Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-04-06
-fiI HI'NiI NHfiN WV - N IIiltitIll.l IN' NI #
SHattbnan & Stair 5ournal.
BY L P. WALTON .ht
ai MONTPELIER. APRIE6, 1866.
SOLOMON FOOT.

The late distinguished Senator was born. reared
and educated ia Vermont During his whole life
be was a citizen Of the State, and died il its ser
vice. He was born in Cornwall Nov 10, 1902 +
graduated at Mddlebury College in 1926 served
as tutor in the University Of Vermont, 1878,
and in 1881 entered upon bis profession as a
lawyer at Rutland, where be has since resided
He served in the Vermont House Of Representa-
tiyes as member for Rutland in '3s 'S6 81, '8s and
AZ, and iH the three last named terms he was
Speaker Of The House--a position 90 admirably
fed as to give him high reputation in the State,
and win that popular favor which sent him spee-
Oily TO The House Of Representatives N Congress,
aud afterwards 70 the Senate. IN 1886 be was
melnbcr Of the Gon1itui,6nal Convention which
abolished the Council and established the Senate
as coordinate branch Of the Legislature "A
work in which Air. Foot co-operlted with his late
colleague, Senator Colamer. From 1886 TO 1912
Mr.. Foot was States Attorney for Rutland County;
from 1913 70 1917 member of Congress. and
from 1850 I'LL his death Senator Of the United
States. His service in Congress covered nearly
tventy-three years OF his life, with an nterregnum
Of three years, making his Congressional service
nearly twenty years-being longer, we think. than
the service of any member Of either branch Of the
present Congress.
As lawyer Mr. Foot did not reach 10 the
highest rank He was not acute enough for the
swift and sharp encounters Of the barr his mental
processes were not quick enough; and for the
same reason be rarely ventured in extemporaneous
debate IN House OF Senate We imagine that he
thought best with pen 10 hand, as many scholars
do. At amy rate, hc was accustomed to study his
points, and loved to cast bis thoughts in strong
mould, requiring deliberaton ia thought and
choice OF language SO whenever he ala speak, it
was done strongly and eloqaendy. With his MAJ
estio presence, deep voice. and well chosen and
impressive language, he always commanded the
admiration of popular audiences, no matter how
large and backing these powers by strong will,
hc was an effective man in any cause in which he
engaged lie was most eminent. however, as a
presiding officer and in that position his services
were more frequently required in the Senate than
those Of any other senator. Though not so long
or so often President pro tempore Of that body
by election Of the Senate (for party reasons), he
oitenest called upon to discharge the duties Of
the Office by other incumbeuts of the chair, be-
cause ne was the most efficient This faculty
marked him as a it for the office of Vice
President Of the United States, and, had he not
declined the position, he would have been a strong
candidate 10 the Baltimore Convention OF ls64.-
He declined, in Difference specially to Vice-Pres-
dent Hamln who WIS preferred by him, and sub
sequently united with the Vermont delegation in
voting for Mr. johnson.
II will thus be seen that Mr. Foot's position in
the Senate was high and his services valuable
His death, ike that OF Senator Collamer is a ca
lamity to that hody the places they filled cannot
De filled as they fllcd them; and The Senate Of the
United States will again sincerely mourn. And
our Stlte alasl how quickly have It's mighty ones
fallen. Senator Collamer served the nation best
on tho great questions that test the strength Of
craftsmanship; aud in that field be WAS without a
superior in the Senate. Senator Foot served his
State best 10y prompt, energetic aud efficient ac-
ton n an that concerned the interests Of the State
or rs citizens, in the Senate, in the Departments
and with rhe Executive. Both acted in perfect
harmony; but Senator Foot was eminently faith
iu and successful servant of the State striving to
repay, with his best powers, the heaviest debt Of
gratitude ever imposed by the State upon any cit
i1en. He alone received the honor Of three cleo
tons TO the Senate for full terms. How he priced
the honor all can imagine when they read that in
his dying moments he asked TO be raised 50 as 10
look once more upon the porlico and walls of the
beloved Senate Chamber How he priced it we
know, as a witness Of his zeal and idelity in the
duties Of bis great station.