The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-15
ARE STRONG
IN DEBATE
Some Leading Members Of
the Legislature.
------- ~.
.M'lLWAlNE AT THE FRONT
Wlckham, Watkins, keezell, Rarksdale
and Others, Hard TO Handle When
They go Into Fight For
Any Object.

The Legislature OF 1s0l-'o2. which is now
III extraordinary session here, Is a history
making body. for 1t is dealing with mat
ters OF transccndcnt Importance to tho
people OF tho State. Both House and
Senate have many able members.
In the latter body Senator McTlwaine Is
the peer OF any. Indeed 1t is no dis.
arrangement to say that he is one OF the
ablest members of the present Legisla-
ture. A man Of robust mental faculties
and superb moral and physical courage,
ne ranks as one Of the most powerful
has won laurels over brilliant advoca ties,
both at the bar and In the hall OF Leg
islature. MIR. McIlwalne is man who
cares nothing for public life, and has de-
clined to allow the use OF his name Of
ten for high political honors.
STRONG ON FINANCE.
Next to him critics generally place SEN
ator Wickham. OF Hanover. as strong
man. But Wickham is more at home on
tho subjects OF finance and corporations
than upon general matters that come up
daily in the Senate. Carter, Glass was one
OF the great lay members OF the Senate,
and while man without legislative or
forensic experience before he came to the
Senate, yet while there he was the peer
OF any OF his colleagues as thinker and
dcbater.
Senator Keezell ranks as trained and
skllful business Senator. and his judg-
r1ent on finance and other cold business
propositions is often sought by the SEN
ate.
Perhaps in rough-roll- and-tumble de-
bate there are no Senator's who are better
capable Of taking care Of themselves than
William p. Barksdale and Asa D. Wat
kins. The former,is bright and quick at
rcpartee and always Yields a keen blade
when In controversy with his colleages.
Judge Watkins. on the other hand. is
what Cyclone jim Marshall would cali
shoulder hitter" in debate. He goes
after his opponents without gloves, and
yet he does 1t In way that always wins
the goodwill OF the Senate including
those opposing him.
ABLE YOUNG LEADER.
Senator r. P. Bruce, of Wise, Is ono
OF the strong deba tiers among the younger
Senator's He seldom enters the arena,
but when he does he always brings re-
suits. He has the very enviable record Of
Committee on a. proposition last year
single-handed and alone, having started in
with at least three-fourtlls OF the Senate
against him as WE'LL Judge William
Hodges Mann ranks as one Of the able
| lawyers OF the Senate
Anderson and Sears are among the most
polished orators In the body, and ranking
| up with them is the eloquent Don Halsey
Of Lynchburg, who has but recently made
his advent into the law-making body of
| the State.
KNOWS THE RULES.
One of the most experienced Legislators
and man whose Judgment on parliament
airy law Is always sound and logical Is
G. Harding Walker. Of Northumberland.
| Senator Walker was a most valuable
member Of the recent Constitutional Con-
vention. and was the man upon whom
| President Goode always relied to unravel
a parliamentary tangle. Senator Walker
Is Virginia gentleman of the highest
| type and can have almost any office he
| wants in his county. He ranks as an
able lawyer and is exceedingly popular
with his colleagues.
Senators Byars, of Washington; Sale, OF
| Norfolk, and Bryant, of Richmond. are
making good records for themselves, and
| they all give promise OF wise and conserv-
alive records. A word should be added
as to the strength and popularity of SEN
ator ]. N. Hartman. the Republican law
yer-preacher member from Tazewell Mr..
Hartman Is a clear and forcefu speaker,
and though in the minority. always has
the most earnest and respectful attention
when upon his feet The Senate is COM
posed of fine body OF men, and they
may be relied upon to do their part to-
| ward putting the new Constitution into
| operation In a fair and fearless manner