News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1916-09-06

on Education aud Labor. He early gave
attention to the subject of Vocational
Education and, as some question has been
raised as to the degree OF credit to which
| he is entitled, l do not hesitate to saw tina {
when that measure becomes a law, as it
surely will, he will be- as much entitled to
credit 10 securing its adoption as senator
morrill, was entitled to credit in connec-
ton with the establishment of the Land
Grant Colleges. Senator Page worked
substantially alone upon this measure
| Tor period of two or three years. He
gave it bis time. his effort, and his means.
He put himself in touch with educators
in every part of the nation, published
| their views 10 the world, made them
known to the Senate and, by his tireless
and resistless energy, impressed that
body with the Importance of the move
ment His speech of July 5th, 1912, was
most comprehensive presentation of
the question. 1t has been the fountain
of Information from which educators and
statesmen have since drawn their mate
erial in advocacy of the measure. Its
value was so apparent that the Senate, on
the day of its delivery, orderded 1t print
ed as public document, and thousands
of copies have been distributed in every
part OF the country.
In the 63rd Congress the bill passed
the Senate as the result of Senator Pages
persistent efforts, but it did not pass the
House that time because of peculiar po-
litical conditions then existing. But in
the present Congress the bill was again
introduced. considered by the Commit
tee on Education and Labor and heartily
endorsed by the Democratic members
(uow in the majority as we'll as the Re-
nj h IS
and was again favorably reported to the
Senate. On July oath, 1915, Senator
Page again addressed the Senate at
length in advocacy of this measure and
few days later Senator Hoke Smith of
Georgia, Chairman of the Committee,
expressed the hope that an hour might
be given in which, with the aid of the
Senator from Vermont (Mr. Page)" the
bill might be fully presented and brought
to a vote. In his remarks at this time
Senator Smith stated his recognition of
the fact that had the Senate remained
Republican, Senator Page would have re-
manned the leader and he the helper,
and added, 81. almost regret that
we have Democratic majority and that
he is not in charge of the bill instead of
myself" In the debate which followed,
Senator Thomas of Colorado, referring
to the measure as monument to Senator
Pages career, said, 81 am sure it will
Keep his memory fresh and green in the
hearts of grateful posterity."
At that time the District of Columbia
Bill, in charge of Senator
John Walter Smith of Maryland, was the
unfinished business, and it was upon an
appeal made to him by Senator Page, in
the course of the debate, that consent
oix that ha A 4; 10,
temporarily laid aside that vote might |
be taken upon the Vocational Education |
Bill. This was done and the measure |
passed the Senate by a unanimous vote. |
AS member of the Committee on |
Banking and Currency, Senator Page has |
On all occasions been present at its |
meetings and has taken an active part in !
shaping up the important legislation |
which that committee has, in latter years,
had under consideration. The most i'm
)ortant piece of legislation recently
from that committee is what |
S known as the Rural Credits Bill and,
n view of the fact that his opposition to
hat measure has been the subject of crit
cism, l want to say that l fully share
lis views and hold to the opinion that
he reasons given by him for his action,
md which have been published by the
ferm0nt press, are sound, and that time
will justify his position.
l do not know how l can better indi-
ate Senator Pages general standing in
he Senate than to adopt the language of
enator Lodge when he said, Ellis ability
nd activity in the work of the Senate
re unquesJoned by any one who is
amiliar with the work of that body"
1 have written more at length than 1
Intended because it seemed necessary in
rider to set the Senator's record right re-
arding his measure providing for voca-
onal education. No one less intimately
ssociated with him than 1 have been
an properly comprehend the drafts
'hich have been made upon his vitality
1 his work for the advancement of that
leasure. For period of two or three !
ears it occupied his thought and dom-N
lated his life, and to have twice secured
S passage through the Senate is an hon.
r which must in some degree repay him
'r his many anxieties and tireless eff
,rts.
/ am glad to be able to write as have
one, both because of the personal ,
that has existed between Sem ,
'or Page and myself for many years,
nd because justice demands truthful
'atement of the facts as they exist.
S,naaralu