Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-01-21


"The Life and Public Service of the
Late Redfield Proctor" The address
told of the late senator's early career.
his business career. and his record as
governor, senator and secretary of
war. In dwelling upon his public
life, he spoke in part as follows:
Senator Proctors Cuban speech was
one of those rare utterances which
have really shaped great public pol
icies. Its effect was exceptional but
Its character was not. It's observa-
lions were wise because he was
wise observer It's style was
simple and direct because such was
, always his manner Its candor and
truthfulness commanded the confidence
OF the entire country because the
country had long before learned that
Its author was a man to be trusted.
Senator Proctor's abundant humor
and quaint wit were very distinctive.
and he often enlivened a subject with
them His speech against the reduc-
ton of the tariff on WOOL which he
began with the statement that, the
first recorded attempt to break down
the interests Of sheep husbandry was
when Cain slew his brothel Abel. who
was a keeper of sheep" was probably
quite as effective as a wholly serious
argument would have been
politically. Senator Proctor was al
ways an active republican and he was
as naturally political leader as he
was leader in every other line OF
activity in which he engaged. Dur
ing his service in the Senate he natur-
ally grew as national party leader.
He was again chairman of the Yer
mont delegation in 1896, and the
friends of Governor Mckinley asked
him to act as temporary chairman Of
the convention. but he declined in
favor of another Vermonter, Senator
1hurston Of Nebraska At one time
his name was prominently discussed
Tor the Craftsmanship of the republican
national committee. but the physical
strain Of such a position and his other
duties would not permit him to con-
slider it,
The most momentous action Of the
republican national convention at St.
Louis in 1895 was not the nomination
or Governor Mckinley but the adop-
ton OF the gold plank" which forced
direct issue between a single money
standard and free silver" Senator
Proctor was large factor in the
adoption OF an unequivocal gold STAN
dard.
Although a strong party man. Senator
Proctor could see good in his political op-
DOnentS i,to
relations with them. when governor, he
appointed W. II. H. Bingham, who had
been the democratic candidate against
h'nl' a member Of the board Of directors
OF the States prison and house of correc
''oii' IN the Senate some Of his warmest
personal friends were democratic soma
tors) In 1898. when ne was reelected to
the Senate isome OF the members of our
Legislature proposed that after tho for
mol vote was taken, they would be glad
IN behalf OF tho democratic membership
TO move to mako II unanimous They
finally refrained from doing so because
the statute prescribed that the vote
should be by viva voce vote upon roll
call; buD democratic member intro
duced and the joint assembly unanimous
ly passed the following joint resolution:
Resolved, That tho senator Just elected
possesses in an eminent degree the conf
dence and esteem OF this Joint assembly
without regard to party affiliations. and
that we desire TO place upon record our
recognition OF this fact, and our apprecia-
ton OF his devotion to the interests of our
state and his efforts to advance its mate.
rial welfare"
Ut Is quite impossible to discuss all tho
many aides of an influential senator's
work, He Is required to take n position
upon all questions Of public policy wheth-
er within his special field OF interest or
not As republican senator Proctor
general attitude towards public questions
was that OF his party; but he wa. not a
suoservient follower He was conserva-
i've In his views and yet in practice even
as affecting strongly entrenched tradi-
tions OF the Senate ne had very progres-
sive ideas)
senator Proctor was great senator
In the Senate he found full opportunity
Tor the exercise OF ali his great mowers.
rhoush his executive force wns perhaps
his most conspicuous ability. the same
qualities which made him a strong execu
tve-practieal sense. judgment OF mon.
the ability to influence and use them and
his wide and comprehensive view OF II.
fairs-also peculiarly fitted him for a
commanding position In what has been
termed the most august and powerful
legislative body in the world" His ssrv-
Ice In the Senate, II years. two months
and % days, exceeded In length all his
other public service. II was in every sense
the elimination Of his public career
Though an excellent governor. and a