The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-13

the weak points in Clay's armor. The
Georgian made a speech upon which
any member of the minority could
stand. Mark Hanna himself replied to
him. The man who fancies that Mr..
Hanna doesn't know how to use the
Kings English ought to abandon civil
lized life and consort with Digger In
dams. He is certainly one of the most
effective speakers on the floor of the
Senate. Among the best debaters in
that body he shines respondent. His
thoughts appear to be ingrained, and
TO force themselves to his lips in per-
feet order and with mathematical pre-
cision. Rarely does he withhold his
remarks for revision. They speak for
themselves without editing. In this
speech Mr. Hanna repeatedly drew the
fire of the senior Senator from South
Carolina, and as repeatedly returned it
with compound interest. Indeed, his
argument was so strong and compact
that it almost defied interruption. 1t
was like a steel ingot. so tempered and
hardened that it resisted the action of
all ordinary drills.
Then came what was undoubtedly
the most attractive speech of the ses-
sion. 1t ertainlyNlustrated the power
of mind over mattsr. 1t was an in
spiration from the brain of George q.
Vest of Missouri, the sole survivor of
the Senate of the late Confederate
states. Feeble in body and slow in
motion, Vest weighs scarcely a hun
bred pounds. yet his eye is as bright
and his mind as clear as at any period
of his life. Placing his hands upon his
desk and gripping its cover, he pulled
himself TO his feet. Standing on the
outer rim of the crescent of seats, be
elevated his shaggy eyebrows and
gazed steadily at Orville H. Platt, who
occupied the chair. Senator Hale was
making an effort to secure the floor,
but courteously gave way to the Mis-
souri, Senator. Mr.. Vest spoke DELHI
erately and without notes. It was
marvellous. His words were distinct
ly enunciated and his voice, while not
strong, was remarkably clear, and
could be heard in every part of the
chamber. There were few interrupt
tions. Mark Hanna ventured a few
queries, answered before they had
hardly left his mouth. Among other
inquiries, Mr.. Hanna asked how many
Democrats had voted for the duty of
81 thousand on lumber. Il hope not
one" Vest replied "A good many of
them voted for it, the Ohio Senator
insisted. About this time Senator Till
man, of South Carolina, began to hitch
to be troubled with a torturing rem
iniscence. Finally, apparently in dire
extremity, he asked Senator Vest to
yield. The Missourian did so, and the
Palmetto Senator had an opportunity
to relieve his mind Mr.. President, :"
he said. "as one of the senator's who
voted for the tariff of 50 a thousand
on lumber. wish to say that at the
time l denounced ii as a steal, and
NV Il -
pays a great many taxes under that
tariff, and this was about the only
thing that we got anything out of at
all. The vengeance of the Pitchfork
Senator was not satiated with his re-
mark. He took the floor in his own
right soon afterward, and tore the bill
wide open. Nobody interrupted him
not even the man from Maine. He had
everything his own way. He wound
up by declaring that the advocates of
the bill were footing the treasury in
the interests of men already multi-mil-
lionaires."
On the following afternoon the dis
cussion was resumed. Senator Mallory
of Pensacola firing the first gun. He
spoke with wonderful facility. and was
evidently thoroughly familiar with the
subject. The only interruption came
from the man from Maine. 1t was an
unfortunate interruption, for it made
Senator Teller inquisitive. He began
to catechize the man from Maine. In
deed, there seemed to be a decided
spirit of inquiry abroad. The man
from Maine was overwhelmed with
problems. They came from Senators
Allison, Spooner, Berry, Teller, and Ba-
con; Allison being the most persistent
and conspicuous A host of volunteers
huddled around the man from Maine,
and aided in cracking the hard nuts.
Among them were Senators Perkins,
Hoar, and Depew. AS Perkins had been
a sailor and was supposed to know
something about a ship, he was sort OF
a center for information. His replies
were exceedingly instructive. Mr.. AL
lison at one time expressed his I'M