The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-03-26
REPARTEE IN CONGRESS
SPECIMENS OF SAUOY TALK IN THE
 SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

Bits of Handled Impromptu Debate Often More Memorable Than Scholarly Ora tions.
 Many tilt in congress has become historic, and many a philippic in the Capitol stands prominent in congress sional "reminiscences. At least once a day in some part of the United States John Randolph's characterization of John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay is repeated. Nor is Randolph's encounter with the Rhode Island shoemaker who became a United States senator for gotten. It was equalled, however, in modern days by William M. Springer's encounter with Tom Reed, and the passage at-arms between General Spi- nola and Elijah Adams Morse. MT. Springer was addressing the house upon some question of public policy. In fluent language he outlined his ideas, filling in the interstices with CO., PlOu5 QuOtdllOllo ttIlt ilFCeiliS SAiSiAA with Illinois logic. As he concluded the great man from Maine threw open the lid of his desk and disclosed an old copy of "The Congressional Rec ord" Turning over it's leaves he brought to light a choice intellectual morsel. He read the extract to the house, with a broad Yankee pronuncia- tion. It was a complete refutation of the argument of the member from Hi nois. The reading ended, MT. Reed threw ..The Congressional Record into his desk and closed the lid. Then, turning to MT. Springer, he remarked in a clear tone of voice: Such was the language of the gentleman from Illinois in the xLIVth congress" He made no comment, but took his seat, the house regarding the Illinois mem- Der with Some astonishment.
 Mir. Springer arose somewhat ner- vously. In hurried words he began his reply. He said that this was an age of progress-progress in art, science and politics. Aside from this, conditions change. The surrounding circum- stances in the XLIvth congress were different. Beyond all this, mems opin- ions change. Sir Robert Peel, when advocating the corn laws, was by no means the Sir Robert Peel of twenty years before
 Wise men were always governed by their convictions, regardless of former opinions. He (Mr. Springer) was no exception to the general rule In the language of an eminent American statesman, The would rather be right than be President"
 '.Yes," replied MT. Reed, drawling out the words, ''but you'll never be kitf1er.''
 The house was convulsed with laugh ter. It was hit so palpable that it was some minutes before the members could be brought to order.
 The tilt between General Spinola and Elijah Adams Morse was equally as Entertaining. The general always wore an enormous standing collar. It was so large that it is said that Tim Campbell approached him one day and tapped the collar with the ferrule of his cane, apologetically asking, ''Is Gene ral Spinola within?" Mr. Morse was making a sort of prohibition speech against the sale of intoxicating liquors in army canteens. General Spinola S had interrupted him several times, and in reply the Massachusetts statesman finally twitted him upon the size of his collar. It stung the general to the quick. Taking the floor some minutes afterward, he called attention tc Morse's language. My collar said he. unlike the gentleman from Massa- chusetts, is immediately clean, and ii 1t was twice as high as it is, and was man from Massachusetts, it would moi serve to hide his ears"
 The general was a political curio He had a striking face and martia air. In the List congress he threw the house into convulsions by pointing to the painting representing a scene al the siege of Yorktown and gravely ac. cusing Speaker Reed of counting the Hessians therein to make up a quorum
 There has been many tilt since the holiday recess of more or less interest One between William P. Hepburn, ot Iowa, and Champ Clark, of Missouri was extremely amusing. It occurred during an effort to divide the time fol debate on the civil service bili. MT Hepburn assumed that the time would be divided between those who favored the repeal of the measure and those who were opposed to any modification He said that the gentlemen on tht other side, referring to the democratic side, were in favor of the destruction of the present system. There was { large number of gentlemen who sim ply wanted it modified. That made three sides in the house.
 Here Champ Clark broke into tht ring. "I would like to know" said he how you come to the conclusion tha everybody on this side is in favor O the repeal of the whole business?"
 Simply because that would bt wrong MT. Hepburn responded There was general laughter. ChamI himself joined in, while Hepburn. party friends applauded to the echo. Not long afterward MT. Pearson, O North Carolina, was discussing tn, question. He was denouncing the civi service commission when MT. Swan son, of Virginia asked him to yield fo a question. Pearson protested, ant Swanson persisted, saying: q an with you in this matter, but want t, ask you a question"
 In reply MT. Pearson said: q knov my friend is all right, but let me reacl my verb with few adjectives, and will listen to him"