Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-04-29

bounced upon by Republicans on all
sides, but held his own and finally
drove all his combatants to cover.
The Interruptions from the Repub-
lican side began, but they were not
continued long. His replies only
gave him an opportunity for the ex.
ercise OF those wonderful powers of
repartee for which the wonderful
irlsh-American orator is noted. and
his questions fell before his keen
blade like naked savages before the
fire of Calling gun.
FINALLY Mr.. Dalzell, of Pennsylya-
MA, had the temerity to charge Mr..
Cochran with having been hired by the
Republican National Committee to
make speeches for Mckinley in 1896
Those who heard the terrible scorn.
the scathing, whitening sarcasm Of
Oockran's reply to the charge will
never forget it. His denial, with all
It's magnificent eloquence, will stand
as one of the finest pieces of English
ever uttered. Mr.. Dalzell sought To-
escape from the force of that terri
BILE reply by saying that he had been
informed that the assertion that he
had made was true, and Cockran's
demand for the name of the man
VINO had made such a charge was the
slgnaf for half the members of the
Democratic side to leap to their feet,
with angry demands for the name of
the informant. Mr.. Dalzell would
not give the name, and he sought
shelter in the cloak room, followed
oy the jeers of the Democrats and
Kisses even from the crowded galleries
Frequently there were cheers from
the Democrats and galleries In the
course of his speech, but when Mr.
Cochran was nominating John Sharp
WIlllans for the presidency and paid
such tribute to the South as has
never been listened to in the national
capital, there was scarcely a man
among the Democrats who was not
on his feet, cheering at the top of
bis voice, and hundreds ia the gal
ierles followed their example.
When the speech was concluded,
there was mad rush on the part of
the Democrats to reach the orator.
They Rugged him, and at one time
two strong men had their arms
around Cockran's neck, while two
were working his arms like pump
handles. The Speaker made an at
tempt for some minutes to secure
order, and finally the Democrats al
most carried Mr.. Cochran to the
cloak room, where he was kept busy
Tor an hour receiving the congratula-
tions of his colleagues.
L have not given the faintest idea
of the wonderful speech. have not
exaggerated in the slightest degree its
effect upon those who heard it. 1
have heard hundred men, men who
have listened to the greatest orators
living, and who have heard many of |
those who are dead, say they have
never heard a speech so eloquent, or /
as full of convincing logic. One of
the leaders of the Republican side
said the speech was worth contrl-
button of half million dollars to
the Democratic campaign fund. The
Democrats are in high feather over
the victory of their champion in the
unequal combat.
On Tuesday the feud between Dial.
zell and Cochran, Republican and
Democratic champions, respective
ly, was renewed with great
bitterness. Cochran asked for a
committee to investigate the charge
that he had received Republican
campaign money, stating that by the
committees verdict he would estab-
lish either his own uuworthiness or
the unworthiness of Mr.. Dalzell to
membership in the House. Speaker
Cannon refused to appoint commit
tee. Insults were hurled across the
aisle in the House.
The Republicans in the House are
demoralized. The aggressiveness of
the Democrats under leader John
Sharp Williams, assisted by the fight
ing ability of Bourke Cochran, has
left them gasping and helpless. They
are under positive orders from the
White House to say nothing and do
nothing but pass the appropriation
bills and adjourn as soon as possible.
1t is probable that they will adjourn
Congress this week, but this is not
yet settled. When Mr.. Williams
seized the judiciary committee and
out his two anti trust in
quiry resolutions early last week they
were much worried, but Mr.. Cochran
left them tioundering and helpless.
They have no orator with whom to
answer Cochran, and they are all so
lnslncere in their support of Presi-
lent Roosevelt that they are easy
game for the mar6smen on the Dem
ocratic side. 1t is said that Mr..
Littlefeld will be urged to answer :
Mr.. Cochran.