Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-03-29
Distinguished Service.
Bangor Commercial.

Bangor Commercial.
Hon. Eugene Hale on Friday re-
turned home from Washington where,
with the expiration Of the 61st Con-
gress, he completed term of service
that has continued for forty years,
and which has honored him and also
the State that he has SO ably repre-
scented.
Mr.. Hale has been prominently in
the public eye in Maine for almost
half q century. Following nine years
OF service as county attorney of Han
cock county, he was for two sessions
q member OF the Maine house of rep
resentstives, being elected in 1868 to
the 41st Congress. During five ses-
sions he was chosen to membership in
the national House and then was
elected to the United States Senate to
succeed Hon. Hannibal Hamlin, who
declined reelection. His term in the
Senate commenced in March, 1881,
and has since been continuous.
Early in his Washington career, Mr..
Hale became conspicuous for ability,
and during his latter terms he has
been nationally recognized a. the
leading constructive statesman Of
Congress. His high qualities of
craftsmanship received their due re-
cognition BY his appointment to the
most important Of the committees.
Thus for many years as chairman Of
the committee on naval affairs he was
foremost in shaping the navy of the
nation and his wise counsel saw the
country equipped with suitable and
sufficient navy while preventing un-
wise and vast expenditures. At the
expiration of his term he was serving
as chairman Of the great committee
on appropriations, acting chairman of
that on public expenditures and also
on the committees on finance, census
and naval affairs. He is also a mem
Der Of the monetary commission.
In addition to these very important
positions Senator Hale was the recog-
nised leader of his party in the upper
branch of Congress and the ultimate
decision as to the party position rested
with him more than with any one man.
Senator Hale has proven himself
q constructive statesman OF the high
est order and it can be truly said that
during his thirty years in the Senate,
there has been no senator who has
played q more important part. Nor
mas anyone to his credit higher rec
ord of legislative enactment of his
own origination for the Improvement
OF the business interests of the nation.
Senator hale has made himself felt
in debate, and while never seeking
oratorical effect has always been
feared in argument, 1t having often
been said that no member of the Sem
ate is able to equal him in placing his
points before the body in a concise,
convincing manner while his grasp of
figures and statistics has been the
marvel Of his opponents. He has
never played to the galleries or sought
the popular acclaim; indeed has often
taken course that brought him into
disfavor, although the course of
events has later substantiated his
Judgment.
And during hia long term OF forty
years in the halls OF the national Con-
gress, Senator bale has consistently
and constantly remained faithful to
the best interests of the State that he
has 90 honorably represented. he has
not allowed his national prominence
to permit Interference with his allegi-
ance to his own State.
Recognized as one OF the greatest of
the senators of the last half century,
Senator Hale has rounded out a re-
markable career and now returns
home, having served his State and his
country with distinguished ability and
henored by his colleagues and the |
people Of Maine withous distinction
of party.