The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-03-18

Washington, March 17.-Senator Proc
tor of Vermont, who returned last Sun
day from an extended trip to and
through the island of Cuba, this after
noon made a statement to the senate of
his observations on the island. From
many points of view the statement was
remarkable. 1t had evidently been
most carefully prepared. Every ele-
ment of sensationalism had been studi-
ously eliminated from it, and except so
far as the facts recited were sensational,
1t bore not the slightest evidence of an
effort to arouse the public mind, al
ready keenly alive to the condition of
affairs on the island.
Calm and dispassionate, the utter
ances of the senator aroused breath
less interest. Every person within the
sound of his voice was convinced that
he was putting his observations into
careful terms, lest ne might subject
himself to the criticism of being emo
tional. One of the best characterize
tions of the statement was made by
Senator Frye of Maine, a few minutes
after its delivery. 1T u.s." said he, Just
as if Proctor had held up his right hand
and sworn to it," That was the i'm
preston the statement made upon the
senate.
The scene in the senate just preced-
ing and during the delivery of the
speech of Senator Proctor was almost
dramatic in the intensity of its interest.
The occasion of the address arose very
unexpectedly. While the quarantine
bill was under discussion and Senator
Mallory of Florida had been recognized
for speech in opposition to the pend
ing measure, Mr.. Frye entered the
chamber and, interrupting Mr.. Mallory,
requested him to yield to Mr.. Proctor.
who desired to make a statement con-
cerning his observations in Cuba, of
interest to the senate and to the coun-
try. Instantly there was a commotion
on the floor and in the galleries. 1t
had been anticipated that Mr.. Proctor
would soon make a statement, but it
was not supposed that he would make
il on the floor of the senate. A call of
the senate was demanded by Mr..
Chandler of New Hampshire, and in a
few minutes every senator in the capi-
tol was in his seat. and the word hav-
ing been passed through the corridors,
people fiocked into the galleries until
they were packed.
Senator Proctor was accorded the
closest attention throughout his speech.
He confined himself to his manuscript
and at the conclusion, while there was
no demonstration, he was cordially con-
graduated by many of his colleagues.
Mr.. Proctor read his speech from man
uscript, speaking rapidly, but clearly.
He said:
More Importance seems to be at
tached by others to my recent visit to
Cuba than / have given it. 1t has been
suggested that l make public state
ment of what I saw and how the situa-
tion impressed me. This l do on ac-
count of public interest in all that con-
Germs Cuba, and to correct any inaccu-
racies that have not unnaturally ap-
peared in some of the reported inter-
views with me.
My trip was entirely unofficial and
of my own notion; not suggested by
any one. The only mention | made of
1t to the president was to say TO him
that / contemplated such trip, and to
ask him if there was any objection to
it, to which he replied that he could see
none. No one but myself. therefore. is
responsible for anything in this state
ment. Judge Day gave me brief note
of introduction to General Lee. and l
had letters of Introduction from busi-
ness friends at the North to bankers
and other business men at Havana. and
they. in turn, gave me letters to their
III OllltI tllieS. ntSt iEt-
ters to business men were usually use
full. as the principal purpose of my visit
was to ascertain the views of practical
men of affairs upon the situation.
4 Tribute to Lee.
"Of General Lee need say little. His
valuable services to his country in his
trying position are too well known to
all Of his eountrymen TO require men
tion. Besides his ability. high charac-
ter and courage. he possesses the i'm
portant requisites of unfailing tact aud
courtesy. and with all his military edu-
cation and training and his soldierly
qualities are invaluable adjuncts in the
equipment of our representative in that
country under military rule as in Cuba
General Lee kindly invited US 10 sis a.
his table al the hotel during or STAY