The Washington herald., 1908-03-05

was hopeless. that It was then too late
for autonomy, and that he did not favor
annexation. That speech By Senator Proc
tor had a signal bearing upon the events
which developed so rapidly after that
leading uD TO the opening days Of the
war with Spain"
Discussing the death of Senator Proctor
last night. Senator Beveridge, OF Indiana.
said:
Il am deeply shocked at his death.
Senator Proctor and 1 had been closely
related with each other during the past
nine years. He was one OF the hardest-
working. bravest. and most independent
men IN public life We stood together in
resisting the Porto Rico proposals of the
House several years ago. and as a result
Of that fight succeeded in so modifying
The bin as 10 give Porto Rico free trade
with the United States within six months
VigiIant for the People.
He was vigilant ard determined for the
people in the meat inspection amendment
fight two years ago. and II was 70 his
generalshtp and courage that we are
partly Indebted for having won every
point in my bill except twoSthe placing
of the date upon the cans and the i'm
position Of the cost upon the packers
Even on those two points Senator
Proctor would not yield but fought ear
nestly. giving up only when the beef trust
had beaten us on those propositions IN the
Senate and House. II was his purpose 10
stand upon these two propositions at the
present session of Congress.
He was wise. industrious. faithful and
brave. / hope only that his successor in
the Senate and on the Committee on Agri-
culture and Forestry may measure UP 10
his full stature"
Secretary Wilson. whose dinner Sena-
tor Proctor attended a week ago Monday
night. said last night:
He was a good friend OF agricultural
interests throughout the country lie
gave much attention to the work all the
while he was in the Senate. and did a
great deal toward building up the Agri-
cultural Department"
Senator Elkins, or West Virginia. who
succeeded him as Secretary OF War, said:
AS Secretary OF War. Mr. Proctor
stood for economy and discipline. and
performed excellent service in behalf OF
its interests. lie was an excellent execU-
tive and one Of the best Secretaries the
department ever had. He Travelled ex-
tensively on tours Of inspection. and i'm
proved the morale OF the army 10 a mark
ed degree"
Senator Burrows. OF Michigan. said.
Il am greatly shocked. Senator Proc
tor was a wonderful man in many ways.
He held many prominent positions and
succeeded well In them all He was pains
taking and was successful by reason Of
his care
"I4e was a man Of great influence IN
the Senate. and seldom spoke. but you
certainly remember his great speech on
Cuba, which believe was more potential
than anything else In bringing on the
war. He was thorough and whenever he
made up his mind to accomplish any
thing lie generally did succeed
Was Much Beloved.
Senator Burkett. Of Nebraska:
Senator Proctor was much beloved in
the Senate. He was especially kind and
indulgent TO new members. He took
pains to investigate everything carefully.
His interest in agricultural affairs was
great and all matters coming before him
received unusual care and consideration.
Only recently ! brought to his attention
my bill for government aid TO State nor
NAL schools
"One OF the last things he did was 10
call a special meeting Of his committee 70
hear the educators who had assembled in
Washington 10 discuss that measure
When the day for the hearing came. he
was III, but directed that Il so on just the
same. and that the hearing be recorded
stenOgTaphically so that he might read H.
Senator Culberson. leader OF the mi
nority said:
He was an able. strong. and useful man
in the Senate. and his death has occas-
ioned deep regret on both sides: He filed
large field. and was an indefatlgsble
worker. His death makes a great gap in
tie Senate"