 | Mark Twain`s speeches; with an introduction by William Dean Howells. |  |
WATER-SUPPLY.
Mr. Clemens visited Albany on February 27 and 28, 1901. The privileges of the floor were granted to him, and he was asked to make a short address to the Senate.
MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN,-I do not know how to thank you sufficiently for this high honor which you are conferring upon me. I have for the second time now enjoyed this kind of prodigal hospitality-in the other House yesterday, to-day in this one. I am a modest man, and diffident about appearing before legislative bodies, and yet utterly and entirely appreciative of a courtesy like this when it is extended to me, and I thank you very much for it.
If I had the privilege, which unfortunately I have not got, of suggesting things to the legislators in my individual capacity, I would so enjoy the opportunity that I would not charge anything for it at all. I would do that without a salary. I would give them the benefit of my wisdom and experience in legislative bodies, and if I could have had the privilege for a few minutes of giving advice to the other House I should have liked to, but of course I could not undertake it, as they did not ask me to do it-but if they had only asked me!
Now that the House is considering a measure which is to furnish a water-supply to the city of New York, why, permit me to say I live in New York myself. I know all about its ways, its desires, and its residents, and-if I had the privilege-I should have urged them not to weary themselves over a measure like that to furnish water to the city of New York, for we never drink it.
But I will not venture to advise this body, as I only venture to advise bodies who are not present.
| Mark Twain`s speeches; with an introduction by William Dean Howells. | |