Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-27


WAS justly entitled, and friendly per-
sonal relations were always maintained
with the leaders of the opposition. He
was delightful conve:sationalist and
and his social gifts enhanced his popu-
larity with the members. He was per-
iectly familiar with our national his
tory and with men who had been
prominent in the public life of Wash
ington and loved to talk about them.
as Jefferson in his later years loved To
talk about the men of the revolution
airy era. 1t may not be amiss to men,
| tlon in this connection that when he
was in rf;ngland in 1887 he called on
Gladstone, and, in referring to the cir
cumstance after his return, he de-
cleared that all he could remember Of
the incident was that Gladstone did all
the talking which impaired the pleas
ure of the interview, for you know"
| ne added, i am quite fond of talking
! myself
Mr.. blaine, moreover. had the advan-
taee Of great ana varied requirements;
of amazing intellectual resources; and
| Tcrceptive faculties which were electric
| in their method Of operation. Like a
! great captain he reached conclusions
|
one imagines he was simply q smart
! politician without being 4 really great
| statesman, let him read Blaines dis
! cussinn of the Clayton Bulwer treaty;
! or his argument on the silver question:
! or his reply to Gladstone, or his Twen-
| ty Years in Congress. These are the
product Of master mind. 1t may be
true that statesman of lower grade
| is equal to the requirements of the
Speakers chair but it can hardly be
| claimed that the Speaker Of the House
does no. gain something by distin-
euished ability and wide range of
knowledge. These were always accord
! ed 10 Blaine from the time he became
a factor in national politics. That they
We're helpful in securing the emnence
he acquired as Il presiding officer cam
| not be doubted.
The scene which was presented at the
| close IF the Forty-third Congress,
which terminated Blaine's brilliant ca
reer IS Speaker was so remarkable
that l do not feel at liberty to omit
brief reference to it. 1t was a scene
, much easier to remember than for
get. The floor of the House was packed
with members. eX-members. members
elect and invited guests: the galleries
We're crowded to the doors and multi
| tudes were lingering in the halls and
lobby who could not effect an entrance
within the spacious chamber-all eager
to witness whatever trlnspired during
the closing hours of Congress, and par
ticularly eager to hear Rlaine's speech
on taking final leave of the chair. The
! moments passed: the hour of l. was
approaching. The pages were sCurry-
ing between the two chambers with the
last bills signed or needing the Speak,
er'S signature. The clerks from the
Senate were appearing in the main
aisle at frequent intervals to report
the action of the Senate on House bills,
and the hum and buzz of human voices
permeated every nook and corner of
the great amphitheater. 1t was an
American audience in dress in deport-
ment. in appearance. in spirit and in
intelligcnce-an audience which could
he reproduced nowhere else on the
globe and Blaine. Is sturdy and loyal
an American as the Republic ever pro-
duced. was the central figure of the
hour and the occasion.
When at last the finger on the dial
pointed to the midday hour, Mr.. Blaine
arose, and. at the sound of the gavcl,
every voice was hushed and every ear
alert to catch the speakers words. His
face was palid and he was evidently
deeply impressed as he looked cut over
that splendid audience. 81 close with
this hour" he said. "a six years service
as Speaker of the House of Representa-
tivcs-a period surpassed in length by
but two of my predecessors, and
equ1llca by only two Others" He then
proceeded to deliver with much feeling
one of those fclicitous speeches for
which he was famous-comprehensi
eloquent. appropriate. and. in phrase
ology, fautleSS. He acknowledged his
indeht edncss to the members for their
cooperation and support; he described
the speakership as q post of honor. of
dignity of power, of responsibility: he
alluded to the eXactions of the position
ard to the standard of duty which the
Speaker must maintain, and thanked
the members most cordially for the
honorable testimonial which they had
placed on record to his credit and de-
clared the Forty-third Congress adj
journed sine die.
OF course reasonable measure of
applause would be expected to follow
such an address and would excite no
comment, but the demonstration on this
occasion was altogether out Of the or
binary. Enthusiastic hand-clapping be-
gan on the floor. swept over the gall
leries and continued for several min
utes. 1t finally died down and was re-
newed a second time, and died down
as before 1t was renewed and repeated
Flor tho third time without the slightest
abatementof enthusiasm. 1t was mani
testify something wholly different from
perfunctory applause. 1t was an ova-
ton. It represented the enthusiasm
and devotion of the vast audience. 1t
was a popular tribute to a great pop
ular leader: it carried an intimation
Of higher honors in reserve. 1t was so
cordial, so determined. so spirited that
10 one could doubt its sincerity. 1t
was an occasion to be remembered.
Through it all the Speaker stood pale
and motionless, except as he OCCASION