The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-03-31
PFTTUS
Creates Sensation in the SEN
ate.

ate
WASHINGTON. MARCH so.-Merri-
ment swept away the traditional dignity
OF the seuate today, staid stlclSlers for
senatorial decorum literally held their
sides and shouted with laughter while
the crowded gallaries Joined In the laugh
ing tumult while not the faiutest effort
was made to restrain. Had the effort
been made IT would have been frultless.
Senator Pettus. OF Alabama, the oldest
member Of the body-his age being only a
few months short OF four score years
delivered the funniest speech heard with
in the senate chamber in many years. II
sparkled with wit and bubbled over with
humor. It's scarcasm was keen. but not
bitter. and even those who were the VIC
Tins OF II could not but enjoy it's perfect
good humor and its ,lnafloyed fun.
Throughout Il al. Mr. Pe,tus was as soil
emn as If he were delivering funeral
oration. Not a smile softened the deep
lines Of his strong and rugged counte-
nance and. as he stopped occasionally TO
mop the perspiration from his face and
head with a big silk bandana. ne glanced
about the senate as II in surprise az the
laughter Of his colleagues. Indeed, he APP
pologized once for the nghtness Of the
vein of which he was addressing the sem
ate on so important a question as the
Puerto Rican bill
Mr.. Proctor republican. vermont,) had
delivered forceful argument In support
OF free trade with the island OF Puerto
Rico
He was followed by Mr.. Pettus. who de-
voted the first part Of his remarks to the
constitutional phases of the subject. Then
quite unexpectedly, came the fun as he
sharpened his wit at the expense Of Mr..
Gallinger Of New Hampshire and Mr. Bev-
eridge OF Indiana 1T was gem" said
one senator commenting upon Mr. Pettus'
speech, 'and will long stand as one Of the
best examples of senatorial fun making. "
Senator Depew OF New York was the
first to congratulate Mr.. Pettus, and
the New Yorkers hearty handclasp was
followed by such an ovation as man sell
dom receives in the senate. Former sena-
tor Pugh, Mr.. Pettus' immediate prede-
cessor from Alabama, was one OF those
who particularly enjoyed the speech. Dur
ing the entire session Mr.. Pettus received
the congratulations OF his colleagues.
Considerable progress was made with
the Puerto Rican measure during the day
several offered by senators being disposed
of.
Mr.. Pettus' speech was personal in its
application. He first took Mr. GlallInger
to task. II was very much entertained
by the senator from New Hampshire on
yesterday" he said. when he .nrormed
US that he was not lawyer, and he prov
ed II to us, not only by asserting It, but
by his argument. Lawyers know thai
when you come 70 read decision of q
judge you must take al he says on a SUBJ
ject; that It Will not do to take a sentence
here and there, but that is exactly what
the senator did In quoting Justice Bradley
In the Mormon case"
Mr. Pettus then turned his attention tC
the speech of Senator Beveridge and said
I'VE had wonderful defamation yes
terday from our great orator Wonderful
II was marvellous In all its parts. 1t wa,
so marvellous that dare say that such
thing has never before been heard In tin
senate. When you get genuine orator h,
is absolutely absolved from all rules o
logic or common sense. When It Is nee
essary In
fervor or oratoricaI fourishes to prove
any proposition, true or false rules o
common sense and the decent observance
of what is due to others must not stanS