The Washington herald., 1914-10-07
HISTORY BUILDERS.
SenatOr IngaIIs Compliment to the
Massachusetts, Senators.
DE- DR. y. ,. I.DwARDs.

Cwrittsn Expressly for The Hsraldl
The late Senator John James ingalls,.
Of Kansas. was a master OF repartee. At
no time during his long service did he
hesitate for appropriate language IN
which to clothe the shafts which he aim
ed at some one or another OF the Senators
who had given him an opportunity. Sem
atar ingalls, was somewhat dreaded and
Senators who had made themselves tar
gets for his verbal assaults were careful
about again exposing themselves TO his
arrows. He possessed valuable acces-
sories for attacks Of that kind in his
personality and his giittering dark eyes,
which the lenses OF his spectacles seem
ed to enlarge so that they were all en-
comprising as he swept the Senate with
his giances- Then, too. he had the gift
of singulariy resonant voice, clear and
distinct as a trumpet blast.
recall one occasion in the winter Of
Iss2 or 1883 when Senator Ingalls, demon
strated to the delight not only Of the
Senate, but Of the particular Senators
at whom his shaft was aimed, this ex-
traordinary ability. He had the floor and
had been speaking at some length when,
apparently OF q sudden, II occurred to
him TO make some reference to the ac-
ton or attitude Of one OF the Senators
from Massachusetts,.
Just In the rear OF Senator Ingalls,, but
a little to the right was the desk of
Henry L. Dawes, who was the senior
Senator from the Old Bay State. The
latter was occupied with writing. which
was his habit when seated at his desk
In the Senate Chamber.
Two or three rows in front OF the desk
occupied by Senator Ingalls, was that
Of George F. Hoar, then Junior Senator
from Massachusetts,. The latter had par
tally turned in his seat and, as was his
habit, was Jlngling family his bunch
Of keys with the key ring encircling his
forefnger.
Suddenly Senator Dawes looked up and
then, rising. interrupted Senator Ingalls,
with the question: Does the Senator
from Kansas refer to me in the allusion
he has just made"
Instantly Senator Ingalls, wheeled
around and as quick as thought could
formulate itself into words replied:
IT did not refer 70 the distinguished
successor OF Charles Sumner, but I did
allude TO the distinguished successor Of
Daniel Webster"
Senators all over the chamber were
pleased with this .repartee and they all
smiled, but those who were most pleased
were Senator Dawes and Senator Hoar.
They had been publicly alluded to by q
Senator who was himself a son of Massa-
chusetts as the successors, one of them
of Charles Sumner and the other OF Dan
iel Webster.
Senator Dawes never concealed his
qualification that he should have been
chosen by Massachusetts for the seat
in the United States Senate which had
been occupied by Charles Sumner. SEN
ator Hoar was also gratifed whenever
any OF his colleagues congratulated him
that ha Ehnnlh haVa hean hV Mas
sachusetts to the seat which once had
been occupied by Daniel Webster.
Senator Ingalls, knew OF the pardon
able pride OF these Massachusetts, men in
the fact that they had been chosen for
honors once borne by Charles Sumner and
Daniel Webster. and so II was with
kindly intent that in his repartee in an
swer to Senator Dawes question he made
public allusion to these distinguished sue
cessions.
Copyright. 1914. by 2 ]. EduAris All riEhts -
seITedl