The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-06
SENATORIAL CHUCUS


Special correspondence Of The Tribune.
Harrisburg, Jan. 4.-'The scene in the
new hall of the legislature Tuesday night
was something to remember. The walls,
hung in burlap of deep Pompeian red
surmouAted by Empire festoons in gilt,
made rich background for the sombre-
coated thronG that surEed about the
moor and galleries. Above all, through
mist of cigar smoke, the flags OF the
nation cleaned in the radiance of elec-
trlc lights thickly studded in squares IN
the ceiling. But little thought, however
was expended OH the surroundings, for
tense interest that unconsciously
caused the members Of the big assem-
blage to hush their voices peryaded the
very air. Men who are accustomed to
assert their opinion in loud tones, spoke
in whispers He is here!" "I told YOU
so!' He's all right" being frequently
heard. neby one personages whose names
/ have become famous appeared in the
crowd. General Frank Reeders stately
form and handsome face rose above the
throng. John Z. Elkin's keen, alert eyes
| flashed over the mass of faces Con-
gressman Conncll, alertness evident in
every glance, and Senator McCarrell not
at all depressed by the governors final
scolding, were prominent figures. General
Latta's benign countenance looked forth
like herald of hope, and many others
whose names are familiar and whose
presence is power, were seen on every
side.
Something deeper than interest, more
intense than suspense, rippled over the
! throng as a dignified figure. clad in a
cafe au lait hued suit of faultless fit
and finish was noted i'm the throng. The
entrance of no man, save Quay himself
could have produced the sensation made
by this man as he took an unobtrusive
place at a desk In line with that of the
speaker, for he was Chris" L. Magee
| himself Everybody knows of this Ia
nous state senator from the west. VINO
| has fought Quay so bitterly for many
! years, who has done more to cause the
senior senator trouble than any other ten
| men in the country; who has been an
! implacable foe and yet whom, perhaps,
as much as any other man, whether
| friend or foe, has always held Quay's
| respect. He is a wonderfully handsome
| man, this troublesome gentleman from
| Pittsburg. 1t was an involuntary tribute
| OF praise from man who had never felt
particularly friendly toward Mr.. MaCee,
\ when he was ovci heard to remark the
| other night: well, l must say that II
/ | We're woman l should fall Violently
| in love with Chris Magee." The first
| impression one gets of him is in a gem
/ eral appearance of being well groomed.
/ From his sleek, handsome head which
/ is turning just gray enough to give an
/ added effect Of distinction, to his genteel
! boot tips he looks a high-bred gentle
man. | believe that frely shaped head of
| his was surrounded by a well-defined
| halo the other night TO many eyes. Even
| to those who were in the secret as he
rose to nominate b. +. Jones, the sensa-
| tiOn that swept over the audience as he
! afterward stood in his place and said in
| firm, ringing tones: Il rise to ask that
the nomination of Hon. Matthew Stan
| ley Quay be made unanimous!" carried
| a thrill that they like to recall Such
a thunder Of cheers, such a swell OF ap-
| plause, such a white sea of handker-
chiefs as greeted that marvelously well
| executed cOup-de-tGt are not always ac-
| corded to a speaker I'm what certain per-
tons of the public press term an "unen-
| thusiastic caucus" That II was the
greatest political stroke in Pennsylya-
| MAS checkered career was acknowledged
in every quarter, and that c. L. NIagee
will be elected United States senator six
years from now is frankly predicted. The
beauty of this little scene was the con-
| summate grace and tact with which the
great leader from Allegheny brought his
| support to his old~time enemy. II was
the refinement of art, the climax of po-
| litical tinHsse and won for MIN a place
| i'm the hearts Of certain men which will
be his for life and which will have a
| significant effect on the brilliant career
which shines before him. Little was
| talked of yesterday in Harrisburg but
Chris" Magee and the infinite dignity
and cleverness in the part played by him
in the big game.
To return to the charge made i'm sew
| eral ournals that little enthusiasm was
| evinced at this caucus, Is to say that
seldom has so much enthusiasm been
| evident, but IL was not the kind that goes
off simply in yells and hand-clapping
| Instead IL was the deep, pent-up sort
that reaches far down and seems to
grip the hearts Of men, You could see il
i'm glstening eyes and hear It I'm quick
| breathing as one after another who had
been labeled doubtful" stood up and
! gave his vote for the senior senator. 1t
Is an ineXplicably interesting study-this
| feeling which men hold for Matthew
Stanley Quay. There are those TO whom
he owes political debts which he could
not pay off in n senatorial career OF n
! hundred years, who II can almost be