praise bestowed upon it by Mr. Gladstone, which we should never tire of remembering, in these words: As the British Constitution is the most subtle organism which has proceeded from the womb and long gestation of progressive history, so the American Constitution is, so far as I can see, the most wonderful work ever struck off at a given time by the brain and purpose of man. This anniversary conjures up in a parade of reverie and retrospection many solemn and yet comforting memories. Including the membership of the First Congress and up to the present session of the Seventy-sixth Congress 9,159 different individuals have served in the House and Senate. Thirteen hundred and sixty-two have served as Senators; 8,106 have served as Representatives; 450 have served in both Houses; 141 have served as Territorial Delegates and Commissioners. What an intriguing pageant of brain and talent, of individuality and mannerism, of humor and pathos, of provincialism and scholarship! What a thrill of interest and admiration would we of this Congress obtain if we could see and hear many of those stalwarts of the long ago, who so enthralled the admiration of their partisans and captivated the idolatry of the masses! What a stimulation of the intellect to peruse the older records of debate between the master minds of other but unforgotten days. For 138 years such Representatives and Senators have come into these Chambers, played their parts in the drama of representative government, made their contributions of service to their country's progress and development, and then are seen no more either "beckoned by the pallid messenger with the inverted torch to depart" or returned to the walks of private life from whence they came. They served their day and generation. To my brethern in both branches of Congress this should be embraced as an occasion of rededication to the best interests of our Republic. Despite the limitations of our judgments and intellectsbecause, forsooth, at no time nor under any administration, have we infallibly measured up to the full needs of the hour-nevertheless, we are the emissaries of our constituencies and the symbols of representative government. May we this day find the grace to renew the prayer of Daniel Webster, deposited in the cornerstone of this wing of the Capitol on July 4, 1851: If, therefore, it shall be hereafter the will of God that this structure shall fall from its base, that its foundation be upturned, and this deposit brought to the eyes of men, be it then known, that, on this day, the Union of the United States of America stands firm, that their Constitution still exists unimpaired, PAGEANT OF THE CONGRESS 667 and with all its original usefulness and glory; growing every day stronger and stronger in the affections of the great body of the American people, and attracting more and more the admiration of the world. And all here assembled, whether belonging to public life or to private life, with hearts devoutly thankful to Almighty God for the preservation of the liberty and happiness of the country, unite in sincere and fervent prayers that this deposit, and the walls and arches, the domes and towers, the columns and entablatures now to be erected over it may endure forever! God save the United States of America. The VICE PRESIDENT. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas, Mr. RAYBURN. Mr. RAYBURN. It is a privilege at this time to present the President Pro Tempore of the Senate of the United States, Mr. KEY PITTMAN. ADDRESS OF HONORABLE KEY PITTMAN PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE MR. PRESIDENT, Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Gentlemen of the Supreme Court, Members of the House of Representatives and the United States Senate, Gentlemen of the Diplomatic Corps, Ladies and Gentlemen: This in my opinion is the most remarkable and happiest birthday ever celebrated on behalf of a parliamentary body. This celebration is honored by the President of the United States and by the Chief Justice of the United States as heads of the other two great independent departments of our Government, the commanders in chief of every branch of our military service, and the diplomatic corps of the world. We have just listened with intense interest and pleasure to the able and comprehensive address by the distinguished Speaker of the House of Representatives with regard to the organization, the composition, and the services of Congress. There is little more to be said upon that subject. I would be pleased were the time permitted me to pay tribute to the unselfish, able, and patriotic services of the House of Representatives and the United States Senate throughout their entire history. The Congress and the people of the country are waiting, however, to hear from our President and the Chief Justice of the United States. When we realize what has been accomplished in the last 150 years, that period is exceedingly brief. When we consider, however, that this government, established in great adversity, has continued without interruption and without change, except to grow stronger each year, 150 years may be deemed in the history of governments a SENATOR PITTMAN'S ADDRESS 669 very long period of time. In fact, I