San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-23
MFNfBFRs OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
THE UNKINDEST CUT

Senator CaraWay OF Arkansas recent
" delivered in the upper chamber OF
Congress a speech which might have
been exceptionally effective, from the
standpoint of his national audience II
not from that of his immediate listeners,
but for a single sentence thrown in with
his other remarks. By that single SEN
tence he violated the proprieties, made
himself subject to the charge of I'M
sraciousness and furnished grounds Tor
the suspicion that he intended to be
ruthlesslv unIind. Therefore his speech
cannot have the effect which it might
otherwise have produced.
He was in a fighting mood, and en-
listed in cause which many people
regard as worthy. The weapon he chose
was one of the most powerful known
to forensic combat-namely, ridicule.
But as a weapon ridicule must be used
expertly. or else it may become a men
ace to him who employs it. In that
respect it is like two-edged sword,
which, used dcxterously, with consum-
mate skill. is very deadly to ones enc
mics, but highly dangerous to the user
il he yields it awkwardly.
Senator Caravan chose his intended
victims one by one, in rapid success
sion. They were not present 10 strike
lack. but there was nothing to prevent
vicarious defense, OF which, apparently,
there was none. He began by attack
ING those whom he held to blame for
the alleged injustice imposed upon the
employees of the bureau OF engraving and
printing who were summarily discharged
about . year ago. Then he brought
down his weapon upon the heads of
several members Of the Presidents Cabl-
net. notably Attorney General Daugh-
crty. If the people as a whole could
have been watching, or rather hearing,
the assault, doubtless many of them
would have applauded the eXaggeration
that attorney General Daugherty not
only knows nothing about law, but never
has indicated any curiosity as to law
Ridicule, though of a crude variety,
was employed by the Arkansas man in
his sally upon Brigadier General Saw
yer. The Presidents physician, said
Mr.. Caraway, would be one OF the two
leading master minds" left in Washing
ton when Congress convencs next De
cember, and would still be rafting
around with his spurs, which are several
inches below his ears What DR.. Saw
yer had said or done to provoke such
clap-trap humor the public is not giver
to know.
But having slashed about with appar
ent success, Senator Caraway began t.
go wild. He ran amuck of common de
cency when he undertook to ridicul
Secretary Hughes beard. As a genera
and almost invariable rule, it is extreme
ly ill-mannered to poke fun at anybody
personal appearance; to do SO as
means of bringing him into disreput
on other counts is TO display a trai
which is commonly held objectionable
Senator Caraway's attempt to rid
cule Secretary Hughes by making face
tious reference to his beard does no
however, ocme within the general rul
which covers ill-mannered remarks.
is more discreditable to its author-an
for the simple reason that Sccretar
Hughes beard represents, or ratht
masks, misfortune. specifically,
covers a disfiguring scar.
To ridicule person on account Of d
infirmity or affliction is so obyious1
mean, if it is done knowingly, as
arouse immediate sympathy for the Ii
fortunate one and contempt for h;
who stoops to that kind of ridicul
Possibly Senator Caraway had nev
heard of the accident that left ma
upon Secretary Hughes face. But
that case his ignorance would be no
tense for man in position so hi|
as that of United States senator.