Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-04-20
Senator Poland's EuIogy on Mr.. Foot.

Senator Poland's EuIogy on Mr.. Foot.
Mr.. President Two weeks ago
this day it was my painful duty to an
nounce to the Senate the death of my
distinguished and beloved colleague,
the Hon Solomon Foot. The little
time that elapsed between his deceasc
and the funeral ceremonies here, and
the absence of one of my colleagues
of the house, who was Mr.. Foot's i'm
mediate representative, were deemed
sufficient reasons for postponing the
customary obituary tributes to some
future day. In accordance with the
notice then given | now ask that the
Senate for a short time lay aside its
ordinary business and allow me and
others the melancholy satisfaction of
expressing our appreciation Of the
character, services and virtues of our
departed associate and friend. The
last occasion of this kind, in this cham
Der, was early in the present session,
in memory of my lamented predeces-
sor, Judge ColEamer.
No one of us will forget the clo-
quent and loving words of Mr.. Foot
on that occasion, in dwelling upon the
memory of his longtime friend and
colleague. As we looked at his ro-
bust and majestic form and listened
to his deep, rich voice and solemn,
weighty words, how little we thought
that in so short a time he, too, would
become only an object of memory and
a subject of eulogy.
Who next in this body of Repre-
sentatives of States shall be called
from this high place to the unseen
world? No one of US can tell. How
solemnly are warned that death comes
as thief in the night; and how wise
Ily are we cautioned We also
ready"
Mr.. Foot was born in Cornwall,
Addison County, Vermont, on the 18th
day of November, 1902. | have not
=. been able to learn anything in relation
to his early life: but | infer that his
family condition was such as to make
all attainment and advancement i'll life
depend on his own efforts and iaborS.
| infer this from the fact that he grad,
uated from Middlebury College about
1926 or 1927, and somewhat later in
life than is usual for young men where
the means of education are provided
bv others. After his graduation he
spent some time in teaching, and al
, the same time studying law. After
his admission to the bar he commenced
practice in the town of Rutland, Vt.
and that continued to be his place OF
residence up to the time OF his death
: He was elected Representative from
the town of Rutland to the Vernon
House of Representatives in 1888
4 1886, 1887, 1888, and again in th'
{ year 1917. and during the last thrc,
of those years was Speaker OF tn
House lie was 4 member of th,
L State Constitutional Convention il
1886, which made the important alter
/ alton in our State Constitution of cA
II changing the old Legislative Counci
for State Senate. lie also held til
u Office of Prosecuting Attorney 70
IL Rutland county from 1886 to Isl.
, In 1872 Mr.. Foot was elected to til
u lower house of Congress and reclec
+ ed in 1911, but declined further elc,
II ton. In 1850 he was elected to til
&c Senate ofthe United States, re-clcctc
c in 1856, and again in 1862. and {
II the time of his death was the oldc;
10 member in continuous service In TIL
l. body. Mr.. Foot very soon attained
o. respectable position as lawyer. II
IL was careful and attentive to the inte
20 ests of his clients and always mac
d full and elaborate preparation for tt
y trial of his causes. If his life ha
ID been devoted to his profession
E. would doubtless have attained hi
v rank as "a lawyer But his attcnti(
y was early turned to political III
III and his professional career was t.
I; broken and desultory TO enable hi
ID to attain the highest distinction in
CT His ability and character were far b.
81 ter suited to a public and populi
e- rather than mere professional Ii
: He had been but very few years
. the bar, and a resident of the town
en- Rutland, when he was chosen to re
resent that town in the State Legis
llf tur". 1t was quite rare at that d
IT. that so young man was chosen
iii represent one of the oldest and mi
in important towns in the State, a
re- which contained many leading pub
he men. But he had already attained
he high position as an able and popu
a speaker upon public and politi
to questions, and his career in the st;
IA Legislature added to this a reputati
m as wise aid careful legislator.
.he was as Speaker of the Vermont HoI
lrs of representatives that he display
les that almost wonderful aptitude d
wv capacity as the presiding officer o
7as deliberative assembly, which aft
vas ward made him so celebrated throu
no out the nation, when he became
ing presiding officer of the Senate of
me United States, as perhaps the best
h a siding officer in the whole couni
me He seemed almost to have been N;
for the position. His fine, male
person, his dignitied department,
90 full aud rich voice, his easy and gr;
Lan full manner, all conspircd to m
hon m him most usefu! and acceptable p
Lat dent over any assembly. His knt
rhe edge OF parliamentary law AID usa
oou was very thorough, but not more
ton probably, than many others. Ills
;ng pcriority in this respect appea
80 born in, him.. His look preserved