The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-01-11
SENATOR PROCTOR EuroofzEp
Tributes in Congress to Memory Of
Former Colleague.

Tributes in Congress to Memory Of
Former Colleague.
Washington, Jan. 12.-Sunday was de
voted In the House Of Representatives
TO memorial addresses eomhemora-
tive of the life. character and ser
vices OF the late Senator Redfeld
Proctor Of Vermont Members OF
that body who knew the late senator
Joined with members of the state
delegation in tribute to his memory.
Among those who spoke were Repre-
sentatives Foster and Haskins of
Vermont and Lamb of Virginia.
Congressman Haskins recalled Sena
tor PrOetor's notable achievements
in the field of constructive ,legisla-
ton daring a long official. career.
Congressman Foster gave something
of the intimate side of Senator Proc
tors life. He recalled a visit he paid
TO the senator one Sunday afternoon
shortly before his death, when the
latter spoke of death as something
from which he had nothing to dread.
"Redfield Proctor, said Mr.. Foster,
came honestly by those qualities of
mind and heart which were the source
of his power. strength and greatness,
qualities which he inherited from a
noble mother. No one who was IA
miliar with his character and career
could question his title to leadership.
Never from him was there the, slight
est suggestion of the proVerbial in
science of office, He had a keen
sense of the exalted positions with
which he was honored, but he was
moved rather by the responsibility
which accompanied them than by the
dignity and authority with which he
CHANGED to be clothed.
AS colonel of his regiment. as gov
ernor of this state, as secretary of war.
as United States senator, he was the
same plain Redfeld Proctor His was
life of service. Here is the key to
his character. He was serving his
country at the head of his regiment
at 81. In all capacities he was the
public spirited citizen and the faith
full public servant, jealous of the
rights and watchful of the interests
of those he served.
He was severely practical, His
voice was seldom heard in debate,
But while he laid no claim to oratory
when he did speak, as when he des-
crlbed to the Senate the conditions he
found in Cuba, he displayed in high
degree the very essence Of oratory. It.
was his great executive ability and
his sound common sense that made
him the power he was In the council
chamber Of the nation. He was one
OF the true sons of Vermont. He low
ed her hills and valleys; he cherished
her history and her traditions. And
no higher tribute can be paid to his
memory than the simple truth that the
state is better by reason of his life.
his character, his career" J
The Senate on Saturday paid trib-
ute TO the memory of Senator Redfeld
Proctor of Vermont. Eight senator's
delivered eulogies and appr@priate res
olutions were adopted.
Senator Dillingham; opened the exer.
cises with warm tribute to his for
mer associate and friend of many
years standing. Senator Page In clos
ing the session, delivered his maiden
speech in the Senate and 1t was pro
nounced one of the best euIogies.
Eulogies were also delivered by Sen
ators Daniel of Virginia, Perkins of
Calltornla, Clay of Georgia, Smoot of
Utah, Crane Of Massachusetts and.
Hemenway of Indiana in the order
named.
After reviewing Senator Proctor's
descent, early life and military SER
vices, Senator Dillingham; said:
AS a member of the Senate Mr.
Proctor left his impress. The posi-
bility of war with Spain stirred him
deeply and reused him to characteris-
tic action. The debates preceding the
declaration Of war against Spain show
ed such lack of authoritative infor.
nation of existing conditions in Cuba
and as consequence such wide diff
ferences of opinion among senators
as to the policy which ought to be
adopted by the government, that he
was filled with apprehension, and with
characteristic forethought and follow
ing lifelong practice to seek the full
est knowledge of underlying condit-
ions upon which to base his judgment
ana action he, on his own RESPONSE
blllty, at his own expense, sought by
a personal visit to Cuba to ascertain
the real conditions there existing.
When, upon his return, he gave
to the Senate cold, bare, plain state
ment of what he had seen and what
he had learned, unaccompanied either
by argument or recommendation, he 1
did it with such gravity and such i'm
pressiveness that the facts stated
burned themselves into the mind Of
every senator present and being her
aided by the press, reused the nation 4
to action"
Senator Page said:
1T seems to me that no senator
ever lived who was q more complete |
of the distinguishing char
acteristics of the state which he rep
resented than the one to whose mem
DRY we today pay tribute No man /
ever lived who was a more genuine 1
type of the rugged strength of our
state than Redfield Proctor.
1T would not, in this presence, be
fitting to claim for Vermont either
stronger or better men than those of
her sister states but the occasion
would seem to warrant a brief refer
pupp IN Soma of tho mora y,ar1,Iforiy