New-York tribune., 1891-08-26
MR.. PROCTOR FOR SENATOR.
THE SECRETARY OF WAR WILL SUCCEED
MR.. EDAlUNDS
GOVERNOR PAGE, OF VERMONT, INFORMS HIM OF
HIS APPoINTMENT-GENERAL EXPECTA-

HIS APPOINTMENT-GEEERAL EXPECTA-
TIoNs REALIZED.
Hyde Park. Vt Aug. 25.-The general expecta-
ton as to the successor Of Senator Edmunds, to
be named by Governor Page, was fulfilled to-day.
Governor Page addressed letter to Redheld Proc
tor Secretary of War, stating that it was his
intention to appoint the Secretary to Senator Ed
munds's seat, which he resigned last spring, ana
which becomes vacant on November 1. Follow
ing is the text of the letter
Executive Mansion, Hyde Park, Vt, Aug. o5.
Hon. Redheld Proctor.
Dear Sir: After CAREFUL consideration Of all names
suggested have decided 10 appoint You United states
senator, to III the vacancy caused BY the resignation
Primarily, l deem it my duty to satisfy my judg
ment as TO what selection would best promote the wei
fare of Vermont and the whole country. have at the
same time, felt that was acting largely in repro
sentative capacity; that H. not doing injustice to my
Judgment could meet the wishes Of a large majority
of the people Of Vermont, 1t would DC duty aud
pleasure TO do So. have. with considerable care;
sought and received personally by letter the views of
prominent VermOnters in every county Of the state.
The result OF my investigation leaves no doubt as to
November next. it should be incumbent INC TO i'll
the vacancy referred to- propose to tender you the
time not only because believe you should have
sonabe notice OF my intention, but having reached the
conclusion above, cannot see that the pnhic good
would be sbserved by further discussion With much
respect am yours truly CAkkOLL D PA"h'
Washington Aug % (SpeciaD.- The news of Sec
retary Proctors appointment by the Governor of
Vermont to succeed Mr.. Edmunds in the United
States Senate caused little surprise here. Mr..
Proctor's intention to retire from the Cabinet this
fall was announced long ago, and on the announce
ment of Senator Edmunds's resignation last spring
he was at once selected by general opinion to fill
the vacancy During the two years in which Mr..
Proctor has been at the head Of the War Depart
ment he has shown unusual administrative ability,
and no Secretary of War in recent years has been
more efficient or more popular. His record has
been one of complete success throughout, so far
as the regular work of the Department Is con-
cerned, and he has obtained more valuable army
legislation from one Congress than WAS secured,
perhapS by all the efforts OF several Of his prcde
cessors combined. Secretary Proctor was known
to prefer a seat in the Senate 10 the more eN-
acting and labOrious work of Cabinet officer, and
ii was generally understood that he would seek an
election from the State Legislature at the first
suitable opportunity. This came with the resigna-
ton of Mr.. Edmunds and although the Vermont
LEGISLATURE cannot vote for Senator until its next
regular session, there is no question about its
approving the Governors present appointment.
The new Senator's term will begin on Novem-
Der |, Mr. Edmunds's resignation taking effect on
that date. Mr. Proctor's plans are of course, not
definitely known here. but it is expected that lie
will retain control of the War Department for per-
haps q month or more longer, and that changes
in the Cabinet will I've made until the President
is settled again in Washington. President lIar-
rison will doubtless part with Secretary Proctor
with sincere regret, for no has been 4 safe and
sagacious counsellor and his Judgment in admin
iStrative business and on public questions could
always be depended upon as sound ard accurate.
What the Administration loses by the change, the
Republican side OF the Senate will gain, for there
i 10 doubt that Mr.. Proctor if he takes the scat
now offered him, will before long become an i'm
portant factor in public legislation and in the
councils of his party in Congress.