Evening star., 1897-03-15

heavy cold He has at no time been Ill,
and is now so much improved he expects TO
start for Albany today.
After fifteen years of continuous public
service, first as lieutenant governor. and
then governor of New York and round
ing up with full term in the Senate here,
Mr.. Hill returns to the practice of law and
to political field where for so long time
he was easily the central figure. OF the
future he speaks with reserve But none
of his friends counts him out of the run
ming, and some of them predict for him an
early and potent temperance as the lead
er of a reorganized democratic party.
a Tribute to Washington.
In conversation last night with a repre-
sentative of The Star Mr. Hill spoke pleas
artiy Of his stay in Washington, and of
many people. both in Office and out of office
lie had met here.
Il found the climate little trying in win
Ger when ! first came" he said. II had
been used to the colder and dryer winter
weather of upper New York. But after the
hrst year i did not notice the change, and
since then everything has been pleasant
enough. Washington is a beautiful city,
and there is much here to enjoy. The social
HE Is very engaginS-too much so, l have
sometimes thought. II prevents at times
that concentration upon business which
poltical business. as a rule, demands"
The Social Features.
air. Hill was reminded that his views on
this subject had once aroused a protest
from the ladies'
i remember that, he replied. smlingly
But they really complimentary to the
ladies. The conditions of things shows how
great an influence the ladies exert 1t is
true, however, that the social life here at
times interferes with the political life. Poll
tics. as has been said of art. is jealous
mistress. The man actively IN politics and
holding an important commission at this
capital should constantly be on the alert.
He is like soldier. who cannot afford to
be careless on duty. Or, like a racer. let us
say. who must never be fed high. IL must
Keep in condition for his work or else his
work suffers. Men cannot give their days
10 business and their evenings to dinners
and receptions without showing the effects
of the strain. Business in the end will
suffer. | refer. of course only to where the
matter is carried to an extreme. A capital
without social life would he out of the ques-
ucn- The art of entertaining is admirably
Illustrated here, and | can understand why
the season attracts so many visitors
Restriction of Debate.
On the subject of the Senate Mr. Hill
spoke in cordial appreciation of many of
its members, and OF the body as whole
He declared that lawyer could serve
there without beneliting by his experience.
His powers as a debater are necessarily
quickened and improved. Legal questions
are constantly coming up and call for
something of the same examination and
treatment that ere bestowed upon them in
court. The Senate is body for debate
Men who are not lawyers even become
good deharers there.
1t was suggested 10 Mr.. Hill that a popu-
of he
lack of power to control debate there
Il sympathiZe In some measure with that
criticism he replied. There ought to be
some such rule adopted. and | tried during
NY term there to have one adopted My
proposition was that where bill had been
the subject of discussion for thirty DAYS a
motion 10 hE a day for voting on II and
all amendments should then De in order,
and vote taken on that motion without
debate. But the Senate was obdurate The
Change sooner or later. will come and
when II does come the Senate will be bene-
hted. and will wonder then why ii was de-
layed 80 long.
Referring further to the matter of limit
ing debate. Mr.. Hill said il ought not to be
carried TOO far. Too little debate or debate
too much restricted. in body like the Sen
ate. would. he thought. be worse than too
much debate. The Senate he said was
intended TO be safeguard against haste,
or immaturity in legislation and conse-
Guently should be left with free hand
The senate Strong Body
On the subject of the Senate as now COM
posed. Mr.. Hill made it plain that he took
no stock In current criticism of that body
1t is a strong body" was his phrase "and
no man is well prepared TO assert and
maintain that one who has had oppor-
tunity 10 study it Mr.. Hill referred to
severa! senators by name in high praise OF
their particular gifts and II he spoke more
than orc" of Mr.. Hoar II was proba bly be-
cause of intimate service with him on the
Judiciary committee. Mr.. Eoar!' he said
Is very able lawyer. and. although a
good partisan rises above partisaEship in
dealing with broad legal questions as easily
d any man ! have ever met"
Having said that a LAWYER benefited by
service in the Senate, Mr.. Hill was asked
tf congressional service was not to be
recommended to men aspiring TO the high
executive places.
'tnqucstionably, was his reply Mat
ters are reciprocal. The experience in ex-
ecutive office helps in the halls of IegisIa
don. and vice versa. My service as gov
ernor OF New York was OF great help to
me in the Senate. ana If i should ever again
return 10 the discharge of any executive
functions my experience as senator will
help me there.
Appreciation of Mckinley.
This brought the conversation around to
Mr.. Mckinley. and to the fact of his hav-
ing served In Congress. Mr. Hill said the
President would find his congressional ex-
perience Of benefit in his new office He
spoke in terms of appreciation of him as a
man, and recalled the fact that several
years ago. when asked TO express himself
In print on the subject of the republican
prospects for 1886, he had mentioned Mr..
Mckinley as certain to be potent factor
in the fight
Upon the whole. then. senator, you have
enjoyed your stay?'
VIII stand by His Record
Yes. and realize that / have profited by
it During my first year In the Senate. as q
candidate for my party's nomination for
President, l paid the usual penalty NV
utterances and actions were at times mis-
conceived or purposely misconstrued But
vanity, TO have secured attention when the
important questions came up, and to have
borne part In the conflict: and as review
the history | would not today cancel a sim
gle speech made or change a single vote
east. stand by the record"
About the future. senator Another term
In the Senate. say?'
Much as have enjoyed my one term.
am not thinking about a second Wen
meet the future as il unfolds itself"
Wanted II Removed.
From the Philadelphia Press.