Evening journal., 1914-10-09
New News Of Yesterday
How David B. Hill Pre-
pared His Speeches
BY Holland.

Upon the invitation OF David B.
Hill, then Senator from New YORK
at Washington, l called upon him one
evening in his modest apartment. /
found him busily occupied with what
] presumed was the preparation OF
speech. His sitting room. which with
the bedroom adjoining constituted his
apartment, was that Of a scholar or
student. Documents, books and all
the accessories of writing we're in
abundance IN the little room an6
there was scarcely space for visi-
tor. To the public Senator Hill was
not known as a student His reputa-
tion was based upon his political ac-
tivity and by a great many people he
was judged TO be only clever and
somewhat Machiavellian politician.
His friends, however, had good Op-
pOrtunity to know that he was not
only thorough student of the prin-
ciples and philosophy OF the science
of Jurisprudence, but also of the
political history of the United States.
using the word political net in its
partisan sense.
81 am going to make a speech in
the Senate in opposition to that
clause of the tariff bill which pro-
vides for the imposition OF an income
tax without levying It IL accordance
with the census, as the Constitution
provides an income t0z must be
levied" said Senator Hill.
"As a Democrat" / said. Il should
think this attitude Of yours on the
floor of the Senate might be some
what embarrassing"
"Oh, the question is a national one
and not a partisan Cne, and yet
think that a protest against the i'm
position Of this tax would have more
effect If it came from n Democrat
than from Republican, since we are
in the majority" said tie Senator.
ventured to ask Senator Hill how
he prepared his speeches I remin-
ded him that when James J. ingalls,
was United States Senator from
Kansas he was regarded as the
greatest master of English in that
body. l said that Senator ingalls,
had admitted that he never spoke at
any length until after careful pre-
paration, polishing his sentences, per-
fecting his English and, having done
that, memorizing his speeches.
"Oh, / never could DO that" said
Senator Hill. 'I am after two things
when / am getting ready to make a
speech, especially one whicn is likely
to create opposition. First, I want
to be thorough master Of my subject.
I want TO know the general princi-
pies and all the details of the ques-
tion. When / get a thorough mastery
of principles and the facts and have
laid down the line of argument to be
made, my speech is prepared. 1 never
bother myself about the diction.
believe that if a man thinks straight
he is pretty sure to speak under
standingly. If he has been fairly
well educated he will know how to
use the English tongue.
"In the second place, want TO
know, If possible, who is going to sup
port me and who is going to oppose
me. Now in this income tax speech
know 1 shall be FAIRLY well sup
ported by the Republican Senator's,
but l should like to know whether
any one on the Democratic side OF
the Senate will also come to my sup
port. / presume 7 cannot find out
until have delivered my speech"
A week or two later, Senator Hill
delivered his now historic speech to
the Senate in opposition to the in
come tax clause in the Wilson tariff
bill. And when the United States Su-
preme Court declared that this meas
ure was unconstitutional H. practic-
ally adopted Senator Hill's line Of
reasoning. If he we're not supported
by any Democratic Senator he had
the satisfaction at least Of knowing
that he was supported by the Su-
preme Court"
Copyright. 1914. by E. ], Edwards.
All rights reservedl
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards will tell of
can Experience Which was a Perfect
Cure"