took any physical
exercise; at least he did not do so during the time that I knew
him. He was so much of a student, and so interested in books, that
he seemed to think that time devoted to the proper care of his
physical condition was so much time wasted. The result was that
when disease attacked him he became an easy prey, and when he passed
away it was said that he bore all the marks of a very old man, even
though he was comparatively young in years. It was my sad duty,
as a member of the United States Senate, to attend his funeral in
St. Paul, in 1900.

The northwest section of the United States has not now, and never
had before, as capable a scholar and statesman as Cushman K. Davis.

I succeeded Senator Davis as chairman of the Committee on Foreign
Relations. I have enjoyed my work on the committee more than I
have enjoyed any other work that I have done in the Senate. There
are a number of reasons for this. First, the members of the
committee, during my service, have been particularly able and
agreeable men, and during those years some of the greatest men of
the Senate have been numbered among its members. Aside from one,
whom I have long since forgiven, I do not recall now that I have
had a single controversy or unkind word with any member. In
addition, the work is not only of the greatest importance, but it
has been very satisfactory, because partisanship has not at all
entered into the disposition of matters pertaining to our foreign
affairs. The members of the committee during my time have always
seemed to take a deep interest in the work coming before them, and,
unlike most of the committees of the Senate, it has never been
difficult to secure the attendance of a working quorum. In the
ten years that I have been chairman, I do not believe the committee
has ever been compelled to adjourn for want of a quorum when any
important business was before it.

Until his death in 1911, Senator Wm. P. Frye, of Maine, was in
point of service the oldest member of the committee. He had served
as one of its members ever since 1885. He could have been chairman,
by right of seniority, when Mr. Davis was made chairman in 1891,
on the retirement of Mr. Sherman; and again he could have become
chairman when Senator Davis died. He did act in that capacity for
nearly a year, but he always seemed to prefer the chairmanship of
the Committee on Commerce.

I believe that the late Senator Hanna had a good deal to do wi