The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-25

Gen. James Gordon. the venerable
Senator from Mississippi, arose from his
seat in the Senate yesterday and deliv-
cred a farewell address.
It was hardly an address. though. 1t
was more like a heart-to-heart talk at
a small town gathering OF prayer meet
ing
For more than half an hour the aged
Aississippian held the attention OF the
Senate, which seemed at first 10 be hesi-
tating between surprise at the character
of the speech and admiration for the
Senator's unalloyed franlness.
Finally. however. the simplicity and
LONELINESS Of the speech caught the dig
nihed Senators, and they applauded, not
once. but twice.
Speech Makes Hit.
This violation of the rules of the Sen
ate brought no rebuke from the presid-
ing officer.
Old-timers in Washington say 1t is the
first time they have known the Senate
to indulge itself in this way in many
years.
Love one another" was the senti-
ment that Gen. Gordon chose 10 leave
with the Senate after his two brief
months Of service.
He included within the scope or his
text John D. Rockefeller. whom he pitied
because Of the suffering that money had
brought upon him. and also Senator
Hepburn, Of Idaho. who recently pro-
tested on the floor OF the Senate against
the leaning of government tents TO Con
federate veterans and against the erec-
ton of a statue of Robert E. Lee IN
StatuaTy Hall.
The retiring Mississippi Senator had
kind word for almost everybody who had
come in for criticism during his term of
service in Washington. and the whole was
interspersed with delightful anecdotes of
his own personal experiences and aspira-
tons.
All On Hand.
When Senator Gordon began his speech
there was only sprinkHng Of Senators
In the chamber. 1t wasn't long, however.
before the news Of the speech reached
the corridors and the committee rooms,
and II only needed a round Of applause
to bring nearly every Senator who was
in the building to his seat.
Senator Root sat only a few seats away
from the Mississlppian. and he. Senator
Lodge of Massachusetts,, Senator Hale OF
Maine, Senator Cullom of Illinois, and a
few others upon whom the dignity of the
Senate rests heavily paid little attention
TO the speaker at first
Some of them were studying law books,
but finally they Joined with the others in
paying a tribute to Gen. Gordon. Even
Senator Hepburn. who looked dispIeased
when the Missssippian began to talk on
Confederate affairs. Joined in the line that
shook the Senator's hand when he was
through. Senator Depew. at the conclu-
sion of Gen. Gordon's speech, arose and
said that it was the most unique speech
ever delivered in the Senate, and ex-
pressed the regret Of the Senate at part
ing with the general
No matter who his successor may be, -
said Senator Depew, ''he can't be Gen.
Gordon"
How 1t Happened.
Senator Gordon told IN the beginning
how he came TO be a United States Sena-
tor. He started out TO go TO the Senate
when he was five years old.
Il viii tell you a story" said he, you
may tell your children. and you old fel-
lows tell your grandchildren"
The Senator went on to say that when
he was a little chap HIS mother gave him
a little pasteboard map It had squares
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