Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1911-09-29
FLETCHER D. PROCTOR.

OHEh ~ INV
The state of Vermont has sustained a
great misfortune in the death of one OF
its ablest and most loyal sons, eX-Gov-
ernor Fletcher d. Proctor. Mr.. Proctor
was the executive head of the states
largest industry, the Vermont Marble
company, and had served efficiently in
many public capacities, but 1T was as
the progressive governor and leader at
a time when Vermont was entering upon
a new era of development-not only in
dustrial, but in the adoption of those
laws and policies which make for a more
wholesome living and for larger oppor-
t%unities for it's people-that he will be
longest remembered.
No other man up to his time had ever,
as governor, given such painstaking per-
sonal attention to state institutions and
state affairs as Fletcher d. Proctor did
when he was the states chief executive,
1906 to 1908. His inaugural was devoted
to such vital subjects as our public
schools, corporation taxes, taxation and
highways. While the legislature of 1906
was in session many so-called admins
tration measures became laws in large
part for the reason that the members
of the legislature had implicit conf
dence in their governor and were ready
to follow his advice.
The important legislation enacted at
that time included increased appropria-
tions for the schools, the establishment
of a permanent school fund which will
eventually reach $1,000, 900, increased
taxes on corporations, a plan for the
gradual abolition of grade crossings, the
reorganization of the board of railroad
commissioners and the adoption of the
weekly payment law.
Governor Proctor welded a powerful
influence in shaping he important legis-
lation enacted during his term at Mont
pelier. His appointments to public Of
fees were made with an eye single to
fitness, and in his oversight of state in
stitutions and state affairs generally he
displayed a zeal and energy which no
other governor in our remembrance has
ever equalled.
Before his election to the governor
ship he was not regarded as a partic-
ularly effective public speaker, but his
development in this way after he came
into Office was a pleasant surprise to his
friends and on public and s~emi-public
occasions when he was called upon,
either within our own borders, or abroad,
he reflected credit upon the state by the
force and cogency of his speeches and
the dignity and poise of his personal
bearing.
Fletcher Proctor was born fortuitously,
but he proved himself" He graduated
from Amherst college in 1882, but in the
vacations of his high school and college
days his time was not spent in idleness
or frivolity. He was preparing himself
s%trenuously for the duties of an active
business life and for good citizenship
polishing marble in the most lowly po-
sition in the mills at Proctor at one time
at another teaching district school IL
Pittsford or Chittenden. After the col
lege days and after he had become {
good marble pollsher he was advanced
to the machine shop, and thence through
the various positions until he was thu
actual head of the business which hi
father founded. How well he manage,
a concern which now employs thousand
of hands is a matter of general knowl
edge, but he was not so busy with hi
own personal affairs but that he coul
give a 1.-THE of his time and his abilitie
to public causes. AS selectmen in tn
Olu lOWH OIL 1lulldIu ana III lHe TOWN. U
Proctor, as a member of the local schoC
board more than 20 years, as town roa
commissioner, as Governor Ormsbee'
secretary of civil and military affairs, a
a member of the House in 1890, 1900 an
1904, of the Senate in 1892 and as speake
of the House in 1900 he had a trainin
peculiarly fitting him for the office of gov
ernor, in which he served with the great
est usefulness and won his greatest dis
tinction.
His work as governor finished he re
turned to his simple life and his grea
business responsibilities in Proctor an
refused to seek further political prefer
ment, deciding this question for himse
and refusing to follow the wishes
many of his admirers.
In his personal life and in his home re
lations Governor Proctor was an ide
citizen, and those who knew him int
mately will always cherish as one
their best possessions The memory
the friendship and comradeship which
gave to those near to him and of Il
manly genuineness, simplicity al
straightforwardness which won their ov
love and admiring regard.
A typical Vermonter in the true
sense, a man without frills or affect
ton, who found that life was real al
earnest, who lived a life of service al
strenuous endeavor and who filled t
high places entrusted to him with CO
summate ability. has gone to his rewal
and Vermont mourns the loss of t
foremost citizen of her younger gener
ton in the prime of his manhood.