Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-02-17
.E|:!ulll|,ogy OF. Senator.
....., Martin: 2.
Delivered in therHouse by Hon: 1
Walton Moore on February 3D.:

Mfr Speaker: others who we're il
close contact With Senator Martin
have already described him in those
relations where the tender ties of at.
lection and intimate friendship are
formed. | am looking back upon his
career as = puhar man during his oc-
cupancy Of me only Office he ever
sought or filled. What were some OF
the qualities that enabled him as 4
Senator to reach a position Of extra
ordinary Influence and usefulness
He had mind capable Of widely sur
yaying conditions, and yet Indifferent
co no detail; cautions in arriving at
conclusions and resolute in maintain
irg them; confident in its operations,
hut always recognizing that in a
world made mp Gf endless conflictin-
interests and opinions, effort is frit-
tered away without cooperation and
at every step reasonable concession
and compromise. He had a sound
body that could stand the strain Of
unusual toll. Ul.fagging devotion to
his duties and persistent industry at
forded him comprehensive knowl-
edge and grasp cf the business with
which he dealt. He had great per
sonal magnetism, that incefinable
gift which draws and holds adher-
cnts, and counts for so much II Great
ing leadership. Thus, superior to
most men IN the essentials of success
he, realized the ambition of his life
and heais now numbered among those
who have rendered highly conspicu'
Gus and valuable service to the coun.
try.
When he entered the Senate, it was
no easy field in which to win distinc
ton. 1t had become, with perhan'
one exception. nc most powerful ler
islative body ia the world, and it,
power by no, means declined durinr
his membership.
Tt may be interesting to note for
moment the processes that have made
The Senate Tnat it is. Many Of tn
founders of the Government believe
that it would Prove less importan
than the House of Representatives
1t was the thought Of some Of then
that it would necessarily remain veal
CT because net Epringing so direct.
from the people. They were no
reckoning, however, with the. posi-
bilitv that, after q while, it NIGH
become as democratic in spirit IS tn
House, and they perhaps gave too lit
tie weight to the following considera
tions: It's more immediate relation tc
tho executive in respect to appoint
ments and foreign affairs; the indi
vidual experience and maturity at
taching to o longer term Of service
and the probability that it would al
ways be really deliberate bo,:y Will
the House might in some degree
cease to be 50. In the beginning j.
appeared that tae forecast of Alexani
der Hamilton and those who share'
his views might be verified, For sew
eralsyaars;She SeRate aSSaa fe'atrel'
unimbortant. That Was due to cir
cumstarces that II the course Of TIM
disappeared. A controlling eircum
stance was that it made the n,istak'
Of separating itself, in a sense, froIr
the people by holding its sessions n
secret. That was the practice unt's
1875; in spite of the protest: Of. th
legislature Of Virginia which wa
presented and argued by Eichar'
Henry Lee, but received the supper;
CT only Lee and his colleague. Gray.
son, and William Maclay of Pennsyl.;
yania. Wise action taken behin<
closed doors anG eloquent speeche.
which nobody beard were wasted or
a suspicious and hostile public Sew
eral Of tho "sc.. eminent rnc!. VIII
had entered The Senate when it wat
organized soon withdrew from sit
nation which thcs' found uncorgenial
Another circumstance was the size o.
its membership.
A legislative body may be too small
rs well as too large, and at the star
the Senate was Under the disadvanr.
age of being too small--so small that
until 1910 it me- lie no use of standin>
committees charged with the duty Of
thoroughly Investigating particula'
subjects. But th:s difficulty was oves
come as new States Were admitted
BY 1912 the membership had riser
from &c 10 IS and by 1s45 to SO
Meanwhile, the membership Of the
House was being rapidly enlarged.
The origina! nu,Eber of 65 had risen
by 1881 to 24o An inclination to
check the increase shown more thar
once between 1880 and 1860 was fin
lily abandoned. and in 1871 the mum.
Der was placed It 293, IN 1901 ut sol