New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-27
SENATOR PROCTOR.
THE WEIGHT CARRIED BY HIS WORDS
ON THE CUBAN QUESTION-A
LEADING FIGURE IN
THE SENATE

When Senator Redheld Proctor. Of Vermont,
went TO Cuoa 10 Investigate conditions in tina,
war-ravaged country rnmor persisently de.
Clared that he went the accredited agent of
President Mckinley and that his report would
have the official weight Of an Administration au-
thorization. When Senator Proctor returned he
disavoved all understanding with the Presiden,
and declared that he had gone on his own respon-
sibility and that his vic VS. were 10 be- regarded
as unofficial. Despite this there is little doub,
that Mr.. Proct )r's words carried as much weight
as If he had upon them the stamp Of the
Administrations approval. and il President Nc
Kinley had decided 10 send special envoy
there is hardly a man IN public life to-day who
could have been selected who would have stud
led the situation thoroughly and reported
conciscly carefully and dspassionatey SEN
atOr Proctor has done
Senator Proctor is to-day. not alone ac-
count Of his report on affairs in Cuba but largely
for that reason. a central figure in public life IN
this country. He is cool cautious. patient. shrewd
and painstaking. He has. perhaps. more than any
other member Of the Senate the confidence Of
that body. His words. delivered in a calm. care
full way with all the precision and care Of studL
Gus prepar 1t on. electrified the Senate and clari
fled the atmosphere. which had become befogged
by conflicting statements from various members
of the upper branch Of Congress His words
we're taken without question. and his report was
accepted without any attempt to dsprove or
contest a word.
Whether as a Cabinet official. when Secretary
Of War during President Harrisons AdmInistra-
ton. or as a representative in the United states
Senate. the Senator has never been known TO
become excited or Hurried He has always been
cool and logical. This caution has al times ex-
asperated some of the hOt-heads in the senate.
and one occasion in tit Of pigur another
Senator dubbed him the tombstone senator"
rhe&ame has chung TO him eyer sine" II Was
probably brought forth primarily On account u
Senator Proctor's large interests in the marble
quarries Of Vermont. but the title So we'll *
pressed his unwayering sOlemn!ty that !, vas
accepted at once.
Despite this reputation the Senator is not en-
tirely without humor as one incident enacted
in the Senate shows. Senator est, - Missouri
was making an imprisoned speech. IN the
course Of which he wished - quote a piece d
poetry Senator Proctor. dgnhed and at'en-
tive was sitting beside the senator from Mis-
souri,. When Senator Vest came to the piece q
poetry he stopped. picked up a clipping OF his
desk and continued. II wish 10 nterpolate this
little piece Of poetry | will say for tn" beneh
Of the Senate that it mas been set to music hy an
eminent composer" He picked UP the slip ana
was about TO continue when senator Pro,iors
grim face relaxed. and he said in a low voice
that was audible to all on the Aoor. but could
not be heard in the galleries.
Sing it,"
A ripple of laughter ran around the floor OF
the Senate and the thrust. coming from such
an unexpected quarter. completely Disconnected
the Senator from Missouri and the effect OF his
speech was destroyed