New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-19
THE FATHER OF THE SENATE.
SENATOR MORRILLs GREEN OLD AGE
AND wELL-ROUNDED CAREER.

HIS RECENT BIRrHDAY-GALUsHA A. GROW. An
OTHER ACTIVE AND VENERABLE STATES
MAN--cHANGEs IN WASHINGTON DUR
mo THEIR TIME-GOSsIP OF
THE CAPITAL.
Washington, April IS (SpeciaD.-As rule, 1t
Is the new statesmen in Congress who write the
longest biographical sketches In THE Congress
eional Directory" They 60 into details with
minuteness bordering on solemnty that Is some
times udicrous OF course there are eXceptiohs'
and now and then, the new man writes OF MINI
self with exceeding brevty: While. on the other
hand. It sometimes happens that the man Vi WHO
experience and National reputation contributes
good deal OF reading matter to THE DIRECTORY.
The latter instances are rare however, as the
better kno vn Senator or Representative Is. the
less he has to say about himself.
The oldest man in Congress. In years ana ser'-
ice. writes his biographical sketch in less than
.even modest lines-Senator Morrill-who has
inst passed his eighty-sixth birthday and has
given q continuous Congressional service OF
forty-one wears. In these few lines there Is SIM
ply the mention Of a common school and academic
education followed by the business OF mer-
chant. and afterward agricultural pursuits, the
Congresses in which he was member OF the
House OF Representatives and the date OF enter
ing the Senate. That is all. But service SO iohs
from first to last so high and honorable anu
useful to his country. speaks Tor Itself "oiu'
can neither add to nor take from the lame Oh
career so completely rounded as the pubic ana
private life Of Senator Morrill,
Al his last denomination, Senator Morrill, told
ta1yi ing
. man Of his age reminding them Of what his
age would be at the end Of another slX years.
saving he would step aside for the choice OF
Younger man. Their answer was that MS ex-
perience alone would be more valuable to Ver-
mont than the work o, new. though younger
man In other words 1t was their desire that
the,r Senator who had served his State and coun-
try an long and we'll should die in the harness.
Mr. Morrill, entered the House Of Representa-
tive. IN 1859 as a member of the XXNlNth Con-
rress After service of twelve years he stepped
frorn the House to the Senate In March, 1901.
with the close Of his present term. March, 1885,
he u,,u have been in the Senate just thirty
years.
Senator Morrilrs record is that Of corscien-
tious steady. rheaded systematic worker
always prompt and decisive, never nasty IN
legislation. His evenness of temperament anu
character Is rare among men. He 8 not OF an
AGGRESSIVE nature therefore. while he mas hosts
~ the most loyal friends, he probably mas not
an enemy in the world He Las accomplished
nothing by aggression, but everything py q"e'
cnyieldng firmness, never-ceasihg persistence
optimistic patience and above all hoHes'' "a
purpose and faith in the measures ne ao'ov".e'
ut may be for years II may be forever ou.
he pegs away In spite OF obstacles tha' "ou'u
discourage a less persistt mt end determined mat
IRE and as his colleagues say, always ee'S
there" The magnificent Congressman L'orai'
building is an example Of Senator Morriii pre-
dominant traits Of persistence ana quiet 'oeA-
like frmness 1t has taken him nearly twenty
-, nersstent effort to make the new library
building an accomplished fact. now growing ua'
nv dav before his eyes into thing OF Deau.H
a., ,orever" One wonders II there VIII
%, be somewhere a little niche set aside lor
%,s. ~ the venerable statesman who led the
thorcht and realization Of the great work. IL
,or,d ba IN keeping with the sentiment taxing
.xnross,on IN the agricultural colleges throughout
tho country where busts OF marble or oroh"e a'e
he,np n,aced to commemorate the author OF the
hill establishing these colleges.
A,wevs mindful OF the interests OF the STATE
no reoresents SO ably and faithfuhy' senator
Morrill, Is conspicuous for breadth OF nina anu
nr,de IN the welfare and progress OF the Na',o"a'
Canital. 1t has been with him duty ana p'eas-
IRE TO push such improvements as wouiu "ianc
Sr,s,h,ng,on q CITY OF which the people Of every
State would be justly proud Senator "oi' III
has owned hts home in Washington nearly d
quarter OF a century. 1t is not one OF the great
houses IN the meaning Of splendor and aesthet'c
tastee But 1t Is a beautiful home. with re-
Aned. gracious hospitality. where the charm OF
the lost and hostess Is largely In the oio-iasn-
toned courtesy which Is becoming more rare ia
the shifting changes Of official society. "n"e
forming new friendships as the years 20 OIL
Senator and Mrs. Morrill, have. In singuiariy
marked way held to friendships OF pasr genera
lions Many Of the letters and kilograms OF con-
~ratulation received on the Senator's plrthoay
were from children or grandchildren OF t"e'
sarly friends They came from East and west
nre friend near the Grand Canon Of the Colo
.odo telegraphing birthday greetings from the
pockies TO the Green Mountains" The Senator
49,. a,wove been averse TO receiving birthday
~,sts but he cannot refuse flowers. and the rares'
h,o.soms are sent to grace his birthday party
An such profusion that the Morril house IS
weritabie flower garden for week afterward
This year there were wonderful orcnus tioi''
. Vermont friends, and roses from Boston ana
troro Washington people such an array OF ines
roses. volets and pansies as one seldom sees a.
r any party. Neither can the Senator prsvens nrs
|, "dronpine into poetry" on these happy occa.
sions. Every year for the last twelve years
Horatio King has sent his poeticai gfee,,nss
following in person as guest at the oirthaas
nartv. This year the Rev. DR.. Sunderland ADDED
some felcitous verses. The birthday was IN.
more delightful all around. because OF senator
Morr,lIs good health. apparently as vigorous
~ at any time In ten years. Indeed. everypod.
~ that the senior Senator from Vermont was
not eighty-six years old. but eignty-s'x years
young.
rwenty-eight years ago three men. VINO were
chi. week in the public eye'--one OF them ceie
brat,ng the e ghty-sixth anniversary OF his birth
..h.r at the age OF eghty-three. suddenl,