New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-11
GREETINGS TO SPOONER
DEFENDS THE SENATE.
Country's Safeguard, He Tells Wis
conSiR Society.

eo,stor John c. S9ooner. OF Wisconsin, whose
.osignation from the upper house OF Congress will
a, a few DAYS be officially in effect. was the guest
= h5nor last night az the dinner of the Wisconsin
ro,iety Of New York At the Wadorf-Astoria- Seldom
tss q man in public life or private been the re-
,-ie7t II a warmer public tribute from his fellow
,,,zer,s than was last night paid 10 the retiring
,rior Senator Of the Badger State.
Among TIE two hundred and fifty members and
,,osts who greeted Senator Spooner were men OF
ss,,,inence from many states and from many
srjed felds OF endeavor. Al Of them united IN the
,rriause as tie Senator arose TO deliver what
night ne termed his valedictory to public life and
marked his introduction citizen OF New York
senator spooner spoke 10 the toast The United
STATES senate" His voice ouvered as ne began
his speech; hearty fervor of the reception given
10 him by his fellow citizens, whom he had so
long ably and hcnorably served. clearly sank deep
into his heart and stihed at the outset his elo-
cuence Of expression.
The senator acknowledged the honor done him,
saving in appreciation Of fl, My heart beats too
ranidly for comfort" lie told Of his effort TO
serye his state faithfully. Of the functions of the
Senator and said that his career had been both
laborious and sseTihciaL Senator Spooner's speech
IN part follows
Referring 10 the allusion Of your President to nv
service in the Senate Of the United States and my
snproaclng retirement thercfrom; l trust may.
without immudesty, say that have never looked
nuch to be coveted, except opportunity AZ;
ror7p6 ID people
As an leaving ii never TO return. let say a
las been hagshy criticised II IL too much per-
haps to expect that it should be popular body;
ne 1oi,ia T Gasy m VAS expected that the
House of Representatiles coming directly and
often from the people. might be at times more
extreme than the real public interest would justify
and the Senate WAS TO be the conservative body 10
safeguard the people against hasty, passionate or
affirmed that it has fulfilled the Office for which II
Il is my conviction that there is not in the world
q legislative body more loyal to the public interest
theory that. having been made part Of tie APP
pointing power With The President. its members
practically have usurped the function Of nOmina-
ear er VIII Mr. c,leveiand's administration il has
- -, So ARE tbna Tor f6e senate 10 reject a
nomination made by the President: II there have
siiution makes the Senator part Of the appoint
ing power and that the selections therefore We're
10 be made by the advice aud consent OF Sena
Tor from the state, the great body of the Senate
s re az senate has been greatly criticised UPON the
theory that in amending treaties il has usurped the
treaties From the foundation II the government
the Senate has eHerclseu nc risAl, Wlefe me 9o
s slI[o' - n ~ The spreme Court Of The
United States has sustained this power. have
known treaties-many treaties-a careful study OF
lnent. which ought not to have been ratified with
out amendment, and which TO have rejected out
right would have been harmful.
Some complaint has been made about the de:
its debates. Perhaps there would be less debate in
the Senate if t:ere were more debate in the co.
+.1, I, s ,,1e aniiirai 10 The ,,nworafla
number Of the body. Its number is so great as TO
make the body unweildy, compelling legislation
largely by committee. Under this necessary system
a few members OF the body exercise the power OF
legislation. This is necessary result, and, while
suits a Legislative way under the leadership OF
Reed and Crisp ana Henderson and Cannon. i
surely is not an ideal situation This country will
never tully appreciate the wise strength in critical
times OF the Speaker whom 1 have last named
We are IA the midst or an epoch making period
ana such a period is naturally a period Of unrest
and il has not lasted TOO long. il may be truth,
fuzzy said to have had its origin in the local dis
closure ~ intolerabIe evils. which everywhere
shocked the public conscience, which TO be aroused,
Frequent allusicn is made IN the public press TO
the prevalence Of general public suspicion TO the
integrity Of corporate methods and management
Iioutanle mainly TO agitation think IS not true
ure Of publicity in the details OF corporate manage
Ilent and larger exercise Of supervisory power
70 prevent legal and dishonest administration and
corporate injustces to the public.
party Affiliations in the demand for The extirpation
OF graft No one Is opposed TO this but the graft
iously Observed and IL violated shan he adeofatef
punished They demand that railway rebates and
oLef UNJUST Determinations shall absolutely and
permanently CEASE This is just demand, and to
accomplish their disoont rluance only the strict en-
lIgIeeaeit of laws already enacted is necessary.
state. primarily for The public benefit ana service
domain.
carry the kind OF freight between the same
tsrHinl tor one person or corporation at a secret
sha lesser rate than il exacts the same time
rom competitor for the same service.
ME-. - ssnliy end reasonableness Of The American
lendencs OF our prosperity upon The eTeat rms
10 tney are dependent upon the people for their
ch experience IN public fo Ras taught g5f m 3Hg
sast N me public service there is no safe place
AT AZ pssson prejudice or overspeed. 1t takes time
INC ~ patience 10 reorgsnize The business methods
cssss snty mions q people 1t does not follow be-
ma ~ y j. not being wisely or well done.
federal or state jurisdiction which It is not my
sst wish 10 see corrected. But ] refuse be
.helples OF government embodied in the Constitu-
car ba t ost c9antiy IN my view almost any evil
mouno upon our constitutional system OF govern
soyeregnty Of The federal and Separately Of the
s sac soFernments- Our Constitution has well de-
49, fee s re encomiums OF Marshall and Gladstone
~ or Tie long line OF eminent judges and states
dsv b @Eo nom The time OF its adoption on TO this
ne b perfection Of human wisdom and foresight.
women. think the world is growing better not
fo TIse. II is my conviction that never in his
eaS. las lle standard OF honor among the public
fleLaIly and among the business men OF the coun-
me- ny been higher than II IS to-day. I have su-
sbboIsht OF the people, their wisdom and justice
s,I5 honesty OF purpose and their loyalty to the
-1'i14ileniai principles OF their government
Senator Thomas Carter. Of Montana, answered to
me toast "The Guest OF Honor" His tribute 10 his
colleague Was eloquent and forceful. He said, in
part.
busies are losing Senator and you are gaining
Of our baGS n a most capable and exalted member
10 r1nether am attending wake or wedding?
sia'ation before May. can safely say that there
bH9t De dry throat in the country.
Ss2 family and 70 get into better Be s relation ay With IL 5
Eords aceouht We regret his retirement more than
$780, can express. We know his work in the
rositS h 10 met every requirement !n that COM