The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1906-11-24
Enkins ON Senate.


Perhaps. 1t is timely that there
should be something said as to what
the United States senate is. A
great many people seem to think 1t
is merely a millionaire's club and
many hard things have been said
about it. United States Senator s.
B. Elkins in addressing the Chamber
of Commerce of New York this week
said in part of the senate and his
words form lesson that all should
know:
sThe methods of procedure of the
Senate are simple, orderly, and dig
nihed. One moment the presiding
oficer pronounces the Senate adj
journed sine die, the next moment
the presiding officer announces the
Senate Will be in order, and it pro-
peeds at once to the dispatch Of bust
ness. No interruption, delay or fric-
ton ever occurs from the election OF
oficers. The presiding officer of the
Senate is not member of that body
and not elected by It, but by the peo-
pie.
..Men are sifted and weighed in
the balance before they reach the
Senate. For the most part the SEN
ate is made mp of men beyond mid
die age, tried. mature and full of ex-
perience. There are six ex-Gover-
nors on one of the leading commit
tees of the Senate. The period of a
Senator's omcial life is three times
that of a member of the House, and
one and one-half times longer than
that of the President.
The Senate is a school. the world
history its text book. The record OF
a single days proceedings frequently
shows a range of work as wide as
Christendom.
In some quarters, a;td amongst
those not we'll informed and who do
not know the Senate, 1t is fashion
able to talk about the decadence OF
the Senate. The decadence of the
senate can only follow the decadence
of the people: and would mark a
backward movement in the social
condition, morals, intelligence and
integrity of the people So long as
the people grow in virtue and in In
telligence, live in an advanced civil
ization and under a free government,
there can be no decadence in high
places. but, instead, ever increasing
virtue and a loftier sense of duty In
our public servants. We are apt to
think and say that the present is not
equal to the past in all good things,
In patriotism, ability and purity. and
hn1CT1nr
mast. but when the time comes the
present always finds some one to
take the place of the greatest that
has fallen. The present always has
one consolation. 1t will soon become
the past to those who come after us.
we have giants among us, but they
do not always make themselves
known, nor do we always know
them. The full measure and stature
of Lincoln and Grant We're not known
by those who knew them best for
long time and not until our great
war. The hour produces the men,
Great men come forth when great
things are to he done. This Is the
experience in the business AFFAIRS OF
this great city. in banking, railroad'
ing. law and other callings.
s.The Senate demands men of abt-
.ity. experience and character. the
world is advancing in intelligence
and virtue, mankind is growing wiser
and better and so long as this CON
tinues and we enjoy the blessings oil
liberty under our present Constitu-
ton the hest men win be chosen for
high places.
.eThe continuity of the Senate It's
permanent organization, and its con-
servative character insures con-
fdence and respect for It's proceed
ings at home and abroad. In times
of excitement and aroused passions,