The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-27

names at roll-can Work on the naval COM
mittee at that time. when the war was on,
meant work of vital interest TO the Nation.
D'ARMOND ON THE FLOOR.
The disadvantage of attending such COM
mittee work was evidently quickly seen
by Judge De Almond, of Missouri, one of
the readiest and ablest debaters on the
fioor-a man who has rapidly forged to the
front, and who. by many, is regarded as a
Democratic leader. He was appointed a
member of the committee on naval affairs.
When he found that it's duties required his
absence from the House while in session, he
asked to be relieved from service this
committee. By his absence in committee he
lost the thread of legislation in the House.
ana could not follow and thoroughly under
ferred to remain in the arena to watch the
struggles over measures of legislation, be-
heving that he could be of far more serv-
ice to his constituents there than in work
on the naval committee. At all events,
like his distinguished colleague, Mr.. Bland,
House, if able to attend them. He watches
its proceedings with more than ordinary in
terest and is ever ready to participate in
them. In this respect he is much like Crisp.
he has already developed his capacity for
leadership, and it may make him the
Democratic candidate for speaker in the
has not been demonstrated by Mr.. Dock
cry. Mr.. Sayers, Mr.. Cannon, others
whose names are prominent IN congressional
annals, because their work is done in COM
mittee and they rarely take part in. debate,
except when bills reported from their COM
mitteeS are under consideration.
QUIETLY ATTENDING TO BUSINESS.
There are rockets and Roman candles
among the members who attend every ses-
sion of the House. but at the Same time the
man who is always at his desk is really "the
man behind the gun" He may be quiet and
unobstrusive ne may devote his time to
writing letters and to looking out for the
individual interests of his constituents, but
he is always in his place and answers to his
name whenever party interests Nare at stake.
Messengers are not seeking him in commit
tee rooms and elsewhere when party inter-
ests require his presence He studies the
calendar, and is well up in the code of pro-
cedure. Re is the good and faithful servant,
who assumed his duties conSceRtiouSly, and
Is as conScfentiouSly performing them
Such men form the real strata OF the House.
They listen to proSaic speeches and the
monotonous humdrum of legislation, but
solace themselves with quiet chats with
their adjoining friends and neighbOrs, and
occasionally have their blood quickened by
brilliant passages at arms No man can tell
what this strata may develop. The soil is
rich. 1t is composed mostly of business and
professional men. Each understands his
own business thoroughly, and is equally
competent to attend to the business of the
House. There may come a day when some
measure of doubtful utility is brought to the
front. No one seems to be able to make a
satisfactory explanation at such times, and
men on both sides are in doubt as to what
course to take. Suddenly man who has
not heretofore appeared in debate takes the
floor. He is sure of hearing, because he
has never spoken before, and those who lis
ten to him are satisfied that he would not
rise without he thoroughly understood the
question at issue. Such speeches are always
the best that are made in Congress, and
they usually attract the least attention from
the outside.
This strata contains the seeds of leadership
and an untoward situation is apt to reveal
them. Neither Conkling, Reed, Randall OF
Blaine took any active part during their
first term in Congress. Conkling and Ran
dali remained entirely silent, and no one
dreamed that either of them would ever rise
to the prominence which they afterward at
tanned The Populsts have never had any
trouble with regard to leadership When
their interests are at stake leader always
appears and his colleagues are loyal. In
the Fifty-third Congress LATE Pence was a
recognized leader among them, and he was
not their candidate for speaker In the
present Congress Jerry Simpson is the rec
oenized leader and he was not their candi-
date for speaker The truth is, that eau
cuseS are called at the beginning of each
Congress to select candidates for speaker.
clerk sergeant-at-arms and other official
POSITIONS and not to select leaders of their
RI in "a