New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-14
A. RARE OCTOGENARlAN.
-op JUsTIN S. MORRILL,. OF YER
MONT.
us CHARACTER AND PUBLIC SfHVl'@a-''iS "AH-
~ re AND MODE or LIFE-EEMINIs-

Ian lS tSpeCldI'-lNI MOiTlI : rS-
..u, s,eech on the fnancia' poncE OF ,'e Aun''n'S
cent go brought him letters OF praise and COM
iTatoh '''' -, ali over the country The stronSes:
mehua'0' 49,, the most gratifying naturally have
in anp!o''' cory centres of Democracy. 1t
come i'o.,' on, OF view remarkable speech. AMI
from :, "a, exce.s. any OF his previous efforts on
Na'~'s' n;ncts Nhen one remembers that Senator
shin s,s already passed MS eish'E-ionrth Drtn-
NORM los, summer suffered q long and tedious
day anu ,act is worthy Of note. His intellectual
Illness -. NJ 50 advanced an age are oquaied
p''io' ~ns Other living man, Gladstone. and his
os o"'' -. been almost as remarkable In its way
career :, me srea; English statesman. Mr.. Nor
as ."~s story OF meeting one Of his constituents
"a bic travels about the country.
IN u" 80 r,s;ln Morrill, asked the granger.
prs nTn. answered the Senator, Il am Justin Nor
I'LL" ~ . M ., 1880 -
thought yer Was. .-. .,..,. ..-.o.,..,o. -, .,,.,
.,ea,,ontment Mr.. Morrls career is unique in
r' v,avs For thlriy-nine consecutive years he
40 ,srresen,ed the people Of Vermont in Senate
s ,Iorsa i longer term OF continuous service
49,, any one man has known in the history OF our
corernn,ent with the exception of Samuel Smith.
~ MARYLAND who served from 1898 to 1893. Since
his frs; few terms in the House and after the birth
~ the Morrill, tariff his political position al home
has heen an invulnerable one. He has been re-
.,r,s1 .e-u, after term without effort on his part
univ, recen;iy in conversation with one Of his con-
.i.,,.r,s Senator Morrill, remarked that his pot
,osl ufe would soon be at an end, and there would
be room for some one else
~ &" sa,d the listener. LAS long you live you
,rs, rcpresen: Vermont in the Senate. The other
fellows can wait
This Is the feeling all over the State. and "the
other fellows" realize that they must wait. The
;,n hold their
affections and their belief in the integrity of his
purposes is matter for wonder in our tickle times.
The reason for this is not apparent from super
ncial knowledge of the man. for he possesses in
no degree the personal magnetism which made Mr..
Blane's following.
4 STURDY VETERAN.
Happ,ly. Senator Morrill, is in unusual health and
spirits this winter No one OF his colleagues is as
regular IN attendance at the Senate. During the
Indictment and bitter weather of last week even ne
was In his seat every day The only change he
has made in the HABITS Of years is that he leaves
the Capitol trie earlier than formerly. In appear
ance Senator Morrill, has altered very little In the
last twenty years. His hair. which falls in cur!s
over broad and prominen; forehead. is, perhaps.
grayer, and the lines IN his face are deeper HIS
slender, loosely built figure has the same slight
s;oop between the shoulders. his face the same
kindly expression which is familiar to all those
who frequent the Senate galleries. His Whole per-
sonai;y suggests strength. ruggedness. stability.
In this Mr.. Morrill, is true exponent OF Green
Mountain civilization. and there is question II
there Is any better civilization any civilization
more honest. simpler nobler or f-eer from trckery
and guile The god of the people in this section is
accorp hment. Everything IS made TO do duty
Tor this end The men and women who show tanSi-
proof that they have not been de are the heroes
and heroines. This may in a measure explain Sen
ator Morrills popularity. HIS life has been sngu-
arly rich in accomplishment. He possesses the IN
perseverance which recognizes no obsta-
c!es-for him they do not exist and nothing Is I'M
possible Of attainment. Again. Senator NORTH is
never idle Every moment of his lie is occupied
and this habit OF meihodical and systematic work
he acquired early IN life. In this hurrying end OF
he century he never seems 10 be In a hurry ana
,et his work is always done There no clamors
rom angry constituents o? unanswered letters. lie
,eyer spssks unless ne has something 20 say. and
hat something Is always Of value. His English Is
classic in it's directness simplicity and force. ana
what ne says has been thought out with a con-
,cientious celebration that is characteristic
on his birthdays ii has long been Mr.. Morrlfs
,,,s,oc, 10 gather his friends about him. These
gatherings are very remarkable IN that all the dis
,ineuishei men and women in town come together
n honor OF the venerable Statesman. II was al one
q these birthday parties colleague SAID OF MT
Morrill, that he had probably made fewer MISTAKES
han any other man In public life Indeed ne couH
recall no mistakes for which he was responsible. an
unusual record for = public man This he attributed
n IN. fact tina, Mr. Morrill, was dispasslonate
% deliberate SO invarihy controlled by his reason
In his policy and speeches there have been no weak
places, no unprotected points.
MANNERS OF THE OLD TINE.
In manners he is simple direct earnest. with the
id school courtesy ana reserve. His manner would
almost be called cold but is barrier OF Hetence
ga:nst the mob Of ofice-seekers and those who
nave axes grind. Mr.. Morrill, is far removed
rom that school Of public men who are ha!-fei-
ovys- we'll uet-prou.se much and perform little
Ie is careful 10 perform than Re promises ana
he smallest details are not beneath his attention
n his intercourse with his colleagues ne II cordiai
ma responsive. and does his share OF the story
telling which obtains more or less In the committee
rooms at the Capitol. Mr.. Morrill, has never been
olubman. and IS not what Is known as man
nan but ne has genial. social side to his nature
He is cordially hos2itable and delights 10 satneII
his fTend' ns0sna f faoas Whs player and the
Ifter-dinner rubber. when he has some statesmen
nsiitution in his home Formerly ne was much IN
evidence In social ne but In these lste Gays ar ,ns
lis acceptances to dinners.
Senator Morrill, Is somewhat OF a booxworm. ana
pleasure anc relaxation 10 him He cares however;
md does great deal OF reading on this line Sew
ne oepeeS o a S 0
a proof in itself how broad and comprehensive his
reading has been.
NO FENCES TO BUILD.
The freedom from concern about his political ar
airs at home has given Mr. Morrill, opportunity
10 accomplish vast amount OF general legislation
After his interest in financial questions and the
tariff. the public buildings and grounds. the Library
Building and the Smithsonian have claimed his
attention. In everything that means culture ana
education for the people ne Is especially active ana
his views on such topics modern and progress
sive The beautiful library 50 near completion
owes It's existence 10 Senator Morrill,. woo had
'Athiui champion the Democratic SIDE IN Inc
person OF Senator Voorhees,. The original plan was
10 puy al the same time the library square was
purchased the square opposite and 10 erect build
ing foT the supreme Court. This idea was 100 CO.
ossal Tor the grasp Of Congress- although doubtless
Il will one day be put into execution.
Mr.. Morrill, has a charming home in Thomas