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<h2> WATER-SUPPLY </h2>
<p>Mr. Clemens visited Albany on February 27 and 28, 1901. The<br/>
privileges of the floor were granted to him and he was asked to make a<br/>
short address to the Senate.<br/></p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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!</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>But I will not venture to advise this body, as I only venture to advise
bodies who are, not present.</p>
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