New-York tribune., 1905-04-22

IN that period he served his country and his
State with ability. loyalty and an integrity
which compelled the unqualified admiration OF
intelligent Americans throughout the nation.
Quiet and unassuming in manner. his work
perhaps less known to the general public than
that of some of the more brilliant orators in the
chamber 6nd only those familiar with the pro-
ceedings Of the Senate appreciated the full value
Of his services. They knew that his careful
watchfulness saved to the government millions
of dollars and constantly enhanced the credit Of
his party and of the assemblage Of which he
was a member Nor were his energies confined
to preventing the enactment Of unworthy meas
ures for he was constructive statesman whose
advice and counsel were eagerly sought by his
colleagues, and who often burned the midnight
oil framing or redrafting legislation TO which
the names Of others were eventually attached.
Few of the great legislative measures passed by
Congress in his long term of service failed TO
bear the imprint of his brain and the evidence
of his abilities.
AUTHOR OF PLATT AMENDMENT
The PIatt amendment. by which the national
integrity of Cuba was perpetualIy insured and
protected, was one of his proudest achievements.
and thousands Of less important but equally
meritorious statutes owe their origin to his
craftsmanship.
While not one of the brilliant orators of the
Senate, he always spoke with clearness and
force which commanded the closest attention,
and at times he attained an eloquence which
moved his hearers and rendered difficult OBJ
servance of the Senate rule forbidding applause.
His almost unerring judgment long ago for
him a place in that little coterie Of Senator'S
which dominates the upper chamber Of the ma
tionaI legislature. and with Senators Aldrich,
Allison, Spooner. Lodge and Hale he directed
the course of legislation with conservatism and
a observation-disclosures which long redounded TO the
credit of the Republican party.
OF the many Senators who have aided Presi-
dents in plotting the ship OF state, there were
none whose advice was more often sought
more highly valued and in his death President
Roosevelt loses one Of his most trusted friends
and loyal supporters. while to President Mcktn-
ley he was constant source Of comfort and
support.
Mr. PIatt would have been seventy-eight years
old next July, but his faculties had never failed
and he showed fewer signs of a-' in the last
winter than for several years. A Ia ryer of eX-
ceptOnaG ability he had long been an influential
member of the judiciary Committee. to the
death of Senator Hoar. and when the Senate
was compelled TO try the impeachment case OF
Judge Swayne last winter Senator Platt was
selected to preside over the proceedings, which
he conducted with ability and equity re-
marked by all who followed them.
With a heart large even in proportion TO his
own tall stature. Senator Platt enjoyed the Un-
swerving loyalty of a host Of friends. and his
own State loved to do him honor.
THE RECORD OF HIS LIFE
Senator Platt was the Of Daniel PIatt,
farmer and was oorn at Washington. Conn. on
July 10 1927. he worked the farm until he
was twenty. receiving his education in the COM
mon schools and at the academy known as The
Gunnery." He studied law in the office of !
Gideon H. Hollister the historian of Connecti-
cut at Litchfeld, being admitted to the bar in
1910 He was afterward admitted to the bar of
Pennsylvania where he spent six months in the I
office of Chief Justice Ulysses Mercur, AT To- |
wanda In 1851 he resumed the practice Of the |
law I'm Connecticut, settling at Meriden, where
he had ever since lived. He was Clerk Of the !
State Senate in 1926. Secretary Of the State
in 1851 a member of the State Senate in 1851 |
60. and member Of the state House OF Repre- 1
sentatives in 1864 and 1863. serving the latter |
year as Speaker He was elected 10 the United |
States Senate 10 succeed William II Baruun, |
Democrat who had been chosen TO fll the va |
cancv caused BY the death Of Orris s Ferry. Re- |
publican and took his seat on March Is. 1879 |
He was reelected in 1855. 1890 1897 and 1908. /
His term Of service would nave expired on /
March 8 1893 He served on many important /
committees in addition 10 those on Relations /
with Cuba and the Judiciary While ne was /
chairman of the Committee on Territories IN the /
50th and 51st Congresses six new states We're /
admitted 10 the Union he was CHAIRMAN OF tne /
subcommittee having charge OF the Copyright /
bill passed in 1891 and the passage OF that |
measure was due in a large degree TO his EFFORTS /
He had a large general law practice, although /
he made a speciality of patent law. In lSSt |
Yale conferred the degree Of IL D. on him \
Mr.. Platt prominent in religious and phll-
anthropic work in Merden, and In a quiet and /
unOstentatiOus way was always the friend or the i
needy and distressed. He was long a deacon in \
the First Congregational Church where the |
Rev W. H r. Murray, who died last year, /
began his brilliant and meteoric career IL /
was through Mr.. MuTrays influence that he 4
first visited the AdITondacks for the benefit or /
his health Senator Platt lost his first wife In /
1893 and In 1897 he was remarked. his bride /
being Mrs. Jennie p HOyt formerly OF STAN !
ford Conn whom he had known in his youth ~ i
Washington. Conn, where he had his summer I
home
Death could not have struck any member OF /
the national legislature whose loss would have
caused more genuine and widespread sorrow. or