Evening star., 1909-02-28
RUSSELL lAUDS COLLEAGUES
RETIRING REPRESENTATIVES,
SPEAKS AT MISSOURI SOCIETY.
Praise for Personnel of Congress and
for Work Done-Farewen to
Fellow-StateSmen.

Praising the personnel and the work of
the Sixtieth Congress, referring especially
to the House of Representatives. Joseph
j. Russell. representative from Missouri.
addressed the Missouri Society of Wash
ington last night in the Pythian Temple.
in 9th street northwest. President Lee L.
Robinson presided.
This was the farewell address of Mr.
Russell to the society. He has been de-
feated at the election for member of the
next Congress.
He discussed the merits of many mem
bers of both branches of the Congress-
saying they compared favorably with any
previous Congress.
In part, he said:
by constitutional limitation the Six
tieth Congress will die next Thursday at
but to praise it.
'SThe most interesting and distinguished
member of the House is its Speaker,
Uncle Joe Cannon. He is a unique char
aCter, man with great mental strength
unsurpassed will power. and yet. when
separted from his official duties. he is as
kind as a woman and as jOv;al as a
schoolbOy.
"JIe is personally held in very high es-
TEEN by all the members. But many Of
us are not in love with the rules by which
he governs the House. and among the
most pronounced objectors against the
present rules are the tWenty-nllle repuD-
lican insurgents.
.sNext to Uncle Joe the most distin-
guished man in this Congress is James 3.
Sherman, who will become Vice President
next Thursday. He Is personally popular
among the members.
This address would not be complete
without the name of John Sharp VIII
liams the minority leader of the first
session of this Congress. He is a giant
in intellect, a man of great learning,
very forcefui in speech and the readiest
debater in the House. He will be missed
more in the next House than any one
who leaves Congress at the end OF this
session.
''He resigned his position as minority
leader at the beginning of this session,
but his mantle has fallen upon the
shoulders of worthy successor, Champ
Clark whom you all know. He will not
only fill the place acceptably to his party
associates in the House, but will do honor
to the great state of Missouri
Permit me at this iuncture to indulge
in conditional prophecy. If the demo-
Gratis should be In the majority In the
Sixty-second Congress Champ clark VIII
be its Speaker, and If Speaker OF that
House | hope and believe he will be the
next democratic nominee for President of
the United States, and 1t Is not improb-
able that he may be the nominee even
though that Congress may not have
democratic majority.
speakers on the republican side of the
House. among them Mr.. Burton Col.
Hepburn and Mr.. Townsend, but the
most finshep orator. in my opinion, on
that side of the House is my good friend,
William a. Rodenburg of Illinois
IF | were naming a successor to Speak
er Cannon in case the House should
hereafter remain Republican. ! should
unhesitatingly say that James A. Tawney
or lanes r. Mann will succeed to that
nd off fhar Of would
position and | believe would care
full; guard the interests of the people
within the limitations fixed by their
party's policies.
Seriously speaking. l am convinced that
the American Congress is. as rule. com
posed of a high order of men. mentally
and morally. Membership here SlSnines
standing at home. and public service
here with its duties and responsibilities
tends TO beget Il genuine regard for the
welfare of constituents at home and an
anxiety to serve them faithfully and well
Among the many strong. active and
useful members of the House are I'm
derwood of Alabama, Shirley OF Ken
lucky Fitzgerald of New York. Henry
of Texas. Lever and Johnson Of South
Carolina Hitchcock of Nebrask and
Humphreys of Mississippi, all of whom
if they remain in Congress. will be among
the leaders.
mir Macon of Arkansas bears the dis
tinctiou of being the chief objector on the
democratic side of the House, and by his
vigilance and persistence saves the people
millions of dollars at every session OF
Congress and while IL may not tend to in
gratiate him in the affections of some OF
his colleagues. it ought to be appreciated
by the people of his district and the coun-
try a large.
Resolutions of regret that Representa-
tive Russell Is not to return to Congress
and OF good wishes for his future were
adopted. a musical program preceded the
speaking. Those taking part included
Miss Pearl Heck, guitar solo; Miss Clara
| Crockett and Clifford Harwood. vocal
solos and Miss Beulah Woodman. whis-
Ting solo. Miss Pearl Robson was the
! accompanst.