A commanding figure among the Republican forces in the United States
senate, not alone from his personality and ability, but also because
of his attitude on trust legislation and on the Philippine question,
is George Frisbie Hoar, Massachusetts. Mr. Hoar was born in Concord,
Massachusetts, August 29, 1826. A graduate of Harvard in 1846, aged
twenty, and later of Harvard law school, he has retained his interest
in higher education, and in scholarly matters. He has been an overseer
of Harvard college from 1874 to 1880, at various times regent of the
Smithsonian Institute, a trustee of the Leicester academy and the
Peabody Museum of Archæology, and officer of various national and state
societies. He settled in Worcester, Massachusetts, after graduating and
practiced law. He has been married twice, his first wife being Mary
Louisa Spurr and his second Ruth A. Miller. His service in the senate,
since 1877, is exceeded by but few fellow-members, and he represents
that body’s best traditions. He was elected because, as legislator from
1852 to 1856, as state senator in 1856, and as member of congress from
1869 until he was sent to the senate, he had shown marked ability, an
unfailing watchfulness for public welfare and an unswerving honesty
as rare as it is desirable. Senator Hoar is a striking example of
how irreproachable integrity can take active and prominent part in
party politics. He has kept his influence in his party and in general
legislation in spite of sometimes opposing leaders of his own party,
when his conscience and judgment bade him do so.