The age-herald., 1900-03-31
Greeted the Amusing Remarks
 of the Oldest Senator.
CONGRATULATED BY COLLEAGUES
MT. Pettus Began by Describing the Oratorical Efforts of Senator Bev- eridge-Few Sparks of Wit
 Pointed at Gallinger

Washington, March 30.-Merriment swept away the traditional dignity of the senate today. Staid sticklers for senatorial deco rum literally held their sides and shouted with laughter, while the crowded galleries joined in the laughing tumult, which not the faintest effort was made to restrain Had the effort been made 1t would have been futle
 Senator Pettus of Alabama, the oldest member of the body-hs age being only few months short of four-score years-de- nvered the funniest speech heard within the senate chamber in many years. It sparkled with wit and [oubbled over with humor Its sarcasm was heen, but not bitter; and even those who were the vic tinls of it could not but enjoy its perfect good humor and it's unalloyed fun. Throughout it all MT. Pettus was as solemn as though he were delivering funeral oration. Not a smile softened the deep lines of his strong and rugged countenance, and as he stopped occasionally to mop the precipitation from his face and head with a big silk bandana, he glanced about the senate as though in surprise at the laugh ter of his colleagues. Indeed, he apologized for the lightness of the vein in which he was addressing the senate on so important question as the Porto -.lcan bill
 Mr. Proctor, republican, of Vermont, had delivered a forceful argument in support of free trade with the island of Porto Rico His speech was listened to attentively by senators on both sides of the chamber, and at it's conclusion he was congratulated even by some senators who did not agree with him.
 Began on Beyeridge
 He was followed by MT. Pettus, who de- voted the first part of his remarks to the constitutional phrases of the subject Then quite unexpectedly, came the fun as he sharpened his wit at the expense of MT. Gallinger, of New Hampshire, and MT. Beverdge of Indiana. Tt was a gen." said one senator, commenting upon Mr. Pettus speech, "and will long stand as one of the best examples of sena torial fun mak- ing'
 Senator Depew, of New York, was the first to congratulate MT. Pettus, and the New Workers hearty hand clasp was fol- lowed '1J such an ovation as a man seldom receives in the senate Former Senator Pugh, MT. Pettus' immediate predecessor
 
 ticularly enjoyed tf speech. During the entire session MT. Eettus received the con- gratulations of his colleagues.
 Considerable progress was made with the Porto Rican measure during the day, most of the committee amendments and several offered by senators being disposed of.
 During the debate on the Porto Rico bill in the senate this afternoon, MT. Pettus. of Alabama, launched into his amusing speech. He referred to the ignorance of law man. ifested by MT. Galinger of New Hamp- shire, yesterday, in quoting certain judicial decisions, and then adverted to "the won derful declaration he had heard yesterday from the orator of the senate, MT. Bever- idge
 Speech Became Personal
 From this time forward MT. Pettus' speech was personal in its application He first took MT. Gallinger to task.
 II was very much entertained by the sem ator from New Hampshire on yesterday" he said, when he informed us that he was not lawyer, and he proved it to us, not only by asserting it, but by his argument. Lawyers know that when you come to read a decision of judge you must take all he says on subject, that it will not do to take sentence here and another there, but that is exactly what the senator did in quoting Justice Bradley in the Mormon church case"
 He then went on to relate an anecdote H. illustrative of his point, in which a preacher of the olden time-when the senator was boy-had figured in Alabama. "The minis ter,' he said, twas as learned in the Bible as my friend from New Hampshire in the law. (Laughter.) He said Brethren, my text today will be the following: Seven sons did Micah bear unto Enon. Now expect. brethren" the preacher went on, 'if you would look at the commentaries you would find various meanings to this text: but talxin0 a af I will this:
 "I expect that Enon was sick and the doctor told his seven sons, great strong fellows, that it was absolutely necessary that he should have milk for his nutriment; and thereupon the seven sons went out to look up the cows. The cows had not come up the night before and so the sons could not find them; but they came across a bear and they miqked her and carried the milk to Enon, and so, brethren, it is writ seven sons did Milka bear unto Enon.'
 That preacher" concluded MT. Pettus. amid an outburst of hearty laughter s'has as accurate conception of the Scriptures as some of our senators have of the law of the land"
 MT. Pettus then turned his attention to the speech of Senator Beveridge and said:
 A Wonderful Defamation
 "We had @ wonderful declamation yester- day from our grea orator--wonderful. It was marvellous in all It's parts. u was so marvellous that dare say that such thing has never been heard in the senate When you get genuine orator he is absolutely