assume to assert that no other government has enjoyed the same undisturbed history. The fundamental principles of our government, embodied in our great Constitution and its Bill of Rights, have remained unchanged. The right and power of our citizens under their Constitution to govern their own country has not been abridged, but has been broadened and strengthened. The three separate and independent branches of our government-legislative, executive, and judicial—have remained inviolate and have constituted the anchor of our safety which has kept us off the rocks of chaos and revolution. Our Congress has held firmly to the principles under which and for which it was created. The Senate and the House of Representatives have always conscientiously and loyally performed the respective functions of their offices, and will, I am sure, continue to do their part to protect our institutions and the liberty of our citizens. Their conduct and actions have conclusively demonstrated the wisdom of a representative form of government under a constitution such as ours. Again I take the liberty of recalling to the minds of our citizensalthough the history is well known to those present-the very difficult conditions under which our government was formed, established, and maintained. Our population at that time consisted of only 4,000,000 people. These citizens were scattered over a pioneer country whose area was larger than that of Great Britain, France, Germany, and Italy combined. There were no railroads in those days; there were few wagon roads, and such as did exist were at times almost impassable, Our states were independent sovereignties, jealous of their rights and fearful of domination by a central government. This jealousy and fear was a natural threat to the successful formation and establishment of a sound central government under a constitution. That it was ever accomplished is the highest tribute that could be paid to the greatness and patriotism of our statesmen of that day. The remarkable history of the creation, adoption, and ratification of our Constitution is recorded in the histories of every country. On yesterday I picked up a musty old volume entitled Annals of Congress, 1789-90. It is the original proceedings of the First Congress of the United States. I think for historical purposes I may be permitted to read from this record just a few lines which to me are far more expressive than any language I could use relative to what actually took place upon the organization of the First Congress and the election of the first President and the first Vice President. I find here: Proceedings of the Senate of the United States at the first session of the First Congress, begun at the City of New York, March 4, 1789. And then follows this paragraph: Wednesday, March 4, 1789. This being the day for the meeting of the New Congress, the following Members of the Senate appeared and took their seats: day, From New Hampshire, John Langdon and Paine Wingate. From Massachusetts, Caleb Strong. From Connecticut, William S. Johnson and Oliver Ellsworth. From Georgia, William Few. The Members present not being a quorum, they adjourned from day to And so from day to day the Senate adjourned, awaiting the arrival of a quorum. The senators were dragging their way through the muddy roads along the coast and over the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains. And then I find this record: Monday, April 6. Richard Henry Lee, from Virginia, then appearing, took his seat, and formed a quorum of the whole Senators of the United States. The credentials of the Members present being read and ordered to be filed, the Senate proceeded, by ballot, to the choice of a President, for the sole purpose of opening and counting the votes for President of the United States. John Langdon was elected. This language may be confusing to one not familiar with the procedure. From March 4 until April 6, when Richard Henry Lee took his seat, there being no quorum, the Senate could take no action. Until the ballots were counted it could not be officially determined who was elected Vice President. It was, therefore, necessary to elect a presiding officer solely to count the ballots, in accordance with the directions of the Convention of 1787. As soon as the House had retired after the counting of the votes, the Senate elected Langdon president pro tempore, to serve until Adams arrived, this office being named in the Constitution. This is the simple, yet dramatic statement of the organization of the United States Senate. Then continues the record of the counting of the electoral votes which resulted in the election of George Washington for President and John Adams for Vice President. It is but a brief statement, and, as it has probably been read by very few people, I believe it will be of interest to our citizens. I quote it: Ordered, That Mr. Ellsworth inform the House of Representatives that a quorum of the Senate is formed; that a President is elected for the sole purpose of opening the certificates and counting the votes of the electors of the several States in the choice of a President and Vice President of the United States; and that the Senate is now ready, in the Senate chamber to proceed, in the |