Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-17

IS always sure of close attention He is
one of the few whose arguments sometimes
affect votes.
Not IN Orator.
He is nothing of an orator Public speak
ing has no glitter or charm for him. He
speaks only when he feels that he ought to
and not because he likes the sound of his
own voice or looks for the responsive Jingle
of popular applause. He understands his
own limitations and lacks even the trace of
d de!uslon. There are not many men in
politics of whom this can be said. He may
wish it were otherwise at times but he
does not deceive himself in imag ginning that
it is. General joe Hawley, his colleague
is an effective public speaker. He has a
genius for swaying audiences. for stirring
the emotions and for inspiring applause.
Plat recognizes this as gift which he
Does not possess Among his friends he
sometimes talks about it, occasionally with
regret. but never with even an infinitesirnaI
touch of jealousy or envy.
II am not like Hawley," he says land
IL is just we'll to recognize the truth l
always hesitate to get on my feet in pub
lie | know that there never will be any
thing especially entertaining in what ! saw
and | feel that j am tolerated rather than
admired. The best ! can do is to talk along
without attempting any oratorical frills and
without expecting. 10 get anybody excited.
usually say what l want to say and |
try to tell the truth. ] haven't any pre-
tNiiStSitS Wy oiiti tiiat ftd"teS can even
walk to the platform without bringing his
auditors to their feet yelling and cheering
Ii is Hip, hip hoorah. for Joe Hawley.
from the minute he puts in an appearance
o. the man. Its something never had and
never can have. / may be sorry, but what's
the use of worrying about it,
Lawyer and Committeeman.
Plstt is one of the best lawyers in Con-
gr-ss. Well read. practical and hsrd-h head
ed, for years he has been a leading member
Of the judiciary committee. He IL one of
the men in the Senate who have grasp of
financial affairs. He represents a great
manufacturing state. and he is familiar
with all its diversified industries This
makes him one Of the most efficient mem
bers of the committee on finance He had
as much as any other one man to do with
the framing OF the tariff law which Is now
on the statute books. When 1t came to Sc
lectihg d chairman for the committee on
Cuba the choice of republican senators fell
with unanimfty on Platt 1t was known
that he could be trusted; that he would
never be carried away By any fads and
that nothing suspicious shady would ever
find place in legislation over which he
had supervision. He is one of those who
appreciate the value of retaining at times
from legislation at all.
Three Score and Ten.
Plat Is no longer a young man lie is
three score and ten, and the passing wears
have drawn burrows In his face But there
Is no youngster In the Senate who is better
equipped to cope with new problems that
constantly arise than he. He is strong
partisan and an intense American He is
full of courage and endowed with hone He
never wastes time in dwelling on the past
or resrettinG the days that have gone His
conservatism is not the fruit of timidity 1t
Is the lifelong habit of mind untainted
with illusions and uninfiuenced by imprac-
teal ideals.
II liz often said by those who know SEN
at"r Plat that he has many of the quail
Ties that made Lincoln the President he was
caution in expedients. patience courage I'm
execution. common sense and a sympathy
a. a. proad as mankind He is tender In his
friendships and helpful
physically he is the type of a New Eng
land native. tall. angular a little uneainI4
Win race that makes no pretensions TO
beauty, but he Is none the less Ukable for
that ioi