The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1904-04-28
THATSPEECH OF.COCHRAN'S.
Tt Set Majority Against the House
Leaders.

washington, April 2b.-No event OF
the session has aroused the democrats
and so thoroughly excited their enthu-
siasm as Bourke Cochran's recent
speech, says special to the New York
Times. By that speech, and particu-
larly by the avalanche which descend
ed upon Dalzell at the first insinua-
ton against the orator s integrity. he
established his place among the mi
nority. 1t has been many years since
the old "rebel yell" rang out in con-
gress, but it was heard among the
shouts and cheers that were called
forth by the orator from New York.
In the evening the democrats held
sort of jubilee all over town. Wherev-
er one met a crowd of democrats they
were toasting each other, slapping each
other on the back and reciting all they
could remember of Cochran s speech.
1t resembled a jollifcation over vic
tory at the polls. The Metropolitan
and National hotels and the other CEN
tiers of democracy looked like the cam
baign headquarters of a political party
on the night of an election.
Another result of yesterdays remark
able scene is the giving of utterance
by many republicans to a profound dis
taste for their leaders. The three
bosses Of the house machine Grosven-
or, Payne and DalZell- have not been
over popular with their followers for
some time, and the disaffection broke
forth in growls when Cochran had fin
ished.
What kind of leaders have wegot?"
grunted one republican congressman.
whose remarks were assented to by
several others standing around him.
"All they can do is to make US redicu-
lous. 1t was bad enough before, but
now that man like Cochran has come
here he shows up the quality of our
leadership in way to make it posi-
lively distressing, 1t is time for a
change"
It is believed that Dalzell's interior
ence, which met such cutting rebuke
was not alone his own act, but that of
the republican machine. Immediately
before he broks in there was confer
ence between himself, Payne and
Grosvenor, and it was agreed then,
presumably, that Cochran should be
upset by an attack on his integrity by
Dalzell. i
Few Of the republicans sympathize
with Dalzell, but there is a general
feeling of wrath against him and his
associates that they should have led
their party in the way OF such a coils
ion.
The current of opionion is that Coch-
ran hgs greatly improved as speaker
sine he was in the last congress. Moth
ing that he ever said in his previous
service has aroused anything like the
wild, frantic, half-crazey enthusiasm
which has been excited by his speeches
at this session. III addition to that,
he was not supposed to be such ire
mendous force in give-and. take debate
as he has now shown himself to be.
1t was observed yesterday that he
carefully graded his treatement of his
victims The first interruption csme
from the venerable Gen. Marsh. of H.
linois. Mr.. Msrsh's Interruptions were
not verp weighty, and Cochran. treated |
the old gentleman with a contemptu-
GUS weary good humor.
He met Gen. Grosvenor with a gen
tie shower of ridicule which aroused |
the peppery Ohioan's wrath and when
he became angry the ridicule continu-
ed and made q contrast with his futile
heat that aroused laughter from the
whole house.
Serene Payne brought forth sharp
touch Of Cochran's sword, for the re-
publican floor leader made a slur at
John Sharp Williams. The retort from
Cochran was no longer merely humor-
GUS, for in the deepest possible man
ner Cochran suggested the contrast
between Leader Williams popularity