The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1898-04-01
NAYI0NAL CAPIYAL
An Interesting Letter From Our Regu
lar Correspondent.
HERsEY PENS ENTERTAININGLY
Tells What Is Going On in the Way of
Local Gossip - What Montana's
Representatives Are Doing.

lnently in the public eye today that do
the commanding chiefs of the two
sides of the popular branch of the
American congress - Representative
Nelson Dingley of Maine and Joseph
W. Bailey of Texas. I say two sides,
for while the East and of the hall Of the
house Of representatives is divided
nominally between democrats, populists
and silver republicans, all answer the
roll call under the same parliamentary
captaincy, though they may really
differ. as. indeed, they do often SO
differ, on many vital points Of party
policy.
Mr.. Dingley is living presentment
of the operation of the potential forces
of favoring circumstances in politics,
factor Of vast Importance in the evo-
luton of fame, in this as in other
fields Of human endeavor, nor is this
to be construed to be in derogation of
the really high qualities Of the man.
Entering upon public life as far back
as 1862, and prominently associated
with state politics from 1856, the
Maine statesman failed in any large
sense to attract national renOwn until
in the 55th congress he was called by
his great colleague in the chair, Tom
Reed. to the headship of the commit
tee on ways and means OF the house.
In the chamber of this, the most i'm
portant agency of congress, the hear
ings took place out of which the tariff
experts drew the warp and woof OF
the Dingley bill and thus the name of
the Maine statesman came to lllu-
mine the nation in new and radiant
sunburnt Of fame. Yet, as l have
said, these illusions are not made to
detract from the real breadth aud
strength of character which distinguish
the chairman of the committee. it is
no depreciation of geatness to point
out the action Of the forces and envi-
ronments through which it has ripenec
, the name of Wellington, without Wa
terloo, would long since have perished
nor would the world have known the
serene fulness and splendor OF Lin
coins mind or the superb military
genius of Grant, save for the acciden
tai sectional dissensions which gave tx
their conquering genius its needed
though tragic, opportunity.
Nelson Dincley was born at Du1hay
Naine, in 1888 be graduate a. Da1r
mouth in 1885, entered upou tie prac
t!ce of law in the s,i,ne year, but ln,
mediately afterWartls-in 18Jj--he be
came proprietor ana editor of the Lew
iston Journal, which connection h
has ever since retained. Entering tn
- state Legislature IN 1862 be served sew
eral terms, being speaker OF that bod
], in 1853 he was governor Of Maine
A 1874 and 1875; WIS delegate TO til
/, national republican couveutlOn /
Il 1876: was elected TO the 47th copgres
4 in 1891 TO succeed Lon. Wm. T
i FRYE: was reelected as representative
n at large OF fde 46-n congress and wa
"A therefore elected to tho 49th. 5Otll
\ 51th, 52a, 53d oath aud 10Th cor
Il gresses. In person the Maine represeL
n tative is Of medium height an
II weight; he is Of dark almost sWarth
Il complexion, is slightly bald an
Il wears close cropped beard and mou!
Il tache. His face is strikingly FL brai
4 in type and marked by the characteri!
b tic shrewdne.s Of the typical Yankee
4 while also bearing the lines of the str
4 dent habit an appearance someWhs
II acceutuated, perhaps, by stoopin
- shoulders No man in the house is s
constantly in his seat and when liz
participating in debate Or giving pr'
found attention to the proceedings tF
illustrious New Englander is general
ID to be absorbed in reading, his desk O
= ten being piled high with books an
pamphlets while the floor about him
= strewn with tones brought at his Ca
: by the pages from the library.
: In speaking Mr.. Dinlgey is alway
= we'll poised and calm, his choice
words is simple and his style is clef
and logical. In the ere graces {
y oratory he is surpassed by score {
men upon the floor, but among a
3 there is no man whose reasoning hi
= greater clarity and force.
Z It would be difficult to imagine
I greater contrast than that which tt
Z leader Of the opposing side offers fro
Z every standpoint to the man whom
: have thus sought to briefly SKETCH
! Joseph W. Bailey is in every sen!
Z an orator. In manner and in matte
he is truly statesmanlike, and there
! about his whole personality an atmo
4 phere which suggests a reniassant
: of the early publicists Of the centur,
: Indeed, so strong is this impressic
Z that as the tall smooth faced an
! handsome Texan rises to his feet it
! easy to imagine that the painted fgu,
Z Of some one of the ancient dignitari
: Of the republic has again taken on Ii
T. and stepping from its frame in tt
house gallery once more appeared
share in the council of the nation.
I Joseph W. Bailey was born in Conis
\ county. Miss. in 1868; he was a.
: mitted to the bar in 1888, served
7 district 'elector on the Cleveland. Hel
Z bricks ticket in 1884, removed to Tex
in 1885. when he located at Gain
I Vile. his present home. He served
! elector at large on the democrat
! ticket in 1888. and was elected to Il
Z 52d. SD. 54th and 55th congresses. =,
= Mr.. Bailey has been advanced to Il