A Delegate has not even the unit of political power--a vote on any measure; he can therefore form no combination to further friendly legislation in the interest of his Territory.

This is true as a general rule; but there are times, and they are not infrequent, when the House is anything else than a sedate and deliberative body of men.

He was frequently interrupted, especially by the Democrats; and he suggested to me the idea of a lion at bay, shaking off and striking at his opponents with caustic wit and scathing repartee.

In the parliamentary conflict for the floor which ensued, Blaine's superior knowledge and tact succeeded, and he was recognized by the Speaker.

He accused that great Committee of darkening its former reputation by making a report for political purposes.

He further accused them of the deliberate suppression of evidence that completely exonerated him, he drew from his pocket a certified copy of such suppressed evidence, read it to the House, and waved it in triumph amid the uproarious…

He stated in a clear and comprehensive manner what the laws of war formerly were, and how they had been modified by the generous principles of Christianity and of civilization.

He stated that now as recognized by every Christian and civilized nation, churches, hospitals, institutions of learning and other eleemosynary institutions were exempt from the ravages of war.

He spoke in eloquent terms of the sacred walls within which poets, philosophers, statesmen, lawyers, great divines and warriors, if not born, received their inspiration and were qualified for their grand missions.

He denounced the honorable gentleman from Michigan for preaching a gospel of hate and vengeance, which had heretofore well-nigh wrecked this glorious Government, which if persisted in, would keep open the wounds and sores that under a more…

I have noticed that some pungent remark, or sarcastic repartee is often more effective than a set speech.

In point of ability its members are eminently respectable, and many of them distinguished in their particular line of business, profession or thought.

The matter is well considered and in most cases clearly stated; but the delivery is often dull, listless and without animation.

This is particularly true of speeches founded on a dreary array of facts and statistics.

While the logic of such facts or figures may be very convincing, yet in the hands of most men their presentation is very uninteresting.

It may be said of the orators of the House that though they are great advocates, they are not constructive statesmen; they are orators and nothing more; they are good to show the reason for a provision and skillful in their defense of it…

Conkling, one of the most brilliant speakers in the Senate, although a member of that distinguished body for many years, is not the author of any beneficial act of legislation.

It is the constructive statesman who succeeds in writing his name permanently in the legislative history of his country.

Most of the legislation benefiting the people, or putting their rights on deeper or broader foundations, has originated with the silent workers in either House of Congress.

In my judgment it is the duty of the courts to construe all such conventions as that entered into between the government of the United States and Great Britain, with reference to the Island of San Juan, so as to avert the evil apprehended…

Was it the intention then of the high-contracting parties, to exclude all law from San Juan Island, and to make it a secure asylum for thieves and murderers?

Then, if I am correct in my conclusions, no other laws were in force on the island for the punishment of persons guilty of murder (not connected with the military), but the laws of the United States.

In fact, it would follow as a logical sequence, that if the territorial laws were excluded it would be a place 'under the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the United States,' hence, the laws of the United States would be operative there.

I can see many cogent reasons why it was desirable to exclude territorial laws and territorial officials from the island.

The exclusion of the territorial laws since the date of the convention has been open, manifest, and palpable, and I believe rightful.