The Washington times., 1911-06-13
Former Representative From
Kentucky Made Reputa-
ton In One Speech.
DEATH BELIEVED
BE CLOSE AT HAND
Veteran, Who Eighty-two Years
Old, Is Reported to Be
Sinking Rapidly.

News Of the illness at his home in
Lebanon, KY, of former Representative
and Governor ]. Proctor Knott recalls
to Washingtonians his inimitable humor
as member OF the House. Latest re-
ports from his bedside say that Mr..
Knott. who Is eighty-two years old, is
sinking Fapidly. and is expected to live
but a short time.
The speech that made him famous
was delivered in the House January 27,
lSn. opposing a land grant of 1,4ls, ,451
acres to railroad company, which
planned to construct a line from the
st. Croix river to Lake Superior at
Duluth. MINI, and to Bayfield,, Wis.
The speech was as follows:
Mr.. Speaker: II could be actuated
by any conceivable tnducement to be-
tray the sacred trust reposed in me by
those 70 whose generous confidence
am indebted for the honor of a seat
on this floor. II / could be Influenced
by any possible consideration to be-
come instrumental by giving away, In
violation Of those known wishes, any
portion Of their interest in the public
domain for the mere promotion OF any
railroad enterprise whatever, / should
certainly feel a strong inclination to
give this measure more earnest and
hearty support; for I am assured that
Its success will materially enhance the
pecuniary prosperity of some of the
most valued friends I have on earth;
friends for whose accommodation I am
willing to make almost any sacrifice
not involving my personal honor or my
fidelity as trustee Of an expressed
trust
And that fact of itself would be suf-
hcient to controvail Of any objection 1
might entertain to the passage Of this
bill not inspired by an imperative and
inexorable sense Of public duty.
Country Is Suffering
For Want of Railroad.
Now, sir, have been satisfied for
years that II there was any portion of
the Inhabited globe absolutely in a suf-
fering condition for want of a railroad
1t was these teeming pine barrens Of
the st. Croix. At what peculiar point
on that noble stream such a road should
be commenced I knew was immaterial,
and so 1t seems to have been consid-
cred by the craftsmen OF this bill. It
might be up at the spring, or down at
the footlog. Or the water-gate, or the
fish dam, or anywhere along the bank;
no matter where. But In what direction
should II run, or where II should termi-
nate, were always to my mind questions
of the most painful perplexity. / could
conceive OF no place on Gods green
earth in such straftened circumstances
of railroad facilities as to be likely to
desire. or willing to accept. such q con-
nection.
knew that neither Bayfield, nor Su-
perior City would have II. for they
both Indignantly spurned the munifi-
cence of the Government when coupled
with such ignominious conditions, and
let this very same land grant die on
their hands years and years ago rather
than submit to the degradation of a
direct communication by railroad with
the piney woods Of the st. CroiX; and
knew what the enterprising inhabi-
tants Of those giant young cities would
refuse to take would have few charms
for others, whatever those necessities
might be.