Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-12-01

Porter, Gen. Fred D. Grant, Alfred
Mosely, the English educator; the Rev.
DR.. William r. Huntington, Sir Percy
Sanderson, Karl G.. Buenz, and others.
President Morris X. Jesup, who pre-,
sided. read letter from President
Roosevelt. in which the president said
that he was down in Panama with his
own eyes seeing what had been done
towards starting the canal work. a
telegram was read from Commander
Peary, in which the pole-hunter sent
word that he was on his way home,
after planting the Stars and Stripes
at the point of farthest approach TO
the north pole.
The dinner, which marked the 13Sth
birthday of the chamb er, was perhaps
the most elaborate in its history. Gov
ers in the grand ball room of the Wal
dorf were laid for nearly 700, and
there were no absentees save three,
Lord Curzon of Kedleston, Admiral
Dewey and Ambassador Henry White.
Senator Elkins' Address.
Senator Elkins, in responding to the
toast, spoke as follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the
Chamber of Commerce.:
l am asked to say something for the
senate. | could talk about its cen
fury of existence but | remember that
this is the 13Sth annual banquet of
this ancient and honorable body,
which was organized in 1868 and can
boast of more than century of signal
services to this wonderful city. In
point of age this chamber of commerce
outranks the senate about twenty-one
years.
What should | say in this presence
for the senate of the United States.
which generally in it's own time and
in it's own way performs it's duties.
After mature deliberation, it acts on
all questions that come before it and
then leaves the record it makes to
speak for it. In this way the senate
has spoken for hundred years and
in no other way does the senate speak
for itself. The senate needs no words
of defence and never has with we'll
informed, loyal and true Americans.
The senate was organized on the
9th day Of April, 1889, and in law and
fact has been the same body and a
continuous organization ever since
that date, and will remain organized
and the same body as long as the
government endures. Two-thirds of
the members of the senate are always
in Office and there is never less than
a majority ready for duty.
The methods of procedure of the
senate are simple, orderly and digni-
fled. One moment the presiding officer
pronounces the senate adjourned sine
die, the next moment the presiding Of
fcer announces the senate will be in
order, and it proceeds at once to the
kdispatch of business. No interruption,
Delay or friction ever occurs from the
election of officers. The presiding Of
Ger of the senate is not member
that body and not elected by il,
ut by the people.
Men are sifted and weighed in the
lance before they reach the senate
the most part the senate is made
of men beyond middle age, tried,
ure and full of experience. There
six ex-governors ON one of the
ing committees of the senate The
I'd of a senator's official life is
times that of a member of the
and one and one-half times long
IN that of the president
he senate there Is TO limit to de-
Except by unanimous consent 1t
The one legislative body in the
world where member can be heard
on every question as long as he
wishes. Naturally and wisely the SEN
ate moves slowly. 1t takes time for
the consideration and discussion of
all great questions. 1t cannot be hur-
ried into taking action, reaching con-
clusions or making decisions. 1t has
been we'll said:
"The senate is a school, the world
history its text book. The record of
a single days proceedings frequently
SHOWS range of work as wide as
Christendom."
The senate has extraordinary pow.
ers, the most varied and the greatest
OF any legislative body on the earth.
1t combines legislative, judicial and
executive. In matters of legislation
the senate acts with the house and the
president. and is purely a legislative