The age-herald., 1897-12-28

1t, and to drop the acid of sarcasm upon the exposed flesh. His diction is not fowery, nor is he particularly graceful in manner or gesture, but he avails himself of words that burn and opportunities that bring disaster upon rash assailants He is said to be a candidate for governor of Pennsylvania, but if so he seems to be entirely unaware of it.
 Payne an Excellent Chairman
 The chairman of the committee of the whole, while the bill was under considera- tion, was Serene Payne of New York. A striking figure, with bushy, gray hair and close e-trimmed beard, he commands the att tention of the house and fascinates the galleries. Payne is indirectly responsible for the passage of the Raines law in the New York legislature. Raines and himself were rival republican candidates for con- gress after the last apportionment. The contest was lively and entertaining, but Serene was the victor, and has been a fixture in the house ever since. As balm for his wounds Raines was sent to the state senate, where he concocted the law that proved fatal in the municipal con- test that inaugurated the Greater New York. =
 Payne is second to Dingley on the ways and means and, in Dngley's absence, frequently leads the, majority on the floor. He is a favorite for chairman in committee of the whole and one who acquits himself to the satisfaction of both the minority and the majority. In addition to other &C., complishments he has won a reputation as post-prandial speaker and his services are in great demand in Washington until Lent cuts off the season of dinners and intensifies discussions at the capitol The re-entry of Gen. John H. Ketcham into political life makes Payne no longer the dean of the New York delgation. Ketcham will have been ai member of congress twen- rc xUbp 10 X- pires, and Payne fourteen years
 Gen. Bingham on the Floor
 The second of the great appropriation bills considered before the holidays was the legislative, executive and judicial bill. Gen. Harry Bingham, of Philadelphia, was its sponsor both in committee and on the floor of the house. The umpire in committee of the whole was Albert Hopkins, of Illi- nois. Bingham Is an expert in the man agement of appropriation bills. For years he was chairman of the committee on post offices and pest roads, andl had charge of the postoffice appropriation bill. It is one of the most difficult bills to handle in the house; yet Bingham always brought II through in great shape after furious sklr- mishing all along the line. He Is a dapper gentleman, neat in attire and appearances and extremely gracious in manner. All his troubel over the legislative, executive, and judicial bill arose from the appropriation for the civil service. The pressure of hun gry office-seekers was greater than ever under the new administration. A bitter onset was made under the leadership Of General Gosvernor, of Ohio. While ma jority of the democrats undoubtedly Ia vorcld a repeal of the law, they were not willing to modify it in the interests of as- pirants for office.
 There has been no opportunity to repeal the law in previous congresses, and there will be none in this. The committee on reform of the civil service is invariably composed of friends of the measure. It is rare indeed that even the courtesy of a hearing is granted to those introducing bills for the repeal of the law. The only blow that can be struck at 1t under the rules is to knock out the appropriation for its support. Unable to kill it. those op- posed to it have the privilege of trying to starve it to death It was this effort that annoyed Gen. Bingham, and gave him so much trouble. He was aided materially in his fight, however, by MT. Hopkins, the chairman of the committee of the whole. Hopkins is a gentleman with auburn hair and mustache. He is plausible and persis- tent. and is responsible for the failure of the house to make appropriations in the last congress for armor plate to complete the battleships now on the stocks. He is frequently called to the chair by the speaker, and is a trusty presiding officer.
 AMOS J. CUMMINGS.