Evening star., 1897-06-05
co THERE TO LEARN
The Senate is a Popular Place With
New Representatives.
WHEN TEE TARIFF DEBATE Is On
Frequently Have the Chance to
Enjoy Flights Of Oratory.
LEADERS ON BOTH SIDES

Written for The Evening Star.
For two hours the representatives have
been trooping over to the Senate chamber
It Is the day for the opening Of the tariff
debate. Here is Governor Dingley with his
battered silk hat. walking In his precise
manner. saluting whoever accosts him.
Here comes McMillin. playing with his
watch chain and talking volubly with a
constituent. Next comes Serene Payne,
broad-shouldered and jolly. joking with
sturdy James Shermahsof Utica. Col Ell
lott Of South Carolina passes with a MILL
tary air. recalling the work of his battery
at Antietam. Mr.. Dolliver of Iowa is In
the procession, dark-haired and full-eyed,
walking at the side of an orator from his
own state, full as brilliant as himself, Rob-
the Speakers ablest lieutenants on the
floor. John Dalzell of Pennsylvania. He is
about half the size of Serene Payne, but
has mind IS active and alert as his body.
Nor are the populists lost in the process
sion. Jerry Simpson and his spectacles are
IN the stream OF statesmen. John c. Bell
OF Colorado tall and brawny, Is at his side.
Behind them comes Milford W. Howard of
Alabama, breezy as a southern pine, and
fully as straight.
Nor is the southern democrat unrepre-
sented. Claude Swanson of Virginia,
marches through the rotunda, like an old
time cavalier. William A. Jones, sturdy
and stanch, is near him, with the same de-
termined air that made him a figure in the
Chicago convention. Gen. Meyer of Louis
lana Is in the throng, and DR.. Strait Of
South Carolina. whose pleasant face al
ways attracts the attention Of visitors.
The stream pours through the main en-
trance to the Senate chamber. All the
in 10 nf he cEC 1xy
filed. The galleries are crowded. It is q
field day, in sooth. All seem eager for the
fray. The democratic representatives nat
urally group themselves on the democratic
side of the chamber, while the republicans
go to the right. Each representative greets
the senator representing the state from
which he comes. Every courtesy Is shown,
for the representatives are always well
coined to the floor, except when the doors
are closed in executive session.
A Favoritc Lounging Place.
The floor Of the Senate is favorite
lounging place for members of the House.
The new members are especially delighted
with it. AS no committees have yet been
appointed in the House, they are at sea as
to its methods and usages. The Senate
being thoroughly organized, they watch its
proceedings with much interest. Its i'm
perturbable gravity impresses them. There
are none of the turbulent scenes which
mark the action of the House, whether or
ganized or disorganized. The routine of
the Senate is humdrum and uninteresting,
but occasionally fires of patriotism burst
into fame and discussions ensue replete
with eloquence and argument. There are
senators who are heard with breathless in
tereSt.
Senator German Of Maryland is one of
these. He is the recognized democratic
leader. Cool and impassionate, he states his
propositions with precision and clearness,
and never wastes words. He has his match
on the republican side of the chamber in
William B. Allison of Iowa. Each Is ex-
tremely courteous, and each carries great
weight. Allison is the recognized leader of
the republicans.
81 have stated that German is cool and
impassioned, but at times. like finely tenn
Allison's temperature. however, is always
the same. It does not vary one degree in
a whole term of service. There is no trace
of excitement in his manner and he carries
less heat than plaster-of-Paris bust.
Then the new members of the House who
frequent the chamber are occasionally
greeted with magnificent displays of ora
tory. There are very few speakers on this
continent who equal Roger .. Mills of
Texas in brlliancy of diction and clearness
of enunciation. He speaks rapidly, but
every sentence is polished and finished. He
warns up with the earnestness of his con-
victions, and in a ringing voice proclaims
them to all the world, regardless of conse-
quenceS.
Recalls Horace Greeley.
Far different is Senator Hoar of Massa-
chusetts. In face and figure he recalls
Horace Greeley. His voice at times has
high treble, as had that of the great editor
and philosopher, but it is attractive rather
than repellant Metaphorically speaking,
he handles opponent with gloves made
from the skins of mountain kids and yet at
times a stray needle may be found in one
of the gloves. He has been SO long in the
Senate that re seems TO the manner born.
Never does he lose his dignity, and never
does he lose an opportunity to assert it.
He seems to live in little world of his
own. yet not hedged with thorns. Every
thing within appears bright and attractive,
and the senator apparently takes delight
In welcoming his friends within the sacred
Enclosure.
The junior senator from Massachusetts
is also worthy of the study of the visit
ing representatives Those from the south
regard him with awe and curiosity, as he
was the author of the Force bill. the de-
feat of which was due to Senator German.
Mr.. Lodge is model speaker. His
thoughts are apparently carefully conned