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

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most any other man in Iowa In the east
they have promoted the gallant colonel
and put the handle OF general to his
name. In Iowa he is plain Dave" Hen
dcrson, without any handle at all, eS-
cept on ceremonious occasions. That
furnishes the clew TO the colonels popu-
larlty. lie Is pre-cmlnently good fel-
low" and instead OF being always on a
high horse. as mcst colonels would be,
he generally walks with the priVates.
And whom a man in the ranks can call
his commander Dave" without being
conscious of taking liberties II is safe
to assume he will follow that leader
| through fire and birthstone. 1t is TINS IN
born trait of good fellowship that mas
brought Colonel Henderson close to other
men, whether simple Iowa farmers OF
statesmen OF international fame. lie
has had the genius of being able to pu'
MS arm around man and calling hiip
by nickname without giving offensc,
and that quality has probably done NOR,
than his eloquence TO keep him In cor
gress. 1t is hardly necessary to add that
the colonel Is one of the most compan-
ionable of men socially A ready conver-
sationalist, he has a large fund OF anec-
dotes and "reminiscences, and his talk is
charged with effervescent wit and story
-:o:-
Colonel Henderson is noted in Iowa as
one OF the best trial lawyers In the state,
because OF his ability to win juries. lie
could earn two or three times as much
from his practice as his seat in congress
pays, but the fighting fever is In his blood,
ana the fascination of Washington is
over his senses. lie enjoys his biennial
battlo for political life, and the peren-
NAL Joust with Democrats at the national
capital )is as breath to his nostrils.
Colonel Henderson is an uncompromsng
Republican, and he loves to run javo-
lin through political opponent In the
days when 1t was fashionable to wave
the bloody shirt he followed the fashion
with zest, for he had not only lost foot,
but had suffered for years and sub
mitted TO three amputations of his leg.
Formerly he got about on an artificial
foot but since the last operation. taking
of third section of his leg, he often
uses crutches.
-.:o:-
The colonel often pours oratorical
Vitrioi upon the Democrats OF the house,
but he is personally popular among them.
In the midst of bitter remarks he takes
| out much OF the sting by calling his polit-
| ical opponents 'brothers" in n concilia-
tory tone. When he has finished one Of
| these speeches he Is likely to be seen
| going about on the Democratic side of
the house putting his arm around the
| necks OF congressman and "brothering'
up to them in a hearty, friendly way
| that is irresistible. In making a speech
1t is trick of the Iowan to throw his
manned leg over his desk and then
hunch along by inches until he has slid
around three sides. When aroused lie
| speaks with much vehemence, shakes his
| ieonine head with vigor and browns the
. noisy house in his bursts of eloquence
Colonel Hendersons force has made him
a recognized leader for many years. lie
has always championed legislation in the
interest of the old soldiers, and has 10y.
| ally backed measures for liberal pen.
| sions. AS the chairman of the judiciary
| committee he has long been interested
| IN bankruptcy bills, and the bankruptcy
| law now on the statute books Is credited
chiefly to his learning as a lawyer and
MS ability as manager on the floor ot
| the house. Colonel Henderson. like
| Speaker Reed, was opposed to interven.
| ing In Cuba. He voted for the $50, 900. .OOt
| defense fund but said he did not believe
war would follow. When the conflict be
| came inevitable there was no moro loyaI
patriot than the gallant veteran from
Iowa, and as speaker he will be as zeal.
Gus a supporter of the administration
In the future as in the past.