New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-09

Harris indeed carried his years well to the last.
| and up to six months ago there was little In his
manner appearance to show that he had already
ovorstcpped by nearly a decade the three-score-
and-tcn limit peremptorily set by The Hebrew
Psaimist.
Senator Harrs's carriage and bearing had always
something precise and military about them. His
white r1ustachc stood on, as hercely and men,
acngly as 4 French brIgadier's and his manner
vas o.ten that OF martinez drillnaster overawin@
n draft OF recruits. ~ debate ms peppery
qualities were sure 10 come 20 the surface AZ the
first provccation ana there was always rush
into the Senate galleries when it was learned that
Mr.. Harris hoi come about 10 come into
collision with colleague worthy OF his steel
During Tho fight -. ihe passage OF the WILSON,
German Tariff bill IN 1921, Mr.. Harris who was
ore OF the three Democratic leaders in charge OF
that measure, too. OCCASION several times to rap
sharply at Senator Hill for his actious opposition
to The policy of the Democratic Steering Commit
to- Mr. Hill took the nrgs of his venerable col
;cague COR awhile in good part but finally resent
mont got the better of the New-York Senator's
urhanity, and h. exclaimed angrily:
Let me tel ;hc gentleman from Tennessee that
his display of plantation manners does not ter
rify me"
Nor an to - terrified" retorted Mr.. Harris
tartly. by the Powery bravado OF the Senator
from Now-Yorb"
| Mr. Harriss ora,ory WAS conspicuous for its
| vehemence and intensity. He spoke with DELHI
Grafton, but threw into his sentences all the en-
phass Of which he capable so that his talks
| on the floor of tie { nate, generally brief and
casual in character, seemed always srikingy crisp
! and pungent. The Tennessee Senator rarely cared
| 20 discuss any other questions than those Of par
| liamentary privilege and order, and in all such
disputes his Judgment was accepted as wcllnigh
| infable He was one OF tlc stanchest uphoders
of the rule and practice % unlimited debate ana
always repealed with scorn the suggestion that the
previous question could become part OF the Sem
ate's parliamentary procedure. except by the free
| consent of the minority 10 the adoption OF the
closure plan This view he expressed from time
to time with his accustomed vehernence and ex-
travagance Of phrase and gesture. During the
fight in 1898 for the repeal OF the purchasing
clause of the Sherman act lie went SO far, ac-
cording TO interview published In The New
York Sun" as to say that presiding officer
| could close debate In the Senate and live. This
| statement naturally excited storm Of criticism
| and comment which Mr.. Harris met by explain
| ing that he was misunderstood. having simply
Wead aG Ho o o nS The senate rules
apply the previous question by mere force. The
/ Tennessee Senator unlike some or his Democratic
colleagues. remained rue to his theory Of unre-
striced debate 70 the lasI For ne was as much
| the opposition in 1894, when the Wilson German
the fodee Election bill and the wilson Voorhees,
! bill repeating the purchasing clauses or the Sner-
nGi M Y for Who
! equally with Mr. Harris contended for freedom
OF debate in 1921 and iS,. found discussion wearl-
some and Improbable wncn directed against the
! Democratic Tariff bill Of 1894. and ncontinently
! Joined Mr.. Hill In advocacy of "A change OF the
rules. Mr.. Harris however, always scrupu-
| lous parliamentary leader to give the oppo.
siton all the rights which when in the minority
he had demanded fer himself.
! one OF the sO-cailed Senatorial trumvirate who,
through the agency OK the Bmetallic league e
! gained control OF the Democratic organizations IN
enough States to insure free coinage majority
In the National Convention of 1896 Senator Harris.
was expected 10 play conspicuous role at Chcago
! last June Though he came at the head or the
Tennessee delegation and sat through the conVen-
tior ne took active hand in its management
AT of the earliest sessions a Chicago policeman
mistook him for an interloper and hustled him OUT
I of the hall with violence and dispatch The shak
/ ing-up. though not serious had depressing ef-
feet on the aged Senator and he seemed thereafter
interest decidedly in the doings of the pan
Gemonum which eliminated few days later III
the nomination of W. ]. Bryan for the Presidency
Mr.. IIarris's last term began on March j. 1873
adm ne had still nearly four years OF II to serve.
He had been a Senator continuously since March
). 1871 little twenty years.