New-York tribune., 1906-05-25
SENATOR PAGE HONORED
HUGHES PRAISES WORK.
Timothy L. Woodruff Also Speaks
-GOUernOr Sends Regrets.

Governor Sends Regrets.
Senator Alfred R. Page. of the 18th District. was
honored for his services in the recent Legislature
by his friends and constituents last night. at din
ner at Oemonico's. Fully three hundred were
present including prominent Of both parties,
ana bankers. lawyers and men Of public affairs.
CHARLES q. Hughes made the principal address, ana.
arter praising Senator Page highly for his work in
successfully engineering the sO-cent gas bill. the
repeal of the mortgage tax and other important
measures. discussed the honesty and dishonesty OF
the politicians the present era.
me other speakers. besides Senator Page. who
spoke at length on the legislation in which he has
taken part. the Rev. John P. Peters, rector
OF St MichaeIs Protestant Episcopal Church. who
was chairman Of the Committee Of Fourteen which
fought for the Prentice amendment to the Raines
law eX-Iieutenant Governor Timothy L. Woodruff
and ex-Postmaster Charles w Dayton. Governor
Frank w. Higgins sent letter of regret, in which
he said it only the extraordinary press of bust
ness at Albany that kept him away. Justice Nor
gan j. o Bren sent a long letter. highly praisng
Senator Page, and said the serious illness of his
wife alone prevented him from being present
DR.. James H. Garfield. librarian Columbia
University. presided. Charles f. Hughes loud
ly cheered when he rose 10 speak. The diners
waved napkins and made him bow many times.
In participating in this underwriting matter"
he said. Il told that there would be assess
ment but later l told that the assessment
would be purely nominal. So you will have to take
1 know his integrity and have the greatest respect
Tor his tenacity Of purpose. We have many men
9t 3d 5000 % purposes poses who don't stand up to them I
his devotions. but know he is not a backslider
and can always be depended upon. Senator Page
was largely instrumental In my connection with
the gas investigating committee. For that thank
I believe in criticism. and strict criticism. AS
William Lloyd Garrison sad II believe in the
harshness Of truth but the community owes itself
to be severe with wrong doers and also to give
terests 'eeu 70 '0Se '''a' S''u ioS1iiy 10 IT'S IN
Mr.. Hughes then spoke of attacks on the bench
and the Executive, and said it a shame that a
man lovable in himself should descend to COM
mon scold. The reference understood and was
cheered. He added:
II there is anything to be avoided it is the slurs
and reckless ISLANDERS that bring into disrepute
whether it is the executive office or the Legis-
lature or the bench. We should never forget 1t
him lacking in what is lovabIe, so that he becomes
a common scod. Let the faithless servant he who
dishonors his trust be pointed out and condemned
But let not the criticism that should be given to
love. honor and preserve 1t is Of the highest i'm
portance that we should never lose an opportunity
have served us we'll. bur that we should point out
conoerned Believe there wsS never Ss te gS wheH
they were higher
Again referring to Senator Page Mr. Hughes
said:
l congratulate our friend not only on his high
public service. but his being member of the
last Legislature. To my mind it of the
stand there for high order with no master to serve
put the people OF the state. We have great need
for men who can think sanely and have a sense of
en Is sTe f pleasure to be II here
rrtant work 1t is my pleasure t. have been con-
necIea n1Iea with many members of the Legislature I
ia fake no Pessimistic view Of the legislature be-
& eIe That that Senator Page largely stands for the new
to continue his work Of a like sort.
Senator Page in speaking of the legislative work
started by referring TO insurance legislation He
said:
Men Of the highest G ideals financially and morally
true characters The work of Destruction has been
carried on. and many were the wrecks strewn along
left the work Of building fabric that would not
har6or The abuses and should endure forever II
We mad had master mind in the presentation Of
the insurance bills 1t might have heen just as
con and not have any master mind. But can say.
master @ mind or not that that when the amendments
came from the pen of Charles z. Hughes and as
presented to the committee.
In speaking of the gas legislation. Senator Page
said:
Abuses existed throughout the length and breadth
OF the land. II became necessary for the strong
arm Of the state to arrest these abuses and again
Charles e Hughes accomplished great work
any public question unless it soon gets to be a
general free fight. We thought that SO-cent gas
was fair and reasonable charge for the people
profit.
Senator Page told OF the hill being beaten by one
vote In last years Legislature. but this year being
passed almost unanimously in the Senate.
And now he continued. 1t is enjoined by the
company. It IS of my hard luck. I don't
think it would be wise to anything more. but
to express the hope that in time the citizens OF
New York will reap the benefit of this particular
branch Of my activity
Senator Page also referred other bills includ-
ing the repeal of the Mortgage Tax law.
DIR, Peters said he spoke as a reformer. 'I am
not of those who believe all legislators are
corrupt" he said. Il believe. rather. that they are
morally above the citizens they represent. They
are much abused class in this respect
DR.. Peters had considerable fun at the expense Of
the new Assembly districts. and said: The dvis-
ions remind me of the old maps made when I
q Q Lratn nraa h.1A