Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1905-02-02
Address of Nebraska New
United States Senator
YOUNGEST STAR IN SENATE
Hon. Elmer j. Burkett of Lam
caster County Speaks to
Legislative Members


Satives was literally packed when the
Hon. Elmer ]. Burkett was declared
by joint committee of both houses
and senate elected United States sena-
tor for term of six years beginning
on the 4th of March. The crowd which
witnessed the formality was as mixed
and as truly democratic in it's makeup
a. one could find. There were digni-
ned Judges of the supreme court, men,
'bers of the house, senators, state Off
Gals, friends and neighbors of Mr.. Bur-
kett, women, children, ragged boys
from the streets, state house employees,
business men-every class of humanity.
almost, was represented and everybody
Joined In the chorus of approval which
greeted the announcement that Mr..
Burkett had at last realized the hope
which the people of Nebraska were
pleased to hold out to him.
In his address before the joint assem-
bly, Mr. Burkett said:
Mr.. President, Mr.. Speaker and Gen
tlemen of the Legislature, deem this
election to the United States senate the
highest honor that the state can give
one. 1t is the highest position that
any state can give any man. l thank
you for it. Thank" is so small
word and so easily said, and Outlines
so lightly said, that some way it seems
almost inadequate to express my feel
ings. If the English language con-
tained stronger word of gratitude
l assure you that would use it. My
appreciation is sincere, but language
fails. AS there are no words to ex-
press grief, nor any to portray the sub
lime emotions Of joy, SO are there none
adequately to convey the feelings of
the heart bounding with gratitude.
pledge you six years of the best ser
vice that | can give to the state and
the nation as my appreciation of your
generosity here and now. 1 crave your
indulgence while I go further and
thank the people of the state who elect
ed you, and thus gave you the power
to confer this honor.
THE REPUBLICAN POLICIES.
l indulge the hope that shall merit
the continued help and support and
kindly feeling of all the people of the
state. l am elected republican and
shall be such in political matters,
where party policy divides us. believe
that republican policies are for the best
Interests of the American people. But
frst 1 am en- American citizen and a
Nebraskan. l want Nebraska to do
her part in the great work of the ma
ton. want to keep the high stand
ard which my distinguished predeces-
sorS OF all parties have set
realize that with this election there
comes much Of duty and something of
responsibility. There is also something
or achievement and something of hon
o. in being elected a United States
senator. But | have never believed
that success" in politics was simply
20 be elected to something. The prize
IL public life is not getting into office;
that is only the opportunity to con-
test for the prize. There is little in
title. The genuine reward-the cher
ished ambition of the soul is the ap-
probation of loving constituency for
some measure Of success in performing
the duties of the office You have
given me the title-I will try and make
1t honorable. You have given me the
opportunity will undertake to win
the prize.
congratulate you all upon your own
election. 1t is an expression of conf
dence that you may we'll appreciate. It
IS an old and familiar platitude that
the world wants better men," I am
an optimist and believe that the world
has the best men today and the most
or them since "The sentinel stars set
their watch in the sky" From a per-
sonal acquaintance with each of you I
believe that this legislature will be the
best that Nebraska has ever had. say
that with all Difference to the high
character of preceding legislatures,
one OF which | had the honor of be-
ing a member.
we are living in the most enlight-
ened age of the worlds history and
consequently in the most exacting ne
Rod OF human existence. And, while
we congratulate ourselves upon the
former, we must qualify ourselves for
the latter. More is expected Of man
than ever before in morals as we'll as
capacity.
HIGH STANDARD DEMANDED.
This demand upon men is no less in
private life than in public fife. It only
seems so because fewer eyes are To-
cused there. In fact, the higher stand
ard in private affairs Is responsible for
the higher demands in public office.
Behavior in private life moulds the
ethics of the nation. 1t must be OBJ
served OF every student or history that
governments have been better as the
people themselves have improved, that
governments have become humane as
the people have become enlightened,
Just as the people have become frater-
raj and strong, conservative and sub
stantial as education and Christianity
nave supplanted ignorance and super
stition. On the other hand voluptu-
GUS people has always reaped a licien-
tious abuse of government. The same
generation that furnished a weak
minded, inglorious king, fighting the
maddened, storm-tossed water of the
ocean with his blood-begrimed and i'm.
potent javelin produced, as the histor-
ian tells us, but a single virtuous wo.
man In all his kingdom to restore his
sight and appease the wrath of the
gods.
a nnOp1a and nation vyo bo, ~,