Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-04-10
Colleague of Late Senator
Delivers Fitting
Tribute
HIS LIFE SACRIFICE
Heavy Burdens and Weighty Rcspon'
sibilitics Placed Upon Him Mare
Than Eis Strength Could Bear.

Twelve Senators today paid tr!b-
ute to the late Senator Thomas 5.
Martin. cf Virginia, at a special me-
mortal session of the Senate. The
list Of speakers selected for the oc-
casion were associated FOR many
wears in the Senate with the dlstln-
guishci Virginian. Senators Swan
son and Glass were among the speak
crs. In the course Of his eulogy Mr..
Swanson said
Mr.. President, We have convened
today TO pay appropriate tribute to
the life. character, and achievements
Of our former colleague. Senator
Thomas S. Martin, Of Virginia.
Having been intimately associated
with him fer more than 80 years, |
appreciate how inadequate are my
powers Of speech to give expression
to the profound esteem, Friendship
and admiration | entertained! Tor
him to properly to portray his man
~ worth and great nobility Of char
acter. Under the shadows o: Il d"co
personal loss and sorrow III his
death, silence, if permissible 20 me,
would have been far prferahle u
speech. | am fully sensible that II
his death have lost my best, dear
est. and most intimate friend.
The reopl~ o Vir"inia passionate
ly admired him as rugged oak
wncre they could seek refuge AMI
shelter in hours Of storm and stress.
In his long service in the Senate he
never shirkcd Il roll call nor lodged
an issue. His conclusions were
reached after the most thou%htfui
and careful consideration and when
made were fcar!cssly expressed ana
firmly adhered to regardless O! a.
persona! and political consequences.
He scorncd by explanation or eva
sion to avoid fail responsibility f"-
any position ever assumed hE nm
on public questions He never acted
hastily and hence never apoi"%lzci
for his well formed ard firm convic-
,sons. These he could always SH,-
cesssully defend with the moSt 60
rent and convin"in" reasons.
Scantor Martin was without *
ccption the NEST indcfatigabIc work
o. ever knew. He was 4 marves
Of industry and energy. He had no
recreation except such as was OBJ
tanned from varied but inccssamt
work. Possessed Of splendid cen
stitu,ion, always working orderly ami
intclIigcntly, the amount of work he
could efficiently dispose Of was pro
dirious. So great was his capacity
for work tha he could attend 10 the
smallest wishes of his constituency
and still find ample time to stIG%
and dispose Of the large public Qucs-
tions which his important position
placed under his direction. lie ha,i
> genius for detail. He completely
mastered a! measures which wcr"
updcr his control in the Scnare. III :,
knowledge Of thcm was cXc@Ii2d b.
none, Tn" ease and facility with
which he passed 50 many important
measures through the Senate were
largely due to the fact that the Ser
n had full confidence in his judg-
mcnt anI integrity, and Encw he was
y.llv Informed upon ail the details
ana phases of the legislation ho
prcnoSca Ii was wonGcriu. the great
mass os detail his memory was able
clearly to retain. Combined with
these admirable sterling qualities
was i hear, aS loyal To every demand
Of friendship IL ever r0l>ated IN hu,
man breast Il can bc said Wit
equal truth Of him. as was said q
or Hickory President Jackson 81.
never failed 4 friend. he never forge
ravcr."
Another quality which he po$Scssc
almost - heroic proportions VA
the compoSurr with which he cou.
meet unavoidable miSfortWcS. Il
here his own worries and trouble
without burdeniH% others. His Ii
WAS composed Of Sparklin" Sunsnir
and darkcnc; shadows, each OF WA
ne passed through With calm rom
age. He knew his last Illness wou