The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-03-05
HoBART'S SPEECH.
Tells the Senate He Viii! Try 10 Do
His Duty.

Washington, March l. Upon assum
inc the chair in the senate to-day, Vice.
President Hobart spoke as follows:
Senators: To have been elected to
preside over the Senate OF the United
States is II distinction which any citizen
would prize, aud the manifestation of
confidence which it implies is an honor
which sincerely appreciate.
MY gratitude and loyalty TO the PEG
pie of the country to whom. / owe this
honor, and my duty to you as well, de.
mand such II conservative, equitable and
conscientious construction ana enforce.
ment of your rules as shall promote the
well-beipg and prosperity of the people,
and mt the same time conserve the time
honored precedents and established tradi-
tons which have contributed to make
this tribunal the most distinguished of
the Legislative bodies in the world.
"In entering upon the duties of the
Office to which J have been chosen, feel
Il peculiar delicacy, for am aware that
your body with whom, for II time. | will
he associated, has but Il small voice IL
the selection of its presiding officer, and
that | am called upon to conduct your
deliberations, while not perhaps your
choice in point of either merit or fitness.
sit will be my constant effort to aid
you, so far rs | may. in all reasonable eN-
petition of the business of the Senate.
AID may be permitted to express the be-
lief that such expedition is the hope of
the country. All the interests Of Cover n
ment ana the advancement toward IL
higher and better condition of things cali
for prompt and positive legislation ut
your hands. To obstruct the regular
course of wise and prudent legislative nc.
ton after the fullest and freest discus
sion is neither constant with true Sena-
torial courtesy, conducive to the welfare
of the people, nor i'll compliance with
their just expectations.
while assisting in the gra"e settle
,rcnts which de:olve upon the Senate of
the United States, it will be my cndeavor
to so guide it's deliberations that it's wis
dom may I've made fruitful in works,
whilst 1T the same time exercising suci,
fairness and impartality with tl;e rules
of the Senate rs shall deserve, ut least,
your good opinion for the sincerity OF my
effort.
"Unfamiliar with your rules and man.
ner of procedure, can only promise that
will bring all the ability possess to the
FAITHFUL discharge of every duty as it may
devolve upon me. Relying always on your.
suggestions, your advice an" your 90 opera
ton, should feel unequal 10 the task did
loO uiuStluhl pntS liibb
aid AMI consideration. which you have ut
all times given to my predecessors. and
without which | could not hope TO acuuit
myself to your satisfaction or with any
degree of personal credit.
1T shall be my highest aim to Justify
the confidence the people have reposed in
me by discharging my duties in such Il
manner us to Tighten your labors, secure
your appreciation of my honest effort to
administer your rules with an eye single
to the public good, and promote the
pleasant and efliciert transaction Of pub
lie business.
II trust that our relations may be alike
agreeable that the friendships we may
form here may he genuine and lasting.
and that the work of the Senate may re-
dound to the peace and honor of the
country and the prosperity and happiness
of I'LL the people"