Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-11-11
DEATH OF HON. ROBr !. WALKER.


Mr. Walker, whose serious illness has been
noticed from day to day in THE STAR, died a.
two O'Clock this morning He sank rapidly all
day yesterday, and though he conversed some
during the day, was unconscious in his last
hours.
The funeral viii take place on Saturday next,
from his late residence, on Fifth street, and he
win be buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.
The annexed photographed sketch, written
by Mr.. Walker in the autograph book of a gen
tleman Of this city, on the 18th of August, 1861
will be Of more interest than a formal memoir:
OR. j. Walker born az the town Of Northum-
berland, Pennsylvania, July 10, 1901; graduated
at the University OF Pennsylvania, Philadel-
phia, July, 1919; Judge Of the Supreme Court of
Mississippi about 1928, (declined); U. 8. Senator
from Mississippi from January 8, 1896, to March
10, 1ss5; Secretary Of the Treasury from March
10, 1915, to March s, 1919, (resigned); Commits
sioner to China June, 1853, resigned because
steamer could not be furnished me as promised:
Governor of Kansas from April, 1851 to Decem-
her, 1s57, resigned because L would not aid in
forcing slavery on Kansas by fraud and forgery:
Financial Agent of U. S. Government, by ap-
pointment of Mr.. Chase (then Secretary of the
Treasury to Europe, from March, 1865 to No
Nmber, 1854, when i returned home having
completed my mission, by causing to be taken
and bought there $3.50 900 900 of Mr. Chase's ".
>. $40 six per cent bonds, and defeated the
second Confederate loan of SIS, 900 900; co-ope-
rated with others during same period i'm various
important transactions for the Federal Govern
ment, under special letter from Mr. Seward.
Secretary of State, written by express sanction
of President Lincoln. The above Is written nv
request of my excellent and much valued friend,
5. York At Lee"
In,
Pen, the following particulars of his life will be
of interest:
Mr.. Walker commenced his brilliant career at
the bar at the early age of twenty, entering upon
the practice Of the law at Pittsburg at that time
While there he made his first hit as a far-seeinp
politician by nominating General jackson for
PRESIDENT, long in advance of any like sug-
gesuon from any other quarter. In 1895 he
removed to the State of Mississippi, where for
several years he pursued a lucrative practice in
Natehez. From the latter State he was elected
United States Senator in 1885, and shortly after
taking his seat he won a high name in the West.
by very spirited opposition to Henry Clay in a
debate concerning the public lands He was a
hrm supporter of the administration of jackson.
and subsequently when Mr.. Tyler became Pres
ident, was supposed to have influenced the
latter to veto the bank bill that had been framed
Gus steps Mr.. Tyler took in relation to Texas.
ana which resulted in bringing that State into
the FEDERAL Union He opposed Van Buren,
mainly on the ground of the latter's hostility IN
the Texas annexation, and gave the weight of
his influence to supersede him i'm the Baltimore
Convention that nominated James n. Polk.
pne OF Mr.. Walkers letters concerning the
Texas question had great influence in determin-
ing the election of Mr.. Polk, and when the lat
ter came into Office he appointed Mr.. Walker
Secretary of the Treasury. While in this Office
he distinguished himself in treatise in favor of
Tree trade, which attracted a great deal of at
tention I'm Europe. He was an earnest and zeal
tus supporter of Mr.. Folks war measures against
Mexico, and kept up the national credit during
mat war without the agency of the banks
on surrendering the Treasury portfolio he re-
sumed the practice of law in the higher courts.
where he was variously engaged as leading
counsel in many important cases. Mr.. Buchanan
made him Governor of Kansas, but he had the
Independence to disagree with the latter's Kan
sas policy, and very soon resigned the position.
MI walker has continued the practice of his
profession, and made an occasional appearance
IN public prints in the treatment of various
topics of national Importance, particularly those
connected with the national finances
One Of the latest achievements of his busy life
was his successful management of the Alaska
purchase.
Brilliant as a lawyer and as a politician, Mr.
Walker was personally held in esteem for his
kindly, generous qualities.