Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-03-05
VICE PRESIDENT
MAKES FINE TALK
Probably Realized 1t Was His Last
Chance Before Being Lost For
ever in the Office.

Senators;-The proprieties of this
occasion probably require few
words from one who is grateful to the
American people for the honor here
tofore done him and this day con-
summated.
No senator has, / trust, a keener
appreciation of the necessities in the
way of tact and courtesy now deyolv-
ing upon me than myself | offer no
surety as to my discharge of duties
other than a personal pledge that
will seek to familiarize myself with
them and will endeayor always to eX-
ercise that Complaisance and forbear-
ance which are essential to him who
ably pregides over great debates upon
great pubic questions by great men.
Divergent views relative to this
body would be less divergent if the
American people would come to real
ize that on all sides of real questions
much may truthfully be said. Such
an attitude Of the public mind would
eliminate the view that this body is
distinctively deliberatiye and not thor
oughly patriotic,
Charges Of bad faith based upon an
attitude Of mind or upon conduct
should never be made until it is clear
ly established that the resultant ac-
ton is the outcome of personal inter-
est or improper and dishonorable bus
mess or social relations.
Your action has not always met
with universal approval but up to
this good hour no workable substl-
tute for the exercise of the functions
Of this body has been proposed. 1t
is not needful for me here and now
to accept brief in your defense. This
body will continue to stand not be-
cause of its presiding officer, but be-
cause Of the patriotism and intelli-
gence Of its constituent members and
their devotion to our system of gov
ernment.
To my mind government is the har-
ness with which a people draws its
load Of civilization. If the harness be
properly adjusted, the load, though
heavy, will be drawn with ease and nc
part Of the people will be CALLED. The
senate is the binders, intended tc
keep the people from shying at i'm,
aginary dangers and topping into the
ditch our system of government.
So long as the binders serve thi:
purpose they are a most valuable part
Of the harness. but If they be drawn
so closely to the eyes as to prevent
the seeing Of real dangers, then they
should either be spread or done away
with entirely | am one Of those who
think that we can so adjust our blind.
ers as to meet new conditions and
render us sanely responsive to every
reasonable demand Of the people with.
out disturbing any Of the checks ant
balances Of our system Of government
and preserving with loyalty and fidcl
ity the ancient ideals Of the republic
with neither right nor desire 10 In
fringe upon the prcrogatives OF the
president so soon to be, beg the ex
Iprcsson OF the opinion that whatever
diverse views may be held relative t
the work Of this body all persons are
agreed that under the constitution The
senate Of the United Sates Is sin
gularly the guardian Of the peoples
honor; that more and more, as right
eousness is exalted among this peopl,
the idea Is becoming more firmly fiXet
That II is not vast territory grea
wealth or largo learning which mari
the real status Of America; tha
America Is to he measured by tn,
golden metewand Of honor; and, q,
the idea in her formation was tho IN
herent right of men to rule them
selves, that now she can i'll afford L
announce this doctrine in her owl
land and renounce II for an notru
ment of oppression in other lands.
Unfortunately there is no fixet
standard Of honor outside the diction
Ory The gambler may hold It to con.
slst in paying his gaming debts. the
member of the smart set, in dIvorcinl
his nelghbor's wife before taking hei
unto himself, tho senator in elimlnat-