The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-02-15
CLOSETHEDEBATE.
Brilliant Speeches Mark Wind
up of Rate Discussion.
THE PATTERSON INCIDENT,
Senator Patterson's Revolt from DEM
ocratic Causus Rule Causes SEN
itoral Scene in Senate.

Washington, D. c., Feb. 10, 1906
The developments of the past week in
Congress tend to corroborate the as
sertion recently made by your CORE
spondent that this session is extra
ordinary in many respects. Notwith-
standing the invocation of the power
of party organization on occasions, and
its successful operation, this session
has brought forth more of independ-
ent speech and action than most of its
predecessors. The passage in the
House of the railroad rate bill on
Thursday was the elimination of long
continued argument, investigation and
public agitation, so far as the action
of the lower branch of Congress is
concerned. The Hepburn Bill en-
bodies substantially the recommends
lions of the President, and if it is not
materially changed by the Senate the
country will receive what it has de-
manded with a vigor and unanimity
seldom equaled in matters of legisla-
tion. One Of the remarkable features
of the debate in the House on the bill
was the attitude of four capable,
scrupulous and distinguished republi-
can members, toward it. Sibley, of
Pennsylvania, Grosvenor, of Ohio, Nc
Cali, of Massachusetts, and Little
field, of Maine, criticised and de-
precated the bill. The last named has
long been regarded as one of the most
trenchent opponents of trusts and
combinations, and one of the ablest
defenders of popular rights. His OPP
position to the Hepburn Bill is for
that reason puzzling and incompre-
hensible, until one realizes the motives
which prompts his action. He regards
differentials as essential to the pros
perity Of New England, and owing to
their having long since been estab-
lished he regards them as vested
rights. The raw material for New
England mills must have special rates
to enable the manufacturer to conduct
their enterprises in competition with
mills nearer the field of raw material
at a profit. His argument for this
reason was sectional and provincial,
and lacked in the statesman like
breadth of scope and universally of
application Which usually characterizes
the utterances of this clear minded
and courageous statesman. Gen.
Grosvenor announced his intention to
vote for the bill, but took occasion to
criticise it in some particulars. Nc
Call and Sibley were actuated in their
antagonism to the bill by motives SIM
liar or identical to those which prompt
ed the course pursued by the gentle
man from Maine. On Wednesday
arguments were presened by some of
the most eminent orators in the
House. Burke, Cochran, Williams
and Hepburn in turn held the undi-
vided attention and interest of crowded
galleries and House. There was thus
an opportunity to compare the ora
torical ability of these gentleman to
advantage. Cochran spoke first, and
his speech, in common with his speeches
generally, was witty, animated and
distinguished by remarkably facile
diction, and an unusual readiness of
command of language. His grasp OF
fundamental principles, his mastery
OF logical treatment and his sincerity
of purpose suffer in comparison with
his more superficial qualities as a
popular speaker. Williams is clear
and lncisive, forcible and logical, and
his speech and conduct bear evidence
of intense sincerity. Hepburn's prin-
cipal trait is vigor and courage. The
superficial and ornate accessories of
the calm and secluded writer of
classical orations are not for him.
He is in the heat of conflict, and his
weapon is the bludgeon and the
broadsword. He employs sarcasm
with considerable effect when he
deems that desirable implement of
offense or defense. He is unique and
individual; there probably has never
been another of his kind, and when
this sturdy old fighter surrenders up
his bludgeon to Saint Peter Che will
meyer cease fighting until then, there
viii probably be permanent vacancy
where he stands.
The Patterson incident related in
nv last letter was but one of the
initial events of dramatic series of
happenings in the Senate which
reached their climax on Wednesday,
when Senator Patterson, taking UNI
bragg at the action of the democratic
caucus proceedings discussed it's action
on the flor of the Senate to the edit
cation and interest of an eager public
which thronged the galleries, and fell
low senators. The Colorado senator
denounced in scathing terms the at
tempt to muzzle him and to rob him
of his independence of speech and ac-