Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-05

that time he didn't hit me-
Mr.. Clark remarked that 1t was wonderful
to watch the ebb and flow of individual pop
ularity on the floor of the House, and added
that eight years ago Uncle Joe Cannon
could never have been elected Speaker. al
though now he was an exceedingly popular
man, and that years ago Gen. Grosvenor
was cordially disiked by the democrats and
was now enjoying an extraordinary degree
of popularity.
Gen. Grosvenor goes FORTH" said Mr..
Clark, seventy-three years of age. l hope
he and his estimabe wife will live many
years yet, until
An old age. serene and bright,
And lovely as a Lapiand night
Shall lead them to the grave
Cloud and prolonged applause.)
john Sharp Williams then paid his compli-
ments to Mr.. Grosvenor and sad that al
though in certain sense his side of the
chamber rejoced in celebrating the retire.
ment from public life of the gentleman from
ONO, everybody really felt a sincere regret
1--WE. as WE'LL said Mr.. Williams, simply
as men, regardless of political opinions. re-
gardiess of our past turmoi!s join heartily
and sincerely in presenting to him this tes-
t:monial of his colleagues of the feeling
which they. entertain for him.
Gen. Grcsvenor's Response.
When Gen. Grosvenor got on his feet to
reply to the various gentlemen who had
spoken. he had to stand there five min
all the noise they could. The general began
by saying that lie was never more embar-
raised in his l!fe than he was lust then
ana that were he not interested grateful
and proud. he would be lacking IN the ordi-
nary sensibilit.es But he added that it was
oevcnd his power to respond in fitting and
adequate words.
AT the end of my twenty years service
ne sad, Il feel free to say there is more
OF good fellowship, more of good honest
A Of hc I'LL,
philanthropy and generosity embodied in the
\ members of the House of Representatives
IMAM In any other equal number OF men in
the world
Mr. Williams, Gen. Grosvenor remarked.
had referred to the fact that in his House
career he had not only been willing to
give, but willing to take.
Il think he said, that is one of the
cardinal principles involved in the system
OF debate in the House of Representatives.
The man who assails the minority or the
other side of the House, as the case may
be, ard cannot take that which follows,
ought not to make the assault. and some
times l have felt as l emerged from the
contest, that l really wished that had not
made the assault. IAaughter)
ordinary commonplace debate has no
great merit in the House of Representa-
tives, and the democrat who cannot say
something mean about the republican side
of this House occasionally does not meas
ure up to the standard he is required to
measure up to. daughter and applause.)
And the republican that does not answer
back, or even make the first aggression
against the democratic party, falls short of
his duty to his country. (Renewed laugh
ter and applause)
High Standard of the House.
Il have served, it is said, under five
Speakers of the House, and I want to say
this as l go out. l have served under two
democratic and three republican Speakers. 1
h
any one of those distinguished men ever did
anything mean in any ruling, in deciding any
! question: or. in any other way fell below
the standard of judicial officer of a leg
1slatve body. fApplause.) l served first
under Mr.. Carlisle; able, eloquent, great
lawyer. profound statesman; but no fairer
man ever sat in the chair of the Speaker
of the House of Representatives. Absolute
justice was the watchword of his admins
tration. Then came Mr.. Crisp; genial gen.
tie, lovable, kind, vigorous and strong,
equally honest. equally upright And then
Tom Reed. who has made a mark upon
the legislative history of the country that
will never be obliterated Then David B.
Henderson; lovabie, eloquent, genial, fair,
just, and then the Speaker OF the House
today. with more knowledge of the legis-
lation of the country, more knowledge of
| its wants, its growth, it's development. than
any other living man of the American peo-
| pie. Loud applauSe.) Fair just, prompt,
| energetic, one of the very best men in So
| cial life that 1 know; and it would be
| strange if body of men, presided over by
| these five great men, should fall short of
| measuring up to the duty that they owe
| the American people. Have they meas
| ured up? l could recapitulate the great
| men who have appeared upon this floor;
| but no better class of men from the stand
| point of true Americanism was ever here
| than are here today. Therefore, the pride
| which L feel at the kind goodbye 1 am re-
| ceiving, is enhanced by the fact that 1
| know it comes from men who are just and
honest in their expressions of opinion
| After the House adjourned Representa-
| tive Grosvenor held regular reception in
| the lobby standing beside his chest of silver
| to receive his colleagues and their best
| wishes for his future.