The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1901-04-17
Col. Aldace f. Walker.

Line people III vermont WHO kneW
Col. Walker-and few men had been
better known in the State-were
shocked by the tidings received on Fri
day OF his sudden death in New York
on the morning of that day. In the
prime OF life, at the head Of great bust
ness interests, he was one for whom
his former friends and acquaiutances
were seeing career of many years of
active life stretching on into the future.
Col. Walker was a man in the first
rank of men, by virtue Of his moral
and intellectual qualities, and by virtue
OF his great manliness and force OF
character. Since 1887, after his selec-
ton by President Cleveland for the
first board of interstate commerce CON-
missioners, his activities and triumphs
had all been outside the State, aud his
eminence in affairs had been achieved
on a broader theatre than the pent-up
Utica his native State presented; but
we remember the promise Of a CONT
mental, if not worldwide, distinction
that was embodied in his public life
aud professional career in this State.
AS the day the night, followed the en-
inence aud brlliance of his career, on
the wide stage upon which he entered
when he left Vermont, or when, after
two years, he resigned his place on the
interstate commence commission to
become the head and guiding legal
counsel, the srbiter of the courses, of
continental railway combinations.
Col. Walkers public life in Vermont
was not of long duration but it was
brilliant. During its continuance it
was a dominating influence. 1t was
nearly twenty years ago that he was q
Senator from Rutland county, but peo-
pie familiar with the storms and Incl
dents of the memorable session of
1882 recall Col. Walker as the central
figure in them. These eliminated in
the election of judges of the Supreme
Court, in the dramatic scenes of the
joint assembly on the nomination of
Homer E. Royce for reelection to the
office OF Chief Judge. Central Yer
mont railway affairs for generation
had been mixed up with State politics,
and had been continuously before the
Supreme Court. Judge Royce had in
Cured the hostility of the elements OPP
posed to the road for alleged leanings
to its side in the decision of impor-
tant issues. So his reelection was
stoutly resisted, and Col. Walker led
the opposition with bold and sturdy
leadership. His speech in opposition
to Judge Royce was such display as
sometimes is seen among these Yer
mont hills when the clouds hang low
and are surcharged with electricity,
and the effects were similar. The bolts
few and the shafts zigzagged through
the Hall of Representatives, and the
packed assemblage looked on in awed
silence.
AS attorney for opposing interests,
Col. Walker challenged in court Judge
Royce's right to sit in the hearing of
an important question. He sustained
his challenge in an argument that was
distinguished for its force and dignity
as we'll as its boldness. Col. Walker
was an able advocate OF State railway
commission, one having authority and
power to render its administration of
it's duties effective. His rank in the
law, in that early period of his career,
was shown by his selection for the
Craftsmanship of the Senate judiciary
committee. In discussion especially
his leonine front gave emphasis to the
admonitions If pregnant diction and
an impressive delivery.
Whether in an impromptu talk at a
Grand Army campfire, or in formal
address before the Vermont Officers
Reunion Society, or on subjects outside
the law and military experiences, Col.
Walker was always interesting, force
full and eloquent. With the historic
spirit and patriotism of Vermont youth,
he had enlisted for the defense of the
Union Immediately on his graduation
from college in 1862, and became lieu
tenant colonel of the Eleventh Yer
mont regiment by promotion for gal
lantry in the fierce campaign in 1854 in
the Shenandoah valley.
Col. Walkers capacity and his equip
naent, native and acquired, for import
ant affairs, were strikingly demon
strated by his rapid advancement after
Ia appointment in 1887 to the inter-
State commerce commission. His SER
vice in that body, supplementing his
previous record in the discharge of
difficult trusts, marked him for the dis
tinguished honors that came to him