The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-13
HEART FAILURE
CAUSED DEATH
Civil Service Commissioner
Proctor Suddenly Called.
FRIEND OF The PRESIDENT
DECEASED AN EARNEST ADvO-
CATE OF REFORM.

NR1AsHINGTON. Dec 12-John r.
w Proctor Of Kentucky, president
of the United States civil ser
vice commission. and an intimate
friend Of President Roosevelt, died of
angina pectoris at the Cosmos club in
this city today. aged 80 years. He
spent last evening in Baltimore, whore
he attended the annual meeting Of the
National Civil Service Reform associa-
ton and made an address. apparently
being I'm the best Of health. He was
with some friends this morning at the
Cosmos club, where he has been a
prominent member for mary years, but
became suddenly I'LL about 10 o'clock.
Surgeon General Wyman Of the pub
lie health and marine hospital service,
was al the club at the time and inn
mediately administered medical aid.
Mr. Proctor was assisted to a bed and
shortly afterWard went to sleep and
improved so much as TO encourage his
friends 20 hope for speedy recovery.
Civil Service Commissioner Cooley r0-
titled Mrs. Proctor and also the presi-
dent who expressed concern and kept
in touch with the patients condition.
Gasped Twice and Died.
Shortly after O'Clock there was an-
other attack tho stricken man sasped
twice and then death followed. The pres
idcnt and Mrs. Roosevelt were shocked al
the news. They called personally at the
club house and spent considerable time
at Mr.. Proctor's bedside. When the
president returned TO the " hte House
Mrs Roosevelt remained with Mrs. Proc
ter The remains were carried late this
the Marlborough
Dir. Proctor had been a frequent visitor
TO the White House ever since Mr.. Roose-
velts accession to the presidency They
met years ago in Kentucky. whore Mr..
Roosevelt was travelling. and the ac-
cuaintance then begun quickly riponed
INTO close intimacy.
Came From Kentucky.
Funeral arrangements are deferred
pending the arrival of a son, Lieutenant
Andre MOret0n Proctor. now in charge
OF torpedo boat stationed at the Norfoik
navy yard. Another son. John r. Proc
tor. jT., is a Lieutenant of artillery. Unit
Ell states army. Both OF the sons served
In the Sp3nish-American war. Mr.. Proc
tor was for many years state geOlogist OF
kemucky. He refused, even at the die
tation Of members Of the state legislature,
20 remove competent assistants for po-
ltical reasons. and was sustained by az
Of the governors under whom he served
until 1883, when, il is stated. the then
governor wished 20 make appointments
LOT persona ana pouucsI reasons ut
Proctor resisted this and advised that the
survey be closed rather than be used as
a machine for advancing the political in
terests OF anyone by making the offices
spells TO be let out to partisan favortes.
Appointed in 1893.
Mr.. PrOctor's appointment on the civil
service commission was urged by Mr..
Roosevelt. then civil commissioner who.
when iu Kentucky. had learned Of Mr.
Proctor's vigorous and practical apphca-
ton of reform methods in the face OF
adverse conditions He and Mr. RoOse-
welt were colleagues on the commission
from 1893 until Mr.. RCOsevelts resigna-
tiOn in 1895. During Mr.. PFOctOr's serv-
Ice on the commission the number OF pO-
sitions subject to the merit system in
creased from 1900 to 10000 He inter
estei himself especially in securing in 1896
the withdrawal OF position Of chief clerk
and chiefs of divisions from the spells
system. and they are now filled by the
promotion or transfer of trained men
within the classified service.