The San Francisco call., 1899-04-12

tonight Senator G. c. Perkins divulged
secrets, dropped significant remarks and
launched criticisms teeming with sugges-
tiveness before a large and influential au-
dience in the First Congregational
Church. The address was perfect, not so
much for what the Senator said as for
what he inferred and said by indirection.
Senator Perkins took occasion TO let his
audience know his opinion of Governor
Gage, Dan Burns, Senator Hanna and the
late Legislature and several other per-
sons and things.
"Of course" said California's sole Sena-
tor, these are not Crucisms-merely
comparisons made in a social way. The
chairman has assured me there are no
scribes here, so of course / feel free.
And then the speaker looked toward the
men with pencils and paper and pro-
ceeded
Il am not going to criticize said Sen
ator Perkins. but as I stand here l can
not help contrasting the methods of our
truly great President with that of the
Governor Of California, of this great
State Do you know that out Of all the
bills introduced into the Senate President
Mckinley vetoed just one and pocketed
another? What did we see at Sacra-
mento recently? Hundreds Of bills that
We're passed by the Legislature are
tucked away in what must be one of the
most monstrOus pockets IN the State.
Surely the last Legislature must have
been very indecent or else -. Presi-
dent Mckinley is neither arrogant nor
hasJy. lie is truly great. He says to
himself tlat II Congress in its wisdom
has been ilfOrmed on measures, has de-
bated them and has passed upon them it
is but Just-nOt TO say courteous-to be-
He.a hat its members are conscientious
and intelligent; it is but right that 1
ars hewr
When the President saw in the appro-
priaCou bill large item for educational
purposes he at once put his pen to it.
When our Governor saw a bill apprO-
priating a few thousand for our State
University he thought our great institu-
tion should not have too much support
and the bill disappeared. In a similar
instance GoYernor-noW President-MC-
kiDley Of Ohio showed such force and
sagdclty that all America wanted him to
take its Scepter. do not wish to Criti-
clze anybody here tonight, but contrast
between TWO men may be interesting"
Senator Perkins did not PROFOUND the
query, what would Dan Burns think of
the United States Senate and what would
the Senate think of Dan Burns?'' but
the majority of his audience asked them
selves the question and heard the speaker
answer 1t.
The religious complexion of the Senate
IS good" said Senator Perkins. Nearly
al the members have some distinct rel-
glouS connection. I have never, in six
ears seen q United states senator go
into a saloon. Neither have L seen one
ever do anything that they need be
OF. They are, without exception,
men of sterling character, unimpeachable
morals and examples of craftsmanship.
All attend church and all are sincerely
desirOus of doing what is right and what
their constituents want
"One of the most impressive moments
in the Senate is the opening of a session.
Rev. DR.. Milburn has not seen the light
Of day for thirty-five years and for half
hat fr01 h1 hos OH mia u, r1fI I,tl
houses of Congress. AS he is led into
the Senate by the Vice President every
Senator stands and as those sightless
eyes are directed to heaven every one
feels an inspiration from his words.
have heard him repeat that sentence in
the Lords prayer, Lead US not into
voice from God. And, believe me. it met
with a response from every one of those
ninety Senators, as they Joined in the
solemn Amen
''I cannot forget that the California
Legislature at its last session did not de-
ciue upon man TO go TO the United
States Senate, but if the choice had to be
made by the people at the ballot box
there would have been Senator elected,
and l am in favor of amending the consti-
tuition so that this can be done"
Senator Hanna of Ohio, according to
Senator Perkins. has been grossly mis-
represented by a portion of the press.
After referring TO the modern methods of
journalistic criticism, the speaker said:
than he is credited with being. Since his
bOyhOod he has been the architect of his
own fortune. He is a man Of high char
acter, good standing in society and good
habits. He is a hard worker and Senator
Hanna has never to my knowledge cast a
vote in the Senate that will not stand the
Roentgen ray Of Investigation. no matter
from where directed. Don't credit all that
q partisan press says about United States
Senators, for all are good men, although
perhaps no more infallible than the Pope
of Rome.
But though all are good men, some are
the reverse of practical. They do not
catch the spirit of things easily, and have
TO be disciplined. There is a very digni-
teach men their measure. 1t is by get
ting up and leaving member talking to
empty seats and the galleries. One of
these is Tillman of South Carolina, who
is said to have been thrown into the Sen
ate with a pitchfork. He is a good man
at heart, but cannot appreciate the fact
that the report of a committee is hardly
ever altered by argument on the floor.
Tillman talks and talks and the
gallery listens, and when the bell rings
for vote the Senators file into their
seats.
"One day I asked who was speaking.
and was told it was Allen of Nebraska,
who was believing at some cattle on the
plains. On another occasion some one
asked who was talking. and the reply was
Morgan OF Alabama, who is always talk
ing but never says anything. Morgan is
a pleasant speaker but he never changes
the sentiment Of the Senate. He talks
TOO much.
Senator Proctor was the man I once
asked II II was possible TO live economi-
cally in Washington. / meant could
man live on his salary of $4,000. He re-
piled yes" that he was not economical.
but his wife was and they lived in a
house for which they paid $4,000 per year
rent That's economy in Washington.
Where there are two classes Of society
one with appetites without dinner and
Ihe ethers with dinners without appetites
and that explains all
Senator Hoar has been abused by Cali