Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-04-23
THE FATHER OF THE SENATE
SENATOR MoRRlLL's WELL ROUNDED
CAREER IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
characteristics OF the Venerable Senator
Depicted by a Tribune Correspondent
-Gslusha 4. Grow of PennsyivAnia
the Father of the House.

ed in the following graCetul ana appre-
ciative tribute to Senator Morrill, from
the pen of q Washington correspondent
of the Sunday Tribune.
LAS rule, It is the new statesmen In
Congress who write the longest biograph-
ical sketches in THE Congressional Direc-
tory" They go into details with a minute
ness bordering on solemnty that Is some
times ludicrous. OF course, there are ex-
ceptions, and, now and then, the new man
writes of himself with exceeding brevity;
while, on the other hand 1t sometimes
happens that the man of wide experience
and National reputation contributes good
deal of reading matter to THE Directory
The latter instances are rare, however,
as the better known a Senator or Repre-
sentative Is, the less he has to say about
himself.
The oldest man in Congress, In years and
service writes his biographical sketch in
less than seven modest lines-Senator Nor
rill-who has just passed his eighty-sxth
birthday and has given continuous
Congressional service OF forty-one years.
In these few lines there Is simply the
mention of a common school and academic
education. followed by the business OF
merchant, and afterward agricultural
pursuits, the Congresses In which he was
a member of the House of Representatives
and the date of entering the Senate. That
Is all. But a service so long, from first to
his country, speaks for itself. Words can
neither add to nor take from the fame of
a career so completely rounded as the
public and private life of Senator Morrill,.
At his last denomination, Senator Morrill,
told his Vermont friends they were taking
q risk on a man OF his age. reminding
them OF what his age would be at the and
of another six years, saying he would step
aside for the choice of younger man.
Their answer was that his experience
alone would be more valuable to Vermont
than the work of a new. though younger,
man. In other words, II was their desire
that their Senator who had served his
State and country so long and well should
die IN the harness Mr.. Morrill entered
the House OF Representatives in 1855. as
a member of the XXX1Nth Congress.
After a service of twelve years he stepped
from the House to the Senate In Marcn,
1867. with the close OF his present term,
March, 1897. he will have been in the Sem
ate just thirty years.
SENATOR MORRILL'S RECORD.
Senator Morrill's record Is that of a
conscientious. steady, clear hearted, sys-
tematic worker, always prompt and deci-
sive, never hasty in speech or action-a
forcefill figure In National legislation. His
evenness of temperament and character
Ia rare among men. He is not OF an agrees
sive nature; therefore, while he has hosts
of the most loyal friends, he probably has
not an enemy In the world. lie mas &C
compished nothing by aggression, but
everything by quiet, unyielding firmness,
neyer-ceasng persistence, optimistic pa
thence and, above all, honesty of purpose
and faith in the measures he advocates.
''It may be for years, 1t may be forever
but he pegs away in spite or obstacles
that would discourage less persistent
md l.
leagues say, always gets there The
magnificent Congressional Library Build
ing 10 an example Of Senator Morrill
predominant traits of persistence and
quiet, rock like firmness. 1t has taken him
nearly twenty years of persistent enort 10
make the new library building an ac-
complished fact, now growing day by day
before his eyes into a thing Of beauty
and 10Y forever" One wonders II there
will not be somewhere a little niche set
aside for a bust OF the venerable states
man who led the thought of realization
of the great work. 1t would be in keeping
with the sentiment taking expression ir
the agricultural colleges throughout the
country, where busts Of marble or bronze
ara being placed to commemorate the
author of the bill establishing these col
leges,
Always mindful of the interests of the
State he represents so ably and faithfully
Senator Morrill, Is conspicuous for breadth
OF mind and pride in the welfare and pro
gress of the National Capital. 1t has beer
with him a duty and pleasure to push sucf
improvements as would make Washington
a city of which the people of every State
would be Justly proud. Senator Morril
has owned his home IN Washington nearly
quarter of a century. 1t is not one OF th'
great houses in the meaning OF splendol
and aesthetic tastes. But II Is beautiful
.Itt- s,.aH Iona nj tai
where the charm of the host and hostess
is largely in the old-fashioned courtesy
which Is becoming more rare In the shift
ing changes of official society. While
forming new friendships as the years 81
on, Senator and Mrs. Morrill, have, in
singulary marked ways held to friend
ships Of past generations. Many of the
letters and kilograms of congratulated
received on the Senator's birthday wer
from children or grandchildren Of thei
early friends. They came from East AM
West-one friend near the Grand Canon
of the Colorado. telegraphing "birthda!
greetings from the Rockies to the Gree
Mountains" The Senator has always bee
ayePse to receiving birthday gifts, but h
cannot refuse flowers, and the rarest bios
SONS are sent to grace his birthday part
in such profusion that the Morrill, hous
Is q veritable flower garden for wee
afterward. This year there were wonder
full orchids from his Vermont friends an
roses from Boston, and from Washingto
people such an array Of lilies, roses, violet
and pansies as one seldom sees at an
party Neither can the Senator proven
his friends, especially the old-time friends
from dropping into poetry" on these har
ny occasions. Every year for the las
twelve years Horatio King has sent hi
poetical greetings, following in person a
guest at the birthday party. This yea
the Rev. DR.. Sunderland added some fe
fictitious verses. The birthday was the mos
delightful all around because of the
pleasure In Senator Morrilrs good health
apparently az vigorous as at any time
10 years. Indeed, everybody felt that tn
senior senator from Vermont was not
years old. but SO years young.
SENATORIAL "REMINISCENCES
Twenty-cight years ago three men, VIII
were this week In the public eye"-or
Of them celebrating the eighty-sixth al
niversary of his birth, Another, at the az
Of eighty-three. suddenly stricken dow
after having spoken at the grave Of d.
parted friend: the third, poor. forgotte
almost, dying at the age OF seventy-s
a charge upon kind friends-twenty-eigl
years ago these three were sitting {
Judges in the most important trial ev,
held IN the United States-the impeacl
ment trial of President Andrew Johnso
Justin 8. Morrill,. of Vermont, Ii the on
one of these three who IL now In publ
life. In fact. there are now In the Unite
States senate only three of the fifty-fol
vnau,hara who wera In the aenata on Am