Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-08

Tho Testimonials to Lieut.. Gov. Wakefield
His Cordial Response-A Little s.Fun
With the Boys"-The Third House Sends
Senator Powers to tho United States SEN
ate-Thanls to the Speaker and Clerks of
the House-A Pleasant Closing.
THE SENATE.
The closing scenes in the Senate were less
boisterous than those of the House, partially
because there was a large number of ex-
perienced legislators in the Senate, partly
because the body is smaller, and partly be-
cause there was no aggravating episode such
as the House experienced in the loss of the
swamp land grant bill. Good order and
comparatively little confusion pervaded dur
ing the all-nlght session, and yesterday was
not marked by the boyish pranks which
quite often are characteristic of the close of
the legislature.
During the latter part of the all-night ses-
sion there was an episode which deserves
more than the brief allusion made to it in
yesterdays GLOBE. Senator E. M. Wilson
came forward near the Presidents desk and
spoke substantially as follows:
Mr.. Presidents We are not willing to close
this our last business session without making
| record of our sentiments of esteem toward our
presiding officer. As each day has passed. so
has increased our feelings of respect for your
able and impartial management of our DELHI
erations. No Senate has perhaps ever assem-
bled where action has been more free from
personal and partisan contests. Courtesy and
kindness have particularly marked our Sena-
tOrial associations. For this we have much to
! thank you. Your influence has pervaded our
| body. Your example would hush the incipient
! spirit of strife. Your kindly feeling has ever
| met response in our breasts. In parting on
the morrow from these halls we will carry to
that will long remain green in our
hearts, aid as we meet each
other in days to come our greetings will be
! much the happier for this our two months as
snciation under your protecting care. I will
| therefore offer to the Senate this resolution,
asking its adoption and that it be spread on
the records as our true and heartfelt express
| sion.
| ResolUed, That the thanks of the Senate be ten.
dered to the president of the Senate for the courte
ous impartial and able manner in which he has pre-
sided over this body.
The resolution was adopted by a rising vote
LIEUT.. GOV. wAKEFIELD's RESPONSE.
cannot do otherwise than thank you, gentle.
men Of the Senate, and do most heartily
for the very hattering commentator of my &C.
| ton as your presiding officer which is contained
in the resolution just offered by my friend,
Senator Wilson, of Hennepin, and so cordially
endorsed by you.
While this expression Of approval on your
part and response on mine may partake some
what of the formal courtesies that
| are usually attendant upon the dis
solution of legislative bodies, I entertain
| the hope that you mean something more by
your resolution than mere observance of the
proprieties of the occasion, as know that the
thankfulness with which my heart responds to
| 1t is genuine and sincere. The session now
drawing to a close has been unusually free
from those exciting political discussions that
| sometimes steal in upon legislative assem-
blies and convert the law-making hall into a
| hostile arena for acrimonious and improbable
strife.
I congratulate you that your deliberations
and discussions have been characterized in an
eminent degree by fairness to opponents and
an observance of the amenities of debate that
| contribute so largely to render the results
reached satisfactory even to the vauqushed.
think the tendency of legislative sentiment
is to more enlarged freedom from
| the old time restraints of party when problems
are presented for solution which concern alone
the welfare of the represented State. This in
dependence of thought and action has been par
ticularly noticeable during this session in the
absence of what is denominated drawing party
lines" whose sole effect is to obstruct and fet-
ter legislative action. Though you have differed
widely in regard to the true policy of national
fact that this diversity of epn tne
has no proper place in these halls while dis
cussing those subjects that pertain alone to the
welfare AID good government of our own
people. 1t Is to be hoped the precedent estab-
lished by you will be followed by future SEN
ates, and am sure the people will say amen.
This is the fourth time that Minnesota
Senate has been pleased to award me that need
of praise which is the dearest and most
highly priced reward for the attempted dis
charge of duty, and as this is the
last time that shall WELD the gavel as your
presiding officer, I am thankful to have been so
fortunate as to be able to step down from my
present position with the united assurances of
those Senators have served that in my efforts
to perform the work that was mine, have not
met with failure. AS we part now, gentlemen,
to return to our homes-again to resume the
varied occupations that constitute our life
work, l am sure we shall carry
wishes for each other and the most pleasant
memories of winter spent in the service of
the State, in which each with such light as has
been given him has'striven to do his duty and
his whole duty.
Again, gentlemen, thank you heartily and
earnestly, thank you for your resolution of en-
dorsement.
These remarks, which were uttered with
deep feeling, were received at their conclu-
sien with hearty applause. The incident
showed warmth on both sides, which was
good deal more than mere formality.