Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-05-17
Col. PrOetor's Record.

Col. Proetor's Record.
A strong effort has been made by the ad-
vocates of rival candidates to prejudice Col.
Redfeld Proctor before the people, by bold
and false and, as time will show, fruitless
assertions that his candidacy is simply a
piece OF self-sceking on his part and the
wide and favorable response to the suggcs-
ton Of his name the result of skilful imam
agement" on the part of his friends. No
man, or paper. so far as we have seen, has
been able to mention fact to sustain this
view of the case 1t is either pure surmise
or malicious misrepresentation on the part
of all who advance it.
We have heard of candidates who were
never thought of as such till they informed
other people of their aspirations and ideas of
they have any, is due solely to"work" on
the part of themselves or their under-strap-
pers. Col Proctor candidacy is not one of
that kind. 1t is case Of genuine recogni-
ton of the clean record of public service and
substantial good qualities which the people
of Vermont have been won't to demand in
their chief magistrates.
What is Col. Proctor's record? lie is
Vermonter, born Tin 1891 in the town OF
Cavendish, the main village of which bears
the name of Proctorsyille, from his family
name, and in which still stands the old
red farm house, which till comparatively
recent day stood unchanged, even to the
"latch string" which hung out Hospitality
from the door. He graduated with credit
from Dartmouth college and from the Albany
Law school. He was in Boston, in the
office of his cousin, Hon. Isaac F.
Redfeld. long Chief-Justice of the Su-
preme Court of Vermont, when the first
calls for troops came in 1861. He offered
mis- services to the Government as private
soldier; but Gen. Geo. F. Davis, of Caven-
dish, then Quartermaster- General of YER
mont, knowing his honesty, capacity and
spirit, offered him the position of Quarter
master Of the Third Vermont Regiment. He
accepted, and reported by next train at the
rendezvous, passing through Cavendish, but
not even stopping over train to let his
family and friends know of his enlistment.
We have mentioned the main facts Of his
service in the army. He was brave, pat
riotic, and faithful soldier, doing his full
duty and winning the esteem Of other brave
men. The colonelcy of the Fifteenth Regi-
ment, rendered to him unsought, was fit
ting recognition of his fitness for response
bic command. lie was an efficient and pop
ular Colonel, having the attachment and
respect OF his men, and the fullest confidence
of his superior officers. His service at Get
tysburg has been alluded to. His regiment
Brigade the day before the battle opened, to
guard the ammunition train of the First
Corps, piece of responsible service. They
were taken for this service, rather than any
other two regiments, simply because they
happened to be at the head Of the column of
march on that day. The Fifteenth was or
dered up to the field next day, under an Or
der from Gen. Sickles, which COL Proctor
could easily have avoided or questioned if he
had had particle of the sneak or coward in
his composition. He made no question. but
marched his regiment promptly to the front,
reached Cemetery Hill almost as soon as the
rest of the brigade and remained there till
noon of the next day, expecting to be en-
gagged, when the conflict, then lulling, re-
opened. Col. Proctor was ordered back for
the protection of the Corps train, by Gen.
Doubleday. Col. Proctor was reluctant to
60, and Gen. Stannard, who knew he could
rely on Proctor and the Fifteenth every time,
made special request that he might remain (;
but Gen. Doubleday insisting that the regi-
ment which had marched over the road to be
taken (thc other regiments having come by
another road) should be sent back, there
was no alternative, and the Fifteenth returned
to the less glorious but no. less imperative
duty allotted to it. We happened to be in a
case at the time, and we know that nothing
can be more grOundless and shameful than
the slurs which some members of the 'home
guard" have, with the meanest motives. at
tempted to cast upon Col. Proctor, from the
character Of the service required of him at
Gettysburg. 1t was responsible service.
He obeyed orders and did his full duty with
out thought of shrinking or Sinking. He
has always been honored and respected by
his brother officers; and they keenly resent
any imputation upon his character as an
officer and a gentleman.
Mustered honGraby from the service, Col.
Proctor returned to Vermont and, having
been successful farmer after leaving col
lege, and believing the farmers calling to be
as honorable and worthy as any, he went to
farming. The Sutherland Falls Marble
Company being in difficulty. he was appoint
ed receiver Of the company. He took hold
of its affairs with characteristic energy and
industry, rescued the company from its EN-
barrassments, and has doubled its means and
value. lie has not acquired wealth but
he has developed and built up business
which employs over 200 hands. lie is kind,
considerate and popular employer. esteemed
and respected by his men and his business
associates. as he was by his regiment and his
comrades in arms.
In civil life he has twice represented
Rutland in the House Of Representatives, of
which he was an influential member lie
was advanced to the Senate and was an
equally prominent and valuable member of
that body, his standing in it being indicated
by his selection as President pro tempore lie
was then nominated with great unanimity)
and elected Lieut-GOve rnor, and made an |
able, urbanc and excellent presiding officer |
of the Senate. throwing his influence, as he
did when legislator, on the side of
economy, education, wholesome law, and |
every good interest. lie is man Of pure |
morals and correct habits. the husband Of an |
estimablc woman and the afiectionate father |
Of family Of well-trained children.
We submit that it was not necessary that |
a man with this record, well-known as n
prominent and philosophical citizen, should
need to resort to any under-handed means to
bring him to the favorable consideration of |