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


! NEW YORK. April Ex-senator Chauncey
| NJ. Depew's friends. the Montauk Club.
! gave their ninth annual dinner in honor
/ Of his birthday tonight at the clubhouse
/ in Brooklyn. In the course OF his speech
i the Senator said.
/ For the ninth successive year YOU give
/ me your hearty welcome and generous
{ greeting on my birthday. Your inspiring
I 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
tton 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 a view from the inside
of the Senate as it is-and not as it is
pictured-are perIous. 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
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
ters 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.
as the millionaire's club. The persistent
repetition of this statement has created
a 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 a million
of dollars. Ten more may be able to live
upon the income Of their accumulations.
But more than three fOurths OF the Sena-
4
income beyond their salaries and what
they can gain in addition by limited oppor-
tunities from their public duties for he
practice of their professions contributions
TO magazines and other literary efforts.
Fifty letters day to be answered is a
moderate correspondence, and committee
and Senate duties fill the day. Senators, as
a rule. are willing and anxious to obtge
office seekers. They know that many
men prefer the Government service TO any
other occupation and others have earned
recognition, If opportunity offers to crafty
them by work for the party; but, with
the civil service examination to contend
with and the limited number Of vacancies f.
occurring. the difficulty Of finding a posi-
ton is very great. There are hundreds
of applicants for each place and behind
each applicant a Senator and member Of
Congress. and the one who succeeds has
simply won a prize in a lottery where 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 .
q respectful hearing. even il hating in (
speech and awkward in manner II is the .
matter which is wanted though prepare .
ton and the graces of good English. Gull /
tured style, and fine delivery are appre
ciated II is a most considerate body.
and there is a continuing courtesy and .
Difference to the wishes or the convenience /
OF a Senator making a request, which is
found in no other deliberative assembly"