Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1910-03-18
TRIBUTE TO
SENATOR KEEZELL
Richmond Virginian.l

Richmond Virginian.l
All is not strife and turbidity in the
political arena. Somewhere there is
room for calm reflection and apprecia-
tion, for brotherly love and esteem.
AS a most brilliant evidence of this
fact, the Virginia Senate on Tuesday
presented to George B. Keezell, Rock
ingham county's peerless senator, two
large chests of silver in token of the
love, respect and honor in which he is
ned by his colleagues at the completion
of thirty years of faithful, loyal and
patriotic service to his native State.
and an equal period of unchallenged
integrity and fraternalism.
Senator Folkes, who made the pre-
sentation address, delivered forensic
of eloquence, feeling and conviction
which made the Senate ring with ap-
plause, and deeply touched the heart of
Senator Keezell. The junior senator
from Richmond, witty man and an in
defatigable, fearless fighter, could not
have better proved his oratorical ver-
satility. His eulogy on Senator Keezell
was a classic, and Mr.. Folkes, from
whom such an address came somewhat
in the nature of a surprise, was warmly
and heartily congratulated.
Senator Keezell, the biggest man in
the Legislature, in every sense of the
word, quivered with emotion, his eyes
were dim with the mist of joy, and his
wonted stentorian voice was husky as
he rose to make his speech of thanks.
Senator Folkes rose to question of
personal privilege as soon as the Senate
convened. Senator Saunders sat at the
clerks desk with the two chests of
silver in front of him.
"Mr. President" began Senator
Folkes, 81 desire on the part of the
Senate of Virginia to present this silver
ware to Senator who has just rounded
outsthirty years sof patriotic. practical
service to his State, Senator Keezell, the
giant from Rockingham. (Applause.
Though the gift we bestow him il
sterling silver, the gift we bestow upor
the young manhood of Virginia in him i,
sterling gold. For. thirty years hi,
character has been put to the test, ant
it has rung true and genuine at ever,
testing.
Senator Keezell's public characte
has been above the slightest reproach
He is a man who has handled in appro
pristions more than 800, 600, 600 withou
the faintest suggestion of a question
about him.
''This is tribute to his integrity
truth and genuineness from the entir
membership of this Senate. A piec
of silver from every member and office
of this body. in which he has served wit
such honor, credit and distinction.
May its polish never grow less bril-
liant, but, however it may fade, it
lustre viii always reflect back to tn
giant from Rockingham the faces of hi
comrades in the Senate of 1910.
After the applause subsided Senate
Keezell arose slowly to accept the gifts
Behind him sat smiling, sweet face
Virginia lady, Mrs. Keezell, who ais
was deeply affected by the unexpecte
presentation.
81 wish / possessed the gift of lar
guage with which to.befttingly than
the Senate of Virginia for this generou
gift and my deep appreciation of tt
honor done me" said Mr.. Keezell.
'Tt has been my pleasure and duty I
: serve great many years in the Legi
lature," he slowly continued, land
am sorry that political differences ha,
precipitated clashes and brought n
into sharp conflict and antagonism wi
some Of my fellow members at tim
because Of our varying views on Il
States best interest.
This token from my comrades