Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-02-24
UNCLE SAM, ESQUIRE
[p.pp.r Pot o.tory Il ii. Hou.. s. Oliver own kuhnl
Third House Of Congress.

["Peppsr Pot oratory'' IN the 4
Pepper Pot oratory" That's the
way a member of the great national
1 house Of representatives once graphi-
cally described the forensical efforts
Of the more than 400 members of the
body. The house, thru the years, has
been noted for its turbulent sessions.
Its many men of many minds long
have furnished to the nation some Of
its most brilliant bits OF eloquence,
rapier like satire and econvulsing wit,
while going about caring for the prob
lens of the nation, and as one MEM
Der remarked. The greater the prob
ilem the more heated the debate, the
brighter and more vicious the COLO
guy"
Like nearly everything else the house
of representatives makes the most
progress when it is most silent. AS a
rule the verbal fireworks are sure
sign that the members are not actually,
progressing on their program Of legis-
| lation. and that a field day OF oratory
sometimes for political effects be-
! ing held. t
1
! the rather satirieal term applied to this
!! feature of the house by the members
of the press gallery. or course, there
are cltmtaxes when really great
: speeches are heard on constructive and
vital matters, but measuring the legal
enactments by the yar1sttck, 1t will
be found that effective progress that
, shapes the mass of proposed legisla-
/ ton into law is done without much
clamor.
Not so long ago one of these mem
bers had called into play "the balmy
winds sweeping on to the sea-" "the
beautiful lilies of April with their pun
gent sweetness" and sparkling stars
in that great azure canopy above" in
; order that he might get small meas
ure thru the house, which interested
only the citizens of his district. One
of the, few members of the body who
had patiently sat thru the outburst Of
eloquence, calmly arose to his feet at
| ter 1t was over and addressing the
speaker said:
"The gentleman's speech to an hour
glass;
Does some resemblance show;
/ Because. the longer time it runs,
The shallower does it grow
= = =
Great national measures which come
before the house for consideration
which affect a large number of the citi-
zens ana over which there may be di-
vision Of opinion bring on forensical
battles of pronounced heat. And. be
it known during these verbal engage
ments the members Of the house never
are bashful about entering into per
sonalities. If they do not like meas
ure or any part Of its contents they
are quick to say so. II they take ex-,
ceptions to the method Of the major
ity or minority in supporting or OPP
posing a bill they say so. And, the
man that crosses their path Of opinion
Is sure to be the target eventually of
his opponents wrath. One word leads
to another but the members lof the
house figuratively speaking, wax fat
on the barhs of opposition.
One day in the house a certain
member with the majority spoke loud
4y and long citing many advantages to
fbe gained thru the pending bill. He
closed with great oratorical effect. An
other member Immediately arose.
Mr. Speaker" he said. .to wonder
now at Balaam's ass is weak; Is there
a,day that asses do not speak,"
The house was convulsed. A three
hour speech was Offset in the time It
takes to tell it.
"Uncle Joe" Cannon used to be
chairman of the appropriations COM
mtttee of the house and by virtue Of
this was entrusted with plotting great
money bills thru the body when they
tok f0r
member from New York arose and
pointing his finger at Uncle joe" who
had just championed the approval Of a
certain clause, bitterly asked:
why didn't you stand by the pro-
position which the house made at
your instance? Why are you backing
down at the first fire? You are mis-
named. You're not a Cannon but
Toy Musket"
Z Speaker Champ Clark, when minor
ity leader of the house also once was
the victim of the laughs Of the entire
body during the consideration OF
civil service bill The late Representa-
tive Hepburn had discussed at length
on the democratic attitude in regard to
the measure and Champ Clark, one of
the greatest lighters the house has
ever known, arose.
Il would like to know how you came
to the conclusion that everybody on
this side is in favor Of the repeal Of
the whole business"
/, Simply because that would be
wrong flashed Hepburn.
Not infreouently a speaker Is con-
stantly annoyed by disconcerting ques-
tons not only from those who oppose
the proposition he may be advocating.
but those who just naturally like to
irritate. They ask questions on every
thing under the sun in order to ruffle
the orator and one Of these at one
time meA his match in quick -witted
member who had struggled along for
Ave or six minutes. He said:
'1Mr. Speaker, the gentleman reminds
me Of that famous old time epitaph,
Here lies the body OF Robert Cor
don,
Voice almighty and mouth accordin'
Stranger. tread lightly near the won
der,
by thunder
It is the jokers Of the house who
bring about most consterDation to the
INITIATED speaker. The man who has
weathered the storms OF many sessions
Is not perturbed in the least by the
side-renaraks or even more direct In
,terruptions whether they be vindictive
or OF amusing character But, woe be
unto. the new member OF the house