The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-06-06
Men Who Attract the Attention of Visitors
to the Senate Chamber.
LEADERS IN THE BIG TARIFF BATTLE
Orators Whose speech CLEANS Lik Q
Polished steel ana Fighters Full OF
Facts-Virginians Who Are Notable
Among Mem of Mark lin Congrc S.
Pen Sketches OF Grent Men.
sWritten for The Sunday Virginian by
Amos J. CunnmingS.)
Washington, D. c., June s, 1897.


Amos J. Cumnlings)
Washington, D. c., June s, 1897.
For two hours the representatives have
been troopng over to the Senate cham
ber It Is the day for the opening Of
the tariff debate. Here is Governor
Dtngley with his battered silk hat, walk
ing In his precise manner, saluting who
ever accoEts him. Here comes McMillin,
playing with his watch chain and talk
Ing Volubly with q constituent. Next
comes Serene Payne, broad-shouldered
and jolly, joking with sturdy James
Sherman, OF Utica, Col. Elliott, OF South
Carolina, passes With n military air, re-
calling the work of his battery at An
tietam. Mr.. Dolliver, of Iowa, is in the
procession, dark-haired and full-eyed,
walking at the side Of an orator from his
own State, fully as brilliant as himself,
Robert G. Cousins Behind them moves
one Of the Speakers ablest lieutenants
on the floor, John Dalzell, Of Pennsylva-
MIA. He is about half the size Of Serene
Payne, but has a mind as active and
alert as his body
Nor are the Populists lost in the pro-
cession. Jerry Simpson and his specta-
Giles are in the stream OF statesmen
John c. Bell, Of Colorado, tall and Draw
ny. Is at his side Behind them comes
Milford w Howard Of Alabama breezy
US Southern pine. and fully as straight.
NOR Is the Southern Democrat unrep-
resented. Claude Swanson, of Virginia
marches through the rotunda like. an
old-tlme cavalier. William a Jones,
sturdy and stanch, is near him, with
the same determined air that made him
figure in the Chicago convention. Gen.
Meyer, of Louisiana, is in the throng,
and DR.. Strait, Of South Carolina, whose
pheasant face always attracts the atten-
tlon Of visitors.
The stream pours through the main
entrance to the Senate chamber. All
the sofas In the rear Of the desks are
quickly filled. The galleries are crowd
ed. It IS a field day. In sooth. All seem
eager for the fray. The Democratic rep
resentatives naturally group themselves
on the Democratic side OF the chamber,
while the Repu blicans go to the right
Each representative greets the Senator
representing the State from which he
comes. Every courtesy IS shown for the
the 1loor, except when the doors are
closed in executive session.
The floor OF the Senate IS q fayorite
lounging place for members Of the
House: The new members are especially
delighted with 1t. 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 It's i1nperturbabie
gravity lmpresses them. There are none
or the turbulent scenes which mark the
action Of the House, whether organized
or disorganized. The routine or the SEN
ate is humdrum and uninterestlng, but
occasionally fires Of patriotism burst int 0
name, and discussions ensue replete with
eloquence and argument There are
senators who are heard with brea thless
interest.
senator German, Of Maryland, is one
or these. He is the recognized Demo-
cratic leader. Cool and impassionatc. he
states his propositions with precision
and clearness, and never wastes words.
lie has his match on the Republican
side OF the chamber in William B. AL
nson, or Iowa Each is extremely cour-
teous, and each carries great weight
Allison s the recognized leader or the
Republicans
have stated that German is cool and
itnpassloned, but at times, like finely
tempered steel In friction, he becomes
Heated. Aliison's temperature, however
is always the same. It does not yary
one degree in q whole term OF service
There Is no trace OF excitement in his
manner, and he carries less heat than a
plaSter-Of-PariE bust
Then the new members Of the House
VINO frequent the chamber are OCCASION
ally greeted with magnificent displays Of
oratory. There are very few speakers
on this continent who equal Roger @.
mills, Of Texas, in brilliancy Of diction
and clearness OF enunciation. He speaks
rapidly, but every sentence is polished
and finished. lie warns up with the
earnestness Of his convictions, and in
ringing voice proclaims them to all thu,
world. regardless or consequences.
Ear different is Senator Hoar OF Mas
sachusetts. In face and figure he re-
calls Horace Greeley. His voice at
times has q high treble, rs had that of
me great editor and philosopher, but It
Is attra ctive rather than repellant.
Metaphorically speaking, he handles an
opponent with gloves made from the
Skins Of mountain kids, and yet at times
q stray needle may be found in one of
the gloves. He has been so long in the
senate that he seems to the manner
porn. Never does he lose his dignity.
and never does he lose an opportunity to
assert It, He seems to live In a. little
void Of his own, yet not hedged With
thorns. Everything within appears
bright and attractive, and the Senator
apparently takes delight III welcoming
ms friends within the sacred Enclosure.
The Junior Senator from Massachu-
setts Is also worthy Of the study of the
visiting representatives. Those from
the South regard him with awe and
curiosity. as he was the author OF the
Force bill. the defeat OF which was due
to Senator German. Mr.. Lodge IS q
model speaker. His thoughts are appar
emily carefully conned and presented in
pleasing attire. Ills voice Is good. and