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eady by fall。
The New York Sun commented on the speech as follows：
〃One of the happiest impromptu oratorical efforts that we have heard for some time was that made by Barnum at the benefit performance given for his employees on Friday afternoon。 If a stranger wanted to satisfy himself how the great showman had managed so to monopolize the ear and eye of the public during his long career； he could not have had a better opportunity of doing so than by listening to this address。 Every word； though delivered with apparent carelessness； struck a key…note in the hearts of his listeners。 Simple； forcible and touching； it showed how thoroughly this extraordinary man comprehends the character of his countrymen； and how easily he can play upon their feelings。
〃Those who look upon Barnum as a mere charlatan； have really no knowledge of him。 It would be easy to demonstrate that the qualities that have placed him in his present position of notoriety and affluence would； in another pursuit； have raised him to far greater eminence。 In his breadth of views； his profound knowledge of mankind； his courage under reverses； his indomitable perseverance； his ready eloquence and his admirable business tact； we recognize the elements that are conducive to success in most other pursuits。 More than almost any other living man； Barnum may be said to be a representative type of the American mind。〃
CHAPTER XXXVIII。 POLITICAL LIFE。
IN THE CONNECTICUT LEGISLATURETHE GREAT RAILROAD FIGHTBARNUM'S EFFECTIVE STROKECANVASSING FOR A UNITED STATES SENATORBARNUM'S CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGNA CHALLENGE THAT WAS NOT ACCEPTED。
During his legislative career Mr。 Barnum made many new friends and pleasant acquaintances； and there were many events great and small which tended to make the session memorable。 Barnum was by no means an idle member。 On several occasions； indeed； he took a most conspicuous part in debates and in framing legislation。 On one occasion； a Representative； who was a lawyer； introduced resolutions to reduce the number of Representatives； urging that the 〃House〃 was too large and ponderous a body to work smoothly； that a smaller number of persons could accomplish business more rapidly and completely； and； in fact； that the Connecticut Legislature was so large that the members did not have time to get acquainted with each other before the body adjourned sine die。 Barnum replied； that the larger the number of Representatives； the more difficult it would be to tamper with them； and if they all could not become personally acquainted； so much the better； for there would be fewer 〃rings；〃 and less facilities for forcing improper legislation。
〃As the House seems to be thin now； I will move to lay my resolutions on the table；〃 remarked the member； 〃but I shall call them up when there is a full House。〃
〃According to the gentleman's own theory；〃 Barnum replied； 〃the smaller the number； the surer are we to arrive at correct conclusions。 Now； therefore； is just the time to decide； and I move that the gentleman's resolutions be considered。〃 This proposition was seconded amid a roar of laughter； and the resolutions were almost unanimously voted down； before the member fairly comprehended what was going on。 He afterwards acknowledged it as a pretty fair joke； and at any rate as an effective one。
At this time Connecticut had two capitals； Hartford and New Haven。 The State House at Hartford was a wretched old building； too small and entirely unfit for the purposes to which it was devoted； and that at New Haven was scarcely better。 Barnum made a strong effort to secure the erection of new buildings in both cities； and was made chairman of the committee having the matter in charge。 During his investigations he ascertained that Bridgeport； Middletown and Meriden would each be willing to erect a fine new State House at its own cost； for the sake of being made the capital of the State。 Thus the jealousy of Hartford and New Haven was greatly aroused； and committees of citizens waited upon Mr。 Barnum； beseeching him not to press the matter of removing the capital。 In the end nothing definite was done； but years afterward Hartford was made the sole capital and one of the finest public buildings in the world was erected there。
The most notable event of the whole session however occurred near its close； when Barnum introduced a bill to amend the railroad law of the State by inserting in it the following：
〃Section 508。 No railroad company； which has had a system of commutation fares in force for more than four years； shall abolish； alter； or modify the same； except for the regulation of the price charged for such commutation； and such price shall； in no case； be raised to an extent that shall alter the ratio between such commutation and the rates then charged for way fare； on the railroad of such company。〃
The New York and New Haven Railroad Company seemed determined to move heaven and earth to prevent the passage of this law。 The halls of legislation were thronged with railroad lobbyists； who button…holed nearly every member。 Barnum's motives were attacked； and the most foolish slanders were circulated。 Not only every legal man in the House was arrayed against him； but occasionally a 〃country member；〃 who had promised to stick by and aid in checking the cupidity of railroad managers； would drop off； and be found voting on the other side。 〃I devoted；〃 says Barnum； 〃many hours； and even days； to explaining the true state of things to the members from the rural regions； and； although the prospect of carrying this great reform looked rather dark； I felt that I had a majority of the honest and disinterested members of the House with me。 Finally； Senator Ballard informed me that he had canvassed the Senate； and was convinced that the bill could be carried through that body if I could be equally successful with the House。〃
The date of the final debate and vote was fixed for the morning of July 13。 At that time the excitement was intense。 The State House was crowded with railroad lobbyists； for nearly every railroad in the State had made common cause with the New York and New Haven Company； and every Representative was in his seat； excepting the sick man； who had doctored the railroads till he needed doctoring himself。 The debate was led off by skirmishers on each side； and was finally closed on the part of the railroads by Mr。 Harrison； of New Haven； who was chairman of the railroad committee。 Mr。 Harrison was a close and forcible debater and a clear…headed lawyer。 His speech exhibited considerable thought； and his earnestness and high character as a gentleman of honor carried much weight。 Besides； his position as chairman of the committee naturally influenced some votes。 He claimed to understand thoroughly the merits of the question； from having； in his capacity as chairman； heard all the testimony and arguments which had come before that committee； and a majority of the committee； after due deliberation； had reported against the proposed bill。
Mr。 Barnum arose to close the debate。 He endeavored to state briefly the gist of the whole case。 〃Only a few years before；〃 he said； 〃the New York and New Haven Company had fixed their own price for commute