The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-22
THE DUTIES OF A SENATOR.
Mr. Depew's Birthday Address BE-
fore the Montauk Club


NEW YORK. April Ex-senator Chauncey
NJ. Depew's friends. the Montauk Club.
gave their ninth annua. dinner in honor
of his birthday tonight at the clubhouse
in Brooklyn. In the course of his speech
the Senator said:
For the ninth successive year you give
me your hearty welcome and generous
greeting on my birthday. Your inspiring
message has always been, God bless you
and good luck to you. In the Kaleidoscope
of the revolutions of time we have found
something on each anniversary in the ex-
periences of the year which has interviewed
for discussion and reflection. The transit
tion from private station to public life
since we met here last April gives the
thought for tonight. The differences be-
tween social life at the Capital and In the
metropolis and view from the inside
of the Senate as it is-and not as il is
pictured-are perilous. but interesting
subjects for the talk of this anniversary
of 1900.
THE society of the National Capital is
more interesting than that of great finan-
cial and commercial centres On the other
side of the sea. London. Paris, Berlin.
Vienna, and Rome are conspicuous Illus
trations. and in America Washington.
Government and governing and the re-
wards and honors of public life attract to
the Capital ambition, genius. and beauty
Political position and the official class with
their recognized precedence at both public
and private functions so level or lift, as
you please 10 view it, social standards that
brains and achievement are welcome at the
most exclusive gatherings and receive hon
or and recognition from those whose posi-
ton is founded on ancestry or money. In
elegance, refinement, and culture, the out
ward and visible forms of social life are
the same in all large cities and fashionable
summer resorts. The world of society in
the city is closely built.
AT Washington the tremendous game
of politics, national and international.
draws in everyone. All the residents. and
strangers spending the winter at the Cap
ital, find themselves suddenly having a
deep interest In the questions discussed
in the Senate and House of Representa-
tives and engaging the attention of the
President and Cabinet Cabinet minis
tiers, Ambassadors from foreign Govern
ments, and their secretaries and attaches,
Senators and Congressman, Army and
Navy officers, and accomplished under sec
retaries are met everywhere. The per-
sonal Kaleidoscope is ever changing. and
there is little talk about what people are
doing.
THE Senate is constantly represented
as the millionaire's club. The persistent
repetition of this statement has created
q general impression that it's membership
is composed of men of large wealth. The
reverse is the fact. There are ninety
Senators. Ten of them, according 20 gen.
eral belief, are worth more than million
of dollars. Ten more may be able to live
upon the income of their accumulations.
But more than three-fourths OF the Sena-
tors have little or no property and no
income beyond their salaries and what
they can gain in addition by limited oppor
tunities from their public duties for The
practice of their professions, contributions
to magazines and other literary efforts.
Fifty letters a day 20 be answered is a
moderate correspondence, and committee
and Senate duties fill the day. Senator's as
a rule, are willing and anxious to ob.ige
office seekers. They know that many
men prefer the Government service TO any
other occupation. and others have earned
recognition, II opportunity offers to crafty
them, by work for the party: but, with
tie civil service examination to contend
with and the limited number of vacancies
occurring the difficulty of finding a posi-
ton is very great. There are hundreds
of applicants for each place, and behind
each applicant Senator and member of
Congress, and the one who succeeds has
9AhPAl WIN n P4AHt IA q iNNtciS All
the rest draw blanks.
The Senate is patient and long suffer
ing. and will stand anything but eloquence.
The Senator who has something TO say
and says it lucidly and incisively is sure of
a respectful hearing. even if hating in
speech and awkward in manner II is the
matter which is wanted, though prepara-
ton and the graces of good English, Gull
tured style and fine delivery are appre-
fr1 ic- bod
and there is a continuing courtesy and
Difference to the wishes or the convenience
OF a Senator making a request which is
found in r. other deliberative assembly"