The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-06-08

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manded by men who generation ago
spent their younger days in suppressing
Instruction and rebellion and taking
care of the flag; the Incompatible Taft
tying to carry out what his judgment
and the orders Of Mckinley and Roose-
welt said should be done: the party
which supported the army and the presi-
| dents and Taft-these have been sorely
pressed these trying latter days Of this
| important session of congress, on the
/ floor Of the senate of the United States.
So when the other defenders had done
their share, there was called in the nigh
| ty Wisconsin senator TO close the debate
| for his side And how well he did it is
now the talk of the nation and the com
ment of the press from Maine to Cali
fornia.
| Spooner spoke a week ago Thursday
for three hours. He was not fully pre-
pared. That Is to say. he was not in the
shape he wished TO be for the fray, but
he never faltered. His handling Of the
subject was mastery. His presentation
Of facts and Of current history since the
inception of trouble in the Philippines
could not have been equaled. His repair
tee was ike the lightning flashes and
the thrust of a rapier
Spooner rested two days before he
completed the task. Il took five hours
TO do it. The galleries were filed TO suf-
location. Nearly every senator was in
his seat And all sat throughout with
out a thought OF departure. For when
Spooner speaks, be it known, that none
leaves.
Poor language and small ability at
portrayal can not do Spooner and his
latest effort justice. Words fail of de-
scription But perhaps in saying that
There has not been an approach
TO this great mans effort in
recent years in congress some meaning,
some conception of 1t, can be conveyed.
Spooner courts interruption. It discon-
certs many public men, but not him.
When man after man tainted and in
vited to the fray by this intellectual
giant rises to meet him, a grim smile
overspreads the great senator's smooth
shaver face so writ all over with char
acter, and the clear, sharp eyes behind
their ever-present glasses show a light
that BODIES Ill. Calmly he waits the at
tack, and a little later the adversary,
assuming too much, daring so bravely,
is removed from the scene of battle.
Then does Spooner rise TO every occasion.
No other man than he is so well prepar-
ed. With facts and information and
ready reply always. he drives home his
arguments; he unmasks his adversary;
he holds him up TO scorn, and then tri-
umphs. Ordinarily a shrewd, hard, plain
speaker, Spooner rises to eloquent fights
and language that is sublime when he
is attacked. Even the mastery Hoar, |
the scholar and keen mind of the senate, |
went down this fateful Saturday meath |
the battle that Spooner gave him. Sen |
timent in the senate may not have been |
changed-chances are every senator had |
his mind already prepared on this bill |
but the country as it read this speech |
applauded the loyal sentiments of the |
Wisconsin giant, and in the campaign |
that is coming many an advocate Of the /
policy of the administration will fortify |
himself behind the mass of facts and |
manly, patriotic utterances given by the
man who knows how to give them.
This man, the peer of his great asso-
ciates, is interesting from biographical
as well as others. He was
born in Indiana, January 6, 1913. He is
therefore just past SO years Of age. He
does not look like it. Years sit lightly
on him Spooner is a finely educated
man, though his schooling was inter-
rupted by the war of the rebellion. He
was a captain and brevet-major in the
war, and at the close Of it became pri-
vate secretary to Governor Lucius Fair
child who lost an arm in battle. From
1861 to 1910 he was assistant attorney
general OF Wisconsin. and was member
of the legislature in 1872. He also serv-
ed some years as regent of the state uni
vesity. Spooner was elected United
states senator in 1855. He succeeded An
gus Cameron. In the senate he soon
became a leader. but in 1891 the Demo-
Gratis secured the legislature and chose
Former Secretary OF the Interior Will
lam F. Villas to succeed him. Spooner
was chairman Of the Wisconsin delega-
ton to the Minneapolis convention in 1892,
that nominated Benjamin Harrison for
president. and in the same year was this
Republican candidate for governor of
Wisconsin. going down to defeat after
q hard fought contest. George ". Peck.
Democrat. then governor. defeated him
In 1897. the Republicans again securing
/
" chosen 10 succeed Villas, his adversary
IN 1891. and thus secured again his old
seat. He secured III votes in the 1egis-
ative contest out OF a total of ~ He
regained his old place in the
senate. and has added TO his laurels each
session Of congress since. He is now
head and s-oulders above any other man
n the senate. in the estimation Of many
observant. calculating persons.
Senator Spooner is now a candidate for
reelection, and undoubtedly win succeed /
himself next year Some months since
ne was much discussed as a possible
presidential candidate. but probably will
,refer TO be leader in the senate. espe-
tally in view Of the probability OF Pres
dent Roosevelts nomination.
The above in brief is the history Of the
greatest legislative leader and tie
nightiest man in congress today. Some
all him cold: many do not ike him; his
,dversaries fear him. but all respect, adj
nire and venerate him. His ability IS
lnquestioned He does not belong TO
Wisconsin. though he represents her; he
$ a part OF the entire country His in
iuence viii be felt a half a century from :
low. long after he is gone from legis- {
alive halls and scenes Of strife and de- s
,ate. For he is statesman and :
mighty man.
Charles F. Scott. representative at 4
arge, on his rerurn this week from Kan !
- .ha TK-3~lsss convention, mat I