The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-03-05
STEvENSOA'S FAREWELL.
AdIai Thanks the Senate for Past
COurteSieS.


Senator's: The hour has arrived, which
marks the close OF the Fifty. fourth Con-
gress, and terminates my official relation
to this body Before Laying down the
gavel for the last time, / may be par.
donei for OBTAINING you for IL moment. in
the attempt to give expression to my
gratitude for the uniform courtesy eX.
Tended me-for the many kindnesses
shown me-during the time it has been
my good fortune to preside over your de-
alterations. My appreciation of the reso.
luton of the Senate personal to myself
can find no adequate expression i'm
words. Intentionally have at No tim,
given offense: and carry from this pres.
ence no shadow Of feeling of unkindness
towards any Senator-no memory of Il
grievance
Chief among the favors political for
tune has bestowed upon me, count
that Of having been the associate, and of
having known something of the friend.
ship, of the men with wnom 1 have so
long held official relation in this cham
Der. TO have been the presiding officer
of this august Eody is an honor of which
even the most illustrous citizen might
he proud am persuaded that no occu-
pant of this chair, during the one hund.
red and eight years of our constitutional
history ever entered upon the discharge
of the duties pertaining to this Office
more deeply impressed with sense of
the responsibilities imposed, or with IL
higher appreciation of the character and
dignity of the great legislative assembly
During the term just closing, ques-
tions of deep import to political parties,
and to the country, have here found ear.
nest, and ut times passionate GiscussioE
This chamber has indeed been the arena
e
years of parliamentary struggles, of
masterful debates, of important legisla.
ton, is closed, and passes now to the do.
main of history,
| think / can truly say, in the words of
Il distinguished predecessor:
In the discharge of my official duties,
| have known no cause, no party, no
friend 1t has been my earnest enGeav-
or justly to interpret and faithfully ex-
ecute the rules of the Senate. At times
the temptation may he strong to compass
partisan ends by IL disregard or :, perver-
sion of the rules. Yet, think it safe to
say. the result however salutary, will be
dearly purchased by departure from the
methods prescribed by the Senate for its
own guidance. y single instance, as in.
Dictated, might prove the fUrerunner OF
untold evils.
Twill he recorded for IL precedent,
and many an error, by the same example,
will rush into the state.
1t must not be forgotten that the rules
governing this body are founded deep
in human experience: that they are the
result of centuries OF tireless effort in
legislative hall. 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 to its own power. OF those who
clamor against the Senate and its meth
DDS of procedure, it may he truly said:
They know not what they do'' In
this chamber alone are preserved, without
restraint, two essentials of wise legsln.
ton and IL good government, the right of
amendment and of debate. Great evils
often result from hasty legislation, rarely
from the delay which follows full dis
cussion and dcliberation. In my humble
judgment, the historic Senate--preserv-
ing the unrestricted right OF amendment
and OF debate, maintaining intact the
time honored parliamentary methods and
amenities, which unfailingiy secure nc.
ton after liberation-possesScs in our
scheme of government II value which
cannot be measured by words
The Senate is Il perpetual body. In
the tcrsc words Of an eminent senator
now present: The men who framed the
constitution had studied thoroughly all
former attempts ut republican govern.
ment. History was strewn with the
wrecks of unsuccessful dcnocracics.
Sometimes the .uSurpation of the cNecu.
tive power, sometimes the fckleness and
unbridled license of the people had
brought popular governments to destrtlc.
ton. 70 guard against these dangers,
they placed their chief hope in the Senate
The Senate, which was organized in
1iS!l, mt the Inauguration of the govern
ment, ;thdes 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 Senator'S who had occupied
seats in this chamber during my term of
office, are no longer members OF this
body. Five of that number, Stanford,
Colquitt, Vance, Stockbridge and Will
sou, shattered with the contentious of
the Great Hall, full of years and honors,
have passed from earthly scenes. The
fall of the gave will conclude the long
and honorable terms OF service of other
Senators, who will he borne in kind re-
mem5rance by their associates who re-
main.
would do violence to my feelings if
failed to express my thanks TO the officers
of this body for the fidelity with which
they have discharged their important du-
ties, and for the timely assistance and
unfailing courtesy of which have been
the recipient. For the able and distin-
guished gentlemen who succeeds me rs
your presiding officer, | earnestly invoke
the same 60 cooperation and courtesy you
have so generously accorded me.
Senator's My parting words have
been spoken. and now discharge my
last official duty, that of declaring the
Senate adjourned without day.
There Is no doubt accorlint, to tho