Evening star., 1920-12-06
HARDING SPEAKS IN SE,NA TIE
AS CONGRESS RECONVE,NES:
ASK 81, 1858, $50, 759 BUDGET
TEXT OF HARDING SPEECH
BEFORE SENATE TODAY

Il am pleased at this greeting oy
fellow members of the Senate. There
is still greater satisfaction in having
this opportunity to say to you IN
formally some of the things in my
heart which 1 could utter In no other
way. I recognize that I am mere to-
day under somewhat unusual circum-
stances. and there is a delicacy about
1t that one in my position cannoI
escape except through some form OF
self-effacement which does not seem
quite possible.
Reluctant to Leave Senate.
mo member Of this body could be
more reluctant to leave it. l may say
to the Senate that ] came here with
am leaving it with greater respect
than that with which I came. II one
could always direct his own political
fortunes to his liking, l should have
preferred my membership here to any
Office a citizen may hold in this re-
like the freedom. the association, tne
patriotic sense of responsibility which
abides here. l am conscious OF the
great place which Congress holds
under our Constitution, and parficu- :
larly sensible to the obligations or
the Senate. When my responsibilities
begin in the executive capacity she'll
be as mindful Of the Senate's responsi-
bilities as I have been Jealous Of them
as member, but I mean, at the same
time, to be just as insistent about the
responsibilities Of the executive. Our
governmental good fortune does not
lie in any surrender at either end OF
the Avenue, but in the coordination
and cooperation which becomes the
two in a great and truly representa-
tive popular government.
Calls Oligarchy Imaginary.
"This brings me to the thought par
ticularly in my mind.
Something has been said about the
senatorial oligarchy. OF course, every
one here knows that to be bit OF
highly imaginative and harmless fc-
ton. But do recognize how essen
tial is the helpfulness of the Senate
in the making OF successful admin
istration. l want to express today the
wish Of colleague for the confidence
and the cooperation of the members
OF this body in the four years which
begin next March 4. I do not limit
this sincere request to this side Of the
aisle. One cannot promise agreement
which is sometimes insistently wrong,
but we may find common ground In
the spirit Of service. and I hope for
that agreeable and courteous and Oft
times helpful relationship with the
opposite side which has added to the
past six years.
I'VE are facing NO easy task. We
have our full part in the Yeadjustment
of human affairs after the world
tumult. We have our tasks at home,
we have our part In the inevitable
work of the civilized world. am
sH isss H saaf sss 81 vts
to take common counsel, 10 Be toll
Grant of one another and give the
best which is in. all Of - to attain
the ends which tecttffie our rkpub1ip
At home, and will maintain It'll high
place among the nations OF the earth.
Has Ne. sneeearffsas NSysss
with propfiety { eannoss venture
upon anys su9gestibfis t16ws even
though. am speaking as q member
of this body. Three months Of the
present administration remain; and
would have House and Senate Join
cordially in" making them fruitful
rather than wasted months. There is
so much TO be done. and we have all
ready had SO much delay, that /
should like unanimous recoenition
that there are no party ends to serve,
but precious days are calling for
service to our common country.
II cannot resist the repetition Of
my regret that my associations on
this floor and in committee rooms are
ending today. It has been happy
and proud experience. Let me ex-
press the hope. to one and all. that,
though there comes change in off,
cial relationship, it will not interrupt
our cooperation nor deprive US Of
the personal fellowship which ]
have found to be a great compensa.
ton for the sacrifices of conscientious
public service"