Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-22

of the legislature serving in both houses
and finally being elected speaker of the
state house of representatives.
He was made speaker during ms last
year in the house. at which time he was
one of the most conspicuous men IN the
state.
When there was vacancy in the United
States Senate, made by the retirement or
William Fl. Barnum, who had been APP
pointed to the Senate by the governor upon
the death of Orris s. Ferry, MIR. Platt was
regarded as his natural successor MT.
Barnum was democrat and had been ap-
pointed to the place, but when 1t came
to the election of a successor to Mr. ferry
the legislature, being republican, selected
Mr.. Plat.
Senator Plat took his seat March 49,
1879 and had been reelected for each sue
cessive term since. his last term having
begun only two years ago, so that he had
four more years to serve. In the Unlted
States Senate Mr.. Plat took most con-
spicuous part in the conduct OF business
but his lack of ostentation and his modest
bearing were always prominent features or
his career He was one of the half dozen
senators who were universally looked upon
as leaders of the majority. He was known
everywhere as a man of unusual WISDOM.
Others were more ready to enter DEBATE
and to fight for their measures on the
floor, but none was more highly regarded
in the counsels of his party when 1t was
important that the course of legislation
should be directed wisely.
interested in Legislation.
There was really no class of legislation
that Senator Plat did not take great In
terest in. He attended to the business OF
the Senate carefully. He was always at
committee meetings and always in his seat
during sessions of the Senate. He took
nothing for granted, but was a constant
deliver into all sorts of legislation. But on
matters pertaining to the foreign relations
Of the government to finance and to Ju-
dicial questions he was especially fitted by
his learning and by his temperament for
valuable work. Upon the death of Senator
Hoar, Mr.. Platt, who had been the rank
ing member of the committee on the Jul
dietary next to Mr.. Hoar. became its chair
man. He had been chairman of the com
mittee on relations with Cuba, and his
voice had been heard at every critical mo-
ment in connection with Cuban affairs from
the time this government took its first step
in behalf of the people of that island.
1t was the Platt amendment that had de-
fined what the course of this government
should be in dealing with that island.
Senator Platt also took, from the time
he entered the Senate, deep interest in all
affairs in relation 10 the Indian tribes and
he was always found on the side of the
Indian when that question was up and be-
ing discussed In way to determine the
future status of the wards of the country.
He had always believed that the country
owed a natural debt to the Indians and that
every sense of honor and justice demanded
tndt IL SnOulu De ScrupulOuS1y careful not
to do them an injustice.
Committee Distinction.
At the time of his death Senator Plat, be-
side being chairman of the committee on
the judiciary, u member of the COM
mittee Cuban relations, finance and
OF revolutionary claims AS member of
the committee on finance he was the third
ranking member, being next to Senator
Senator Aldrich. Every matter that af-
fected the fiscal relations of the govern
ment for many years came before him for
consideration this committee Every
tariff bill was largely affected by his iudg-
ment and the so-called Wilson bill and the
Dingiey bill, in being perfected in the Sen
ate, had in many respects the stamp of
his judgment.
Senator Platt was one of the men who
upheld the hands of the President in the
last session of Congress in relation to mat
tiers which nearly every member of his
party voted against the recommendations
of Mr.. Roosevelt. 1t was not understood
that Mr.. Platt thoroughly approved every
thing that was done by the President in
these matters, but his name was numbered
in the small list of those who voted in an
approving way in relation to treaty mat
tiers that his party would not approve.
Last Public Utterance.
was on the occasion when he eulogized the
late Senator Hawley before the legislature
of Connecticut when the body of the sub
ject Of his remarks lay in state in the
building. He and Senator Hawley had
been lifelong friends, and his remarks on
that occasion referred at considerable
length to that personal friendship.
Integrity Unquestioned.
No one ever questioned the integrity of
Senator Platt. Every one knew that what
ever side he took on any question his pur-
pose was to be right and to serve the best
interests of the country. He was one of
the oldfashoned men who did not live
in the past except to get his ideals from
the lives of the men whose genius laid
the founda tons of the nation, and to see
that those ideals were perpetuated. All the
! institutions of America were very near to
his heart on every occasion, and he could
be depended upon to see that no act of his
any way leSsened their power in the land.
fiuence in the Senate, was not as promi-
nently before the public many other
men. He was not given to speechmaking.
although he expressed himself readily
whenever he made a public address. He
was very retired in his nature, and ap-
peared to care little for being in the public
eye. His real influence was exerted quietly
in the councils of his party and in critical
suggestions in relation to the course of
legislation. His objection was always ac-
cepted by his party with confidence, as they
had learned during many years to trust
his judgment. Although his name was not
borne by any notable act of Congress, yet
in all important matters he was extremely
influential in framing legislation. The Plat
amendment fixing the status of Cuba is an
exception to this rule
Most Prominent Characteristic.
Perhaps the most prominent characters
tic of Senator Plat was his love of justice,
which he showed on every occasion. His
party bias was no stronger than would be
expected in a man who was thorough re-
publican and a believer in the principles of
that party at all times. But he had friend
ships on the democratic side of the Senate
that We're very strong.
Both branches of Congress will honor the
senator's memory by a large representa-
ton at his funeral. Sergeant-at-Arms
Ransdell last night communicated with
Vice President Fairbanks with view to
the appointment of a committee of SEN
atorS. Seageant-at-ArmS Casson of the
House, who is in New York it is presumed
will communicate with Speaker Cannon and
arrange for the appointment of a like COM