The record-union., 1897-03-05

of deep Importance to political parties
and to the country have there found
earnest and at times passionate discus
sions. This chamber has, indeed, been
the arena of great debate. The record
of four. years of parliamentary strug-
giles of masterful debates, of important
legislation is closed, and passes now to
the domain of history. 1 think 1 can
truly say in the words of distinguished
predecessor: In the discharge of my
! official duties I have known no cause,
no party, no friends
| 1T has been my earnest endeavor
justly to interpret and faithfully to ex-
ecute the rules of the Senate. At times
the temptation may be strong to COM
pass partisan ends by a disregard or a
perversion of the rules. Yet l think il
safe to say the result, how salutary,
will be dearly purchased by a departure
| from the methods prescribed by the
Senate for its own guidance. A single
| instance thus indicated might prove the
forerunner of untold evils.
Most members have forgotten that
| the rules governing this body are
founded deep in human experience:
| that they are the result of centuries of
tlreless effort in legislative halls, to
conserve to render stable and secure
the rights and liberties which have
been achieved by conflict. BY its rules
the Senate wisely fixes the limits of it's
power. OF those who clamor against
the Senate and its methods of proce-
dure 1t may truly be said: They know
not what they do. In this chamber
alone there are preserved without re-
straint two essentials of wise legsla-
ton and good government, the right of
| amendment and debate Great evils
often arise from hasty legislation,
| rarely from the delay which follows a
full discussion and deliberation. With
in my humble judgment the historic
Senate-preserving the unrestricted
right of amendment and of debate, and
maintained in the act the time honored
parliamentary methods and amenities
which unfailingly secure action after
deliberation, possesses in our scheme Of
government value which cannot be
measured by words
The Senate is a perpetual body. In
the terse words of an eminent Senator
now present, The men who framed the
Constitution had studied thoroughly all
former attempts at republican govern
ment. History was strewn from wrecks
of unsuccessful democracies. Some
times the usurpation of the executive
power, sometimes the fickleness and
unbridled license of the people. had
brought popular governments to de-
struction. To guard against the dan
gers they placed their chief hope in the
Senate. The Senate, which was
organized in 1889, at the Inauguration
of the Government, abdes and will
continue to abide one and the same
body until the Republic itself shall be
overthroWn, or time shall be no more
"Twenty-fOur Senators who have oc-
cupied seats in this chamber during my
term of office are no longer members Of
this body. Five of that number-Stan-
ford, Colquitt, Vance. Stockbridge and
Wilson, shattered with the contentious
of the hall-full of years, and of hon
ors, have passed from earthly scenes
The fall of the gavel will conclude the
long and honorable terms of service of
other Senators, who win be borne in
kind remembrance by their associates
who remain.
i would do violence to my feelings if
L failed to express my thanks to the
officials Of this body for the fidelity
with which they have discharged their
important duties, and for the timely
assistance and unfailing courtesy of
which I have been the recipient.
For the able and distinguished gen.
tleman who succeeds me as your pre-
siding officer, I earnestly invoke the
same cooperation and courtesy you
have 50 generously accorded me.
Senators, my part Of the words have
been spoken, and l now discharge my
last official duty, that of declaring the
Senate adjourned without day"