The evening times., 1897-03-04

The Retiring Vice Presidents Feel
ing Address to- His Colleagues.

ing Address to- His Colleagues
Vice President Stevenson said farewell
to the Senate in a speech OF some lengthahd
full OF feeling.
Senators: 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 gayel for the
last time, 1 may be pardOned for OBTAINING
you for a moment, in the attempt to give
expression to my gratitude for the uniform
courtesy extended me-for the many kind
nesses shown me- during the time it has
been my good fortune to preside over
your deliberations. My appreciation OF the
resolution OF the Senate personal TO my
self, can find no adequate expression in
words. Intentionally, have at no time
given offense; and carry from this pres
ence no shadow OF feeling OF unkindness
toward any Senator-no memory OF
grievance.
.Chief among the favOrs political for
tune has bestowed upon me 1 count that
OF having been the associate, and Of having
known something OF the friendship, Of the
men with whom have SO long held official
relation in this chamber. To have been the
presiding officer Of this august body is
an honor of which even the most iilustri-
Gus citizen might be proud. / am per
suaded that no occupant Of this chair, dur
ing the los years OF or constitutional lis
tory, ever entered upon the discharge Of
the duties pertaining to this office more
deeply impressed with sense of the re-
sponsibiliJies imposed, or with higher
appreciation Of the character and dignity
of the great legislative assembly.
"DuIing the term just closing, ques-
tions of deep import TO political parties,
and to the country, have here found
earnest, and at times passionate dis
eussion This chamber has, indeed.
been the arena OF great debate. The
record of four years OF parliamentary
struggles, of masterful debates, of Inn
portant legislation, is closed. and passes
now 10 the domain Of history.
II think / can truly say, in the words
of distinguished predecessor: In the
discharge of my official duties, have
known no cause, no party, no friend
1t has been my earnest endeavor justly
to interpret, and faithfully to execute,
the Rules OF the Senate. At times the
temptation may be strong to compass
partisan ends by q disregard or a per-
version of the rules. Yet, l think it
safe TO say, the result, however salutary,
will be dearly purchased by departure
from the methods prescribed by the Sen
ate for its own guidance. single in
stance, as indicated. might prove the
forerunneT OF untold evils.
81 IT will be recorded for precedent,
A nd many an error, by the same example,
VIII rush into the State
1T must not he forgotten that the rules
governing this body are founded deep in
human experience; that they are the re-
suit OF centuries of tireless effort in legis-
lative 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 limit to
it's own power. OF those who clsmor
against the Senate, and it's methods of
procedure, il may he truly said: They
know not what they do In this chamber
alone are preserved without restraint, two
essentials of wise legislation and OF good
government right Of amendment and
of debate. Great evils often result from
basty iegislation-rarely from the delay
which follows full discussion and delibera-
ton In my humble Judgment. the his
toric Senate-preseTving the unrestricted
right of amendment and debate, maintain
ing intact the time-honored parliamentary
methods and amenities which unfatingly
secure action after deliberation-posse
in our scheme of government a value which
can not he measured by words.
The Senate is a perpetual tody- lnthe
terse words OF aneminent Senator now pres
ent: The men who framed the Constird-
ton had studied thoroughly all former at
tempts at republican government. History
was strewn with the wrecks OF unsuccessful
democracies. Sometimes the usuTpation or
the executive COVER. sometimes the tickle
ness and unbridled license of the people,
had brought popular governments TO de-
structioa. To guard against these dangers
they placed their chief Ope in the Senate
- The Senate which was organized
MISC, at the Inauguration OF the govern
ment. abides and will continue to abide,
one and the same body, until the republic
itself shall be overthrown, OF time shah
be no more.
s.Twenty-four Senator's who have occu-
MED seats in this chamber during my term
of office are no longer members of this
body. Five of that number Stanford, Col
Quit, Vance, Stockbridge. and Wilson -
shattered with the contentious OF the great
baIl-full Of years and honors, have passed
from earthly scenes. The fall of the gavel
will conclude the long and honorable terms
Of service of other Senators, who viii be
borne in kind remembrance by their asso-
ciates who remain.
II would do violence to my feelings IL
failed to express my thanks to the Officers
OF this body for the fidelity with which
they have discharged their important
duties and for the timely assistance and
unfailing courtesy of which l have been
the recipient.
For the able and distinguished gentle
man who succeeds me as your presiding
officer, earnestly invoke the same co op-
Grafton and courtesy you have so eener-
ously accorded me-
Senators: My parting words nave been
spoken. and / now discharge my last off
cial duty, that OF declaring the Senate ad-
journed, without day"
MIR HOBART IN OFFICE.