Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-17
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMISSIONERS
Difference in Temperament Of the
Five Statesmen.
THE PRESIDENTS TRUSTEES


prove SO. He has none of the mannersms
of men who have served long in public life,
and his slender form and peculiarly quiet
expression of countenance give the impress
sion of a retiring disposition, which would
be likely to lead him to defer to the judg-
ment of others. 1t is but superficial view
of the man, however, that gives this i'm
preston. A more careful study Of his face
and observation of his manner discloses
quality of great firmness and a persistence
of purpose He is a man of fixed opinions,
which he arrives at through peculiarly
penetrating course of reasoning along lines
which, though perhaps somewhat narrow
are very clearly defined. His habits of
thought are such as come to one of good
Intellectual endowment, through a wide
range of study, but a narrow field of OBJ
serVation. There appears little that is emo
tlonal. imaginative or sentimental in his
composition He probably enters upon the
work of the commission with a very well
defined policy in mind toward the accom-
plishment he will work steadily without
always fully disclosing his purpose even to
his colleagues.
Frye's Vfgor and Eloquence.
The most vigorous man on the commits
sion is Senator Frye, and probably from
the first there will be test between them
of the domination force of two distinctly
opposite qualities of mind. Where Day is
infiexibly cool and argues with a perfectly
efnotlonless logic, Frye has the gift of a
pecullarly forceful eloquence, which over
leaps small chickering's and gets at the very
meat of subject by an intuitive generali-
cation, followed by an incisive ANALYSIS
Which few can successfully contend against
He has remarkably broad conceptiOn and
a ready understanding of the real meaning
and Importance of things. There are few
men in the Senate who can so well main
tam a position as can he. He can say more
in fewer words than can any of his COL
leagues, ana there Is an earneStness about
him which compels attention His exneri-
ence, as well his reading has been
broad, and he is exceedingly we'll eauinned
in respect to international and commercial
questions On general principles it is as
sumed that he is an expansionist He was
one OF the strongest advocates of the an
neXauon of Hawaii, and takes an interest
III 'i!e question or the extension of our COM
merce on the Pacific. He has however re-
Trained from expressing any opinion on the
fhllipplne question, and there is much un-
certainty where he stands wit. regard TO r.
mat VIII depend probably upon whether
from his study of the question he regards
the possession of the L 4iilinpines as i'm =
portant to the development of orr trade
in the orient. Though a good deal Of an
expansionist. it may readily be conceived
these islands. But if ne takes a position i1
favor of the acquisition of territory there
will be peculiar struggle between him
and Day for the domination Of the commits
sion. In dealing with the Spanish commits
sioners he will probably be the most efTec-
tive member of the American commission
Iof ne viii keep them constantly I'D to the
point at issue, and will not permit anv
cLoudlng OF the negotiations, according to
the usual Spanish method.
Clear and Comprehensive Davis
Senator Davis has an entirely different
disposition and intellectual makeup from
either OF these. His reasoning is not so
ii:cisiye as mat or Frye, nor so cold and
penetrating as that of Day. He is nna
OF the best read men in the Senate,
and his method of thought and form Of
expression is affected by his love of the
Classics. Ordinarily he is q silent man
and rather inclined toward Incidence INF
when he enters upon any work he is inter-
ested in he masters 1T with wonderful
pIomptness, not leaving single detail
without consideration. He can state his
case with a clearness which leaves no
opening Tor 1t TO be questioned, and he de-
tends his position with an energy and COM
prehensiVeness Of expression that is cur
Prlslng: He insists on doing things fer
himself, and is not apt to be greatly in
huenced by argument or eloquence having
thoroughly examined into the question and
discounted arguments in opposition to his
own views before going into a contel lion.
III point OF learning and broad comprehen-
SION ne Is likely 10 prove the peer Of GQy
one he may meet on the other side. He
and Frye are apt to agree on International
questions, and it Is well understood that he
is in a general way in favor Of retaining
the Philippines.
Conservative Gray.
Senator Gray is outspoken in opposition
to the acquisition of territory by the
United States. He does not want salt
water between Washington and any of the
territory of this government. But even
if he and Day agree in not wanting to
take the Philippines their line of reasoning
will be so different that he may not prove
very strong support to Day in mainra in
ing that position. He is apt to base his
opposition to expansion on grounds which
Day will not be willing to occupy, as they
would furnish the basis for an argument
against what We have done in Hawaii and
Porto Rico or may do IN Cuba, as they
would against the acquisition of the Phil
ippine group. Gray Is IL forceiul man up
to a certain point, but he is not So incisive
as Frye, so clear as Davis, so cen
sistent as Day. He does not always sus-
tain the power he at first gives indication
of possessing, and his natural !oftiness
of position sometimes carries his reason
ing above the plain of practically. He
will be apt to incline toward brushing
aside all consideration Of me material in
terests of this government that may be
involved and to consider only ethics or
what he will contend for as an "estab-
lished principle
Diplomatic Reid.
Editor Reid in his newspaper has figured
as a vigorous expansionist. In addition to
holding his own in the American councils
he will be conspicuously useful in the fled
of diplomacy in dealing with the Spanish
representatives.
OF course the commission is not going to
be a debating society, and much OF the
general policy to be followed has been oe-
termined upon In advance by the Iresi-
dent, but there is enough latitude given
the commission to make much depend upon
the force of the individual members in i'm
pressing upon the whole commission ideas
for the determination of the ultimate
course to be followed.
SchIey Could Tell Them.
From Puck.
Spanish authorities are said TO be divided
on the question whether the naval battle Of