The herald., 1898-03-25
SENATOR THURsToN

was filled. among. those in 1t being Senoi
Mendonca, the Brazilian minister, and
party; ex-Secretarw Of State John w
Foster and Mrs. Foster. and many ladiei
and gentlemen from the foreign lega.
tions. In few minutes after the SEN
ate convened every senator who could be
present was in his seat, and by the time
Mr. Thurston began his,speech dozens OF
members of the house were either stand
ing or occupying chairs in the arena
without the semi-circle of seats.
A Jar Of roses had been placed on Mr.
Thurston's desk, but he spoke from that
Of Mr.. Hawley in the center of the cham
Der. In his first sentence he said he
spoke by command of silent lips--a deli
cate and touching reference to the loss OF
his wife on his memorable trip to Cuba
commanded instant attention. A hush
fell over the great audience, which hung
with almost breathless attention and
interest upon every word.
Some surprise has been expressed that
Senator Thurston should appear iApub-
lie prominently so soon after the death
of Mrs. Thurston, but the first sentence
Of his speech furnished a key to his &C.
tion. It is true that Mr.. Thurston's
speech today, viewed from one stand
point, was an unusual proceeding, but i!
was justified by the conditions attending
it.
Mrs. Thurston's dying request to hel
husband was that he should lose no time
on account of her death to do his ut
most to save and free Cuba and it's peo-
pie.
In accordance with this request, there
fore, Senator Thurston sacrificed his
personal feeling and delivered his speech
"a speech that was tribute to the
memory Of his wife. Without knowing
the motive which animated Mr.. Thurstor
and inspired him to his best efforts, his
auditors instinctively realized and sym
pathized with his emotion. The speech
was very generally regarded as a mas
terly one. and even those who could not
agree with his conclusions conceded the
power Of his grafton.
AS he neared the end Of the speech his
voice. which had been clear and ring
Ing, noticeably broke. He was almost
overcome with emotion, but rallied with
and effort and closed in manner that
thrilled his audience.
Staid and dignified senators turned
away and wept, and in the galleries tears
welled to hundreds of eyes. 1t was a. re.
markable scene, and the stiffness unit
the. last word had been pronounced wa.
as Of death itself
As Mr.. Thurston sank into his seat ant
buried his face in his hands, the gallerie.
were swept by such tumult of applaus,
as has not In long time been heard
In the senate chamber.
AZ a brother might have done, Mr. Al.
len, Mr.. Thurston's colleague from Ne
braska, walked to him and, placing hi,
arm over his shoulders, quietly led hin
from the chamber. The act was one o1
the spontaneous and touching amenitie.
amid the turbulence and disoord Of DO.
litical life.
r BUSINESS BEGUN
On the floor the Senators were early
IN their seats and here and there about
the chamber was member of the
House Of Representatives.
A bill was passed amending section
44s2 of the revised statutes relating to
barges The bill provides for life saving
appliances and hull inspection Of all
vessels In tow and carrying passengers.
NJ. Allison Of Iowa moved that when