The age-herald., 1900-02-26

efresh," but political courage, while re- freshing, is not fresh in the general ac. ceptance of that term, and when a man has something to say and says t as well and really better than others, no matter how old they are in the business, there can be no question of his freshness, and his own worth gains him a position that oldness in congressional service with it's accompanying experience cannot procure unless backed by ability. To be sure older men who cannot do as well are jealous, and writhe under the invective, and when their arguments are torn to pieces. Strict par tisans cannot abide independence and thus though recognized as having unusual abil- ity, it cannot be said that Iittlefield is all together popular with his republican col leagues Conscious, however, that he IS right and that his repubicanism is not les- sened by independence of thought and ac- tfon, Idttlefeld has no regrets
 RepublIcan Arguments Annihiiated
 His speech on Friday annihlated the re- publican arguments for tariff on Porto Rican products. He disorganized the oppo- sftion and drove them in disorder. lie LOOK first the arguments of Payne, chairman or the ways and means committee, and shot them full of holes, showing for one thlns that in support of C1is position Payne had garbled quotation from Cooley. He made Dalze1l's arguments look sick. His sarcasm regarding Hopkins destroyed him. Moody of Massachusetts, one of the young men III congress, and one of the ablest, had nooA- ing left to his arguments when Littlefeld was through with him. Grosvenor of Ohio essayed to interrupt the orator with caus- tic remarks, but was soon silenced and made so nervous that he was manfestly unhappy, and saying unkind things to him- self of the man he could not answer The accredited leaders of the republican party were routed as they have not been in Dng time. Littleheld had convinced many of his colleagues-no matter how they vote afterwards When he had finished they crowded around G1im, a did the democrats and shook his hand and congratulated him, but the leaders he had fiayed stood apart and had nothing to say.
 Of course we will hear that Littlefelds arguments were tricky; that his speech was that of the advocate, and not sincere-that his arguments are full of flaws. That was said about his first speech, but no one real ly answered it. Littlefeld's view that the constitution covers all the territory of the United States. if sustained by the supreme court of the United States, will embarrass the administration by making free trade with the Philippines, and with Cuba, should 1t be annexed, imperative, but that does not weaken the strength of his arguments. The question of what Is to be done in that circumstance must be decided later.
 Independence Gives Him Strength
 Littlefeld's Independence of conduct gives him great strength and influence In the house, but will initiate against his becom- ing a recognized leader, though when great questions are considered leaders will be apt to consult Lfttlefeld's views for fear of being hurt if they do not do so, while his destruction of leaders who have been wont to regard themselves as little tin gods may tend to develop new ones.
 As to the effect of Littlefields speech, it is difficult to say.
 The democrats will vote for a motion to recommit the bill, if it should be made, and will not play politics by voting against it. They know recommitment will mean free trade and embarrass the majority, as it should be embarrassed, for trying to foist protective tariff on the people that need free trade and open market in the United States to recover from the i'll ef- fleets of the war That duty is even more important than the constitutional ones in- volved ALBERT HALSTEAD.