR n. CONGER'S EXPERIENCE IN THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
SPEAKER REEDS CLEVER ARTICLE ABOUT HIM
AND HIS EXPERIENCES THERE-AN ANAL
OGY BETWEEN THE TWO MEN

made in the House translated him to the SEN
ate and then he became Senator" This is the
concluding paragraph Of Mr. Reeds clever ar
tice, "A Half Forgotten Leader" published In
recent number of The Illustrated American,
ana one has read it with a keener appre-
citation Of its humor than the subject OF the
sketch Mr. Conger who finds himself, through
his former colleagues tribute. from being half
forgotten an object of present public interest.
Mr.. Reeds liking for the Wolverine for so
many years the most conspicuous man in Con-
gress, which he avOws in the opening para
graphs of his article is not difficult for any one
who knows something of the characters and
careers of these two men TO understand. They
have many characteristics in common: their
point Of view is almost IDENTICAL and their man
in debate and their methods of making or
repulsing at ack are sinsularly alike. Inc
episodes the Speaker cites to illustrate Mr. Con
gers humors would be equally characteristic OF
himself and in looking back over "The Record
for the period Mr.. Conger was the leader of the
House one is impressed with the fact that his
management of a debate his fencing at close
quarters resembles in a remarkable degree the
tactics Mr. Reed adopts.
The stories told Ia this article illustrate TINS
especially the ones in which Mr.. Conger spares
his friend Randolph Tucker. whose genial man
ners and pleasant personality made MN the
friend as well of every one, and his suppress
sion of the agile Springer. Mr.. Reed tells theSe
stories in an admirable way:
SURPRISING SPRINGER.
1t was in that debate. think or among the
preliminaries that Mr. Conger described ana
partially suppressed Mr. Springer OF limos
That gentleman had readiness OF speeCh
which properly belonged to another pouy' %
Mr. Conger said that Mr.. Springer had as
cuSsed this question in the previous StSSlpH'
no." said Springer promptly. Il never ais
cussed this question last session WE'LL saIu
Conger slowly and deliberately, u appear 10
gentlemen on this side of the chamber, ana 10
gentlemen on the other side of the chamber
the speeches made by the gentleman last So
sion did not give me right TO thlilk ne id t
snoken on every subject. and l appeal to the
gentleman himself II, had referred TO any
other subject he could have made that reply
\ great laughter reduced his opponent TO d u
ouodue retort and Conger went on
After the departure Of Garfield to assume 'he
Presidency. and the transfer or Hale ana Fly
to the Senate, the leadership OF the fiouse
seemed 70 fall upon Conger 1t was a queer
leadership but full Of excitement, ana the
House has never been so amusing since ne itI'
II Mr. COnger was thoroughly skilled IN the
parliamentary law Of the body, and knew all tne
sinuosties which then INSTRUCTED business ne
had also most thorough knowledge or the men
he was ptted against. He was merclIess wren
no had an opponent foul, but had above all,
keen sense Of the ludicrous and s" |hen Kan
dolph Tucker whom everybody LED Dut Wh"
heen shown to him a charger, was one DAY
in the chair of the Committee OF the Whole. ana
declared in grave sincerity that there could De
no appeal from the decision Of the Chair in Com
rnittee Of the Whole, all looked to see Con.
ger tear him to pieces but to the surprise OF
everybody he smiled and said in tone OF voice
which expressed utter hopelessness. Well, II
ANYBODY else had said that would not nave pe-
lieved it," and took his seat
Mr. Conger remembers both OF the incidents
and thew still furnish him merrment springer
was especially irritating to the member from
Michigan. who regarded him as his natural prey
and WAS always after him about something or
other But Tucker was his warm friend, man
he highly esteemed and cordially liked
con this OCCASION" Mr.. Conger says, Il rose
from my seat for the purpose Of fighting Tuck
cr and every one was waiting to see what l
would do But as ! stood there looking at the
Speaker pro tenn. picture Of proud content
smiling in a satisfied way at his own famous
conduct Of the business Of the Chair and re-
allied that h. was as ignorant as a babe In
arms Of parliamentary law, / determined to
snare him. and the incident terminated as Mr.
Reed relates it,"
The resemblance between these two men, the
half forgotten leader and the so-called Gar
whose name is in everybody's mouth can be
carried further While Mr.. COnger held the
leadership Of the Republican party in the House
he had the absolute confidence Of his followers
the same confidence that is willingly given
TO Mr. Reed to-day, and which was honestly
earned by these skilful parliamentarians. who
60 often delivered their party when 1t was