Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-23
TALENT IN COMMONS
Old Time Giants of 0ratory
Out of Parliament.
THE YOUNGER POLITICIANS
Possess Varying Elusive Magnetism
Attraction.
SOME STRIKING SPEAKERS
Able Advocates for the Labor Party,
Many Witty Orators ON the
Irish Benches.
THE YOUNGER POLITICIANS
:OME STRIKING SPEAKERS

! Special Cahlesram 80 The Star.
! LONDON November .l.-The old-time
giants of oratory have gone from parlia-
! ment, but a new generation of speakers
! is sprinsing up Coming into prominence
in the house of commons are several of
| the Younger politicians, who have already
| proved that they cannot merely hold the
| attention of the most critical assembly
in the world, but for the time being can
dominate it with their personality. They
have that varying, elusive magnetism
which brings them listeners at all times
and in all circumstances.
| Among this little band is Mr.. Lewis
Harcourt, recently admitted to the cabi-
net as chief commissioner of works. He
is now, with less than five years expert
ence, one of the comparatively few speak
ers who can count upon well filled and
deeply interested house whenever he
makes a speech. He is an extremely tall.
very thin and eHquisitely dressed man
with a rather weary look in his eyes.
He is groomed to a degree not seen in
the house since Robert Spencer left it
for seat In the house of lords. His
high, upright collars, his tie correct to
fastidiousness. his well cut frock coat,
are all part and parcel OF popular per-
sonality.
Inc LABOR party contains many aple
speakers; it has none to equal in effect
Philip Snowden, the socialist member for
Blackburn. He is a thin, delicate man,
who drags himself along with Il painful
limp. and has to use walking stick to
get to his place in the house. He has a
thin, pointed face. widening to square,
ness at the forehead. His ever-present
pallor tells his frailty. The hard set look
of his steel blue eyes. the firm grip or
his straight. narrow mouth, and the 1T
Id Co.
municate at once the impression of one
who suffers constantly from bodily weak
ness and pain. But, in spite of all, there
shines from the man hawk-like vigil
lance, a whte-hot determination.
He is the picture of "a remorselessness
as he stands in his place. slim figure
with thin white hand extended toward
the government front bench lie Is
past master of offense. His voice has a
rasping thrill of it's own. and his words
are chosen with swift precision to sting
and wound. TO listen to an attack of his
on Lloyd-George, himself no mean tight
er, is to have Snowden at his best
On the government side of the mouse
has already secured himself a junior
position on the government front bench,
and is expected to go far. &. +. &. Mas
terman, the member for West liam, IS
secretary to the local government board,
and as the understudy of John Burns
has already made his mark at the table
of the house.
He is a tall, rather ungainly young
man. with lank, black hair. which per-
sists in falling over his forehead; AS
he sits with legs crossed, with hands
folded together In his lap and head slight
Iy tilted forward in distracted pose, he
reminds one of a mild-mannered and
dreamy curate. And yet on his feet, adj
dressing the house, he is force. HIS
weakness becomes virility. A pleasant
voice and a literary style are joined to
a passionate interest in politics. 1
Cross the house to the Irish benches,
the home of witty Oratory. and young
Irishman will be found who is destined
to uphold the reputation of his country
men and to make fame for himself. L.
NJ Kettle. member for East Tyrone. Is
still in the twenties. and is already one
of the most fascinating speakers In the
commons He is dark-haired and bright
eyed and he has that peculiar irresisti-
bic Irish sparkle which softens even the
hearts of the most bitter opponents of
the nationalists.
The Witty Irishman.
One of Kettles finest speeches was on
the occasion of the second reading of the
womans suffrage bill.
.'Mr. Speaker" he cried in his richest
accent, they say if We admit women
here as members the house will lose In
mental power He flung finger round
the benches MIR. Speaker he said.
lit is impossible The house roared with
laughter. They tell me that the house
will suffer in morals. Mr. Speaker,
don't believe that is possible either En-
thusiastic applause greeted him.
When the speaker announces Mr.. Fred
erick Edwin Smith the house comes to
attention, and there rises from behind
the unionist leaders a handsome youth
with a languid air. In two mellinuous
sentences he has the house for his own.
Smith is the most fluent speaker in the
house.
A companion picture to Smith is to be
found OH the liberal benches in Mr.. Hem
merde. He is a black-haired, clear-voiced
orator and quick-witted.
IF you were the Archangel Gabriel, l
would not give YOU vote, shouted
an interruptcr at a recent meeting.
IF | were the -Archangel Gabriel" re-
turned Hemmerde, you wouldn't be on
the register