The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-11-21
THE ORATORS
OF CONGRESS
CONGRESSMAN HANNA TELLS
FARGO COLLEGE STUDENTS
SOME INTERESTING FACTS OF
THE couNTRVs LAW MAKERS
FEW REAL ORATORS.

Hon. L. B. Hanna delivered the first
OF series of lectures on the subject
Orators in Congress, Saturday, before
the students OF Fargo college. "To tell
the truth" said Mr.. Hanna, there are
no great orators in congress" He
spoke of this fact several times, say
ing that men like Webster were abb
sent in both houses.
Mr.. Hanna described the representa-
tive chamber, and told of the method
OF choosing seats, which is done by
lot. A few members, however. such
as Champ Clark or Mr.. Payne. have
the privilege OF choosing their own
seats.
The increase Of population and its
effect on representation was next dis
cussed Mr.. Hanna thinks that the
basis Of representation viii have to
be increased in order to keep down
the number OF members in the house
immigration, he said, had great
deal to do in keeping the eastern cities
congested, thus giving the larger rep
resentation to these centers of popula-
ton. New York city alone has nine
teen members in the house, and New
York state has thirty seven repre-
sentatives. In Mr.. Hanna's opinion,
one Of the greatest problems to be
solved in the future is the immigra-
ton and congestion of population.
Returning to the subject OF oratory
In congress, Mr.. Hanna discussed II In
all its phases, mentioning many OF the
most prominent speakers who can
draw the crowds to the galleries and
hold the attention of the members.
There are not many who can do this,
despite the large number of speeches
made in a session of congress. Dur
ing the time of general debate when
appropriation bills are up, most of the
lengthy and specially prepared speech
es are heard. These, MI. Hanna said,
are prepared with great care and work
but often are delivered poorly. But
Mr. Hanna emphasized the fact that
pure oratory does not count for much
in the house. It's the fact and figures
that are demanded. No man, he said,
would attempt to make speech there
without knowing thoroughly whs. he
was talking about
Committee work was next spoken %.
Mr. Hanna said that while party lines
are sharply drawn on the floor of the
house, they were thrown aside in the
committee rooms. There the division
is caused by opinions OF the members
themselves and their constituents, and
not party lines.
Mr.. Hanna then mentioned yeral
men who stood above the rest in the
matter OF oratory, and ability to draw
the crowds. He said Senator Root,
Though not much of a speaker com
PEELED the attention of the audience
from the fact that he lis a great and
noted lawyer. Senator Bailey of Texas
is another man who holds the atten-
ton by reason Of being one of the
greatest lawyers in the country. Nj
Hanna mentioned Senator La Toilette
as a good speaker, but he said he
spoke too long. Both Senator Cum
mings and Senator Elkins are excel
lent speakers who fill the galleries
when they speak.
One OF the finest speeches Mr.. Han
ma said he had ever heard was by
Senator German He told the story Of
his own life an0 of civil war DAYS in
which he partook Both Senator Nc
Cumber and Senator Purcell were
mentioned as excellent speakers. Mr..
Hanna spoke in particular Of a speech
that Senator McCumber made at the
Arlington cemetery before 5000 peo-
pie This speech was one of the fin
est that Mr.. Hanna had ever heard.
Champ Clark, the democratic leader
OF the house, Mr.. Hanna said, was a
fine speaker and debater who could al
ways command the attention of the
members Richard p Hobson, a DEM
oc+at. is another fine speaker. He
said people who visit the house always
wish to have Nicholas Longworth
pointed out to them first and then
Richard p. HobSon, whose hobby is a
war with japan. Mr.. Dalzell of Penn
sy:vania and Mr.. Payne are excellent
speakers.
Mr.. Hanna said that Speaker Can
non comes nearer to being a real o-a-
tor than any other man IN congress.
People always come 20 hear him speak.
His way of speaking and mannerisms
make HIS speech more emphatic. MIR.
Hanna thinks he is the greatest orator
of congress.
In conclusion, Mr.. Hanna told a very
interesting story of Senator Speer, an
old man who stood on the left of Lin
coin fifty years ago when he was in
augurated. Mr.. Hanna wished all a
most successful winter. and hoped
Fargo college would continue to grow
as 1t now is.