The Washington times., 1904-04-10
Declares Its Authority
USurped by Senate
and Executive.
Its Condition a Tragedy,
One of the SaddeSt
in History.
Brilliant New Yorker
Scores the Service
Pension Order.


emphasized his return TO Congress af-
ter an absence of niueayears by the de-
livery Of brilliant and eloquent speech
yesterday. in which he deplored the de-
cline Of the House as a parliamentary
and deliberatve body its loss OF power
and influence in cur system of coustitU-
tional government. and pointed the way
to regain its former prestige and stand
ing
Contrary 10 what many had expected.
AIr. COckran's speech. which has been
anticipated for month, was not ac-
c0mpauied b. any manifestation Of par
t!san bitterness il was rot a politica.
effort intended for ca.u,aign purposes
entirely. nor an assault upon the Ad-
ministration He did no. ieal much in
personalities. but rather in Eeneralities.
condemning only what he termed the
successful attempts TO invade The con-
stltutional prerOGatives of the House OF
Representative by the executive
branches Of the Government and the
Senate.
Cochran Has Changed.
Those who saw Ny. Cochran when he
was in The House ten years ago and
listened TO the ringing speeches which
he made upon che tariff and silver ques-
lions were somewhat surprised yester-
Gay at the change IN the man.
His appearance is quite different from
what It was a decade ago. His voice
has also changed, there is less Of melody
and mere OF harsnness in il. and the
rich Irish brogue so pleasing TO the ear
is less pronounced than formerly, but
the fount OF his wit remains mexhaust-
ed and the flow Of his eloquence is un-
abated
He spoke apparently with slightly
sGore effort than formerly. but at the
same time with great fervor and earn
estness. He stiI has great magnetism
and wonderful force of delivery. That
It was a masterful Grafton, even his
political opponents were obliged TO ad-
nit, the like of which has seldom been
heard IN the hail Of Representatives,
and probably viii not be heard again
until Mr.. Cochran again favors the
House with another speech. for il must
be conceded-in fact Il is conceded-that
there is no man out Of all the SS5 other
members Of that body who can match
the gifted orator
A Great Crater.
His presence and volume Of voice his
perfect diction. clea.ness of thought and
power of delivery unite 10 make him
easily and above all the leader OF speech
makers in that great forum OF debate.
There are other orators IN the House,
each with his own peculiar style and
effectiveness, bat not one who 50 fully
combines all the arts OF oratory as Mr..
Cochran. His speech was plainly an evil
dence that the day Of great orators is
not past, and the power OF II was best
appreciated when others following arose
70 reply and it was possible 10 compare
their feeble efforts with his
The text for Mr.. Cockran's speech was
found IN the action of the Committee
on Rules. which shortly after the House
met, through Mr. Dalzen CRep.. Pa re-
ported back to the House with the
recommendation that IL lie upon the
table. the resolution introduced two
weeks ago by Mr. Cochran directing the
Committee on the judiciary to inquire
into the authority Of the Secretary Of
the Interior in promulgating the Ex-
ecutiye order making age a disability in
The matter Of applications for pensions.
The fact that Mr.. Cochran was 10 ad-
dress the House had been quite widely
advertised. and in consequence the gal
leries We're flled TO their capacity when
he began. and a large number Of mem
bers, especially on the Democratic side
were in their seats, Notwithstanding
that the attendance Is ordinarily slim
and less than quorum on Saturdays
Applaud Beneath Desks.
Mr.. Dalzell said he would withhold his
motion 70 lay the resolution upOn the
table in order 10 permit Of debate. and
an hour time was thereupon allowed
Mr.. Cochran. When he began 10 speak
Mr.. Cochran took a position In The cen
ter aisle well toward the rear Of the
\ chamber, and near the seat occupied by
Mr.. Williams. the minority leader.
Every member gave him the strictest
attention through the entire time he
held the floor.
His remarks were frequently applaud
ed. and not infreQucnJly did Republican
members join in the demonstration
Often il was observed that some mem
bers on the Republican side aDplaudeCf
with their hands beneath their desks.
in order that the leaders might not see
that they We're giving approval 10 Mr.
Cockran's assault upon the rules of the
House, which he found occasion 10 refer
20 during the course Of his remarks
He began speaking rather slowly and
deliberately but soon warmed up to
his subject. When ne had concluded, he
was given a round Of prolonged ap-
plause IN which almost every member
on the Republican side joined with the
exception Of Messrs. Payne, DalzelI.
GrOsyenOr, and Hepburn.
A Weak Interruption.
Only once during his delivery was
Mr.. Cochran interrupted. and then by
Bfr. Dalzen. whose question was so
trivial as TO scarce measure up to TIE
dignity and craftsmanship OF the Pitts
burg member. When Mr. Cochran s
hour had expired unanimous consent
was given for an extension 10 enable
him 70 conclude. In all. he consumed
one hour and fifteen minutes. 8Ir Dali
cell (Rep. Pa. Mr. Grosvenor, rep.
Ohio. Mr. Hepburn (Rep., Iowa.. and
Mr.. Gibson (Rep., TENN made brief at
tempts 20 reply. defending the execu-
tive order. the dignity Of the House and
its rules.
Speaking TO the motion 10 lay the
resolution upon the table which he Op-
posed, Mr. Cochran said at the outset
that he had no desire 10 make a par
tisan speech, bat that ne had offered