The Newtown bee., 1906-04-27
Platt stands out from the multitude.
 He was a leader. He did not lead be-

ne was lea Q0r. do ulu QOG le8O D6- cause he tried to lead, but because the people followed him. He did not lead because he pretended to be the special won't to do, but because he laid his course by his own compass and that compass always pointed to the true pole. In the long run the people can always be relied upon to distinguish between a demaROg and patriot, and they always did so in the case of MT Platt. Five consecutive times the people of Connecticut accredited him as their mbassador to this great con- clave of the representatives of the sovereign states of this republic. For 26 years he sat in this chamber and fearlessly, faithfully and nobly dis truthfully be said of any man, it is, in my opinion, the highest encomium that can be pronounced upon him. MT Platt entered this body in 1879 at the age of g years. He had previously been honored by the confidence and esteem of the people of his state. He had been the chairman of the state central committee of his party, the speaker of the Connecticut-HOuse of Representatives, a state senator, the secretary Of the stat !, and the state s dUIOTucy VI NC" hdVcu COuuoy' hC was we'll known and able lawyer, and had devoted himself more particularly. to the law of patents, in which he had attained high proficiency. He there fore entered upon his duties here in middle life, equipped with a ripe ex- perience in the law, in politics, in busi- ness and in public affairs. He devoted this fund of knowledge to practical use in his legislative work. He was no theorist. He was not dOctrinaire. He had none of the traits of the visionary or the mystic. He dreamed no dreams and he pursued no facts. He was virile and powerful, mentally and physically. His appear ance was most impressive. He lowered to height of six feet and four inches, and his frame and head were as massive and rugged as the granite ledges and crags of his native Litch- field county. His features were large and somewhat furrowed and to those who saw him for the first time his countenance was apt to convey suggestion of austerity. But this defect was relieved by the saving grace of delicious sense of humor and an inimitable twinkle of the eye. His manner was deliberate and he was we'll
 
 self-controlled He was patient, in- dustrious, kindly, cautious and sound. He was pre-eminently safe and sane. His judgment was excellent and his gift of cOmmOnlsense approached to genius. His temperament was judicial and he clearly perceived and carefully weighed every phase of 8 question. With his clear vision he penetrated the heart of every problem and dis criminated with unerring precision be- tween the vital principle upon which a correct solution depended and the fr- relevant and deluSive matters which confuse other minds. He was possessed of an intuitive sense as to the wisest ate as to amount almost to precedence. He despised shams, hypocracy and pre- tense. He was straightforward, sin cere and reliable. He was man of sterling integrity and was as honest with himself as with his fellows. It was as impossible to deceive him as it was for him to attempt to deceive others. He was inspired with high ideals and was endowed with deep religious nature. His logical mind moved with the mathematical accuracy of an adding machine, and the most complicated questions were reduced and clarified in the fervent crucible of his intellectual analysis. He was intensely human and was all ways glad to cloak the faults of others with the broad mantle of charity. He was passionately fond of Nature. In the death of Senator Platt, Connecti. cut lost her ablest and most dlstin. guished public servant; this body one of it's wisest and most trusted counsel. Ors, and the nation one of it's soundest statesmen. He always dared to act as he believed. He never compromised with expediency. He was great man,-in stature, in brain, in charac' ter, in influence, in deeds, and in righteousness. MT Platt was . pro.