Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-24
Death of Senator Carpenter.

senator Matthew II. carpenter QleQ tnlS morn
ing, at 10 O'Clock, at his residence In this city,
s22 connecticut avenue. His health had been
falling for about two years past. Several times
he has been down with no expectation OF his
recovery. A naturally strong constitution ena.
bled him to rally from these several attacks,
but ne has been almost a wreck for the past six
months. Though his death was caused directly
by Brights di> ease OF the kidneys, there was
general dissolution OF the vital energies Yes
terday afternoon be had improved considerably,
and IL was expected that he might rally 10 again
be able to get about During the night, how
ever, he got worse, and 1t was known that he
could not live. Last Friday he was out 10. his
corfage, and called upon the President and at
several of the departments. He went to bed
again the next day, and never arose again.
THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THK FUNERAL
were not decided upon entire this afternoon
The few days remaining OF the present Con
less. had to be considered 10 ar
ranging for the usual congressional hol-
Ors. So It has been agreed That the fu0e-
Ial Ial stan take place at the family residence,
S22 Connecticut avenue. at 2:30 O'Clock next
SUNDAY afternoon, Dr.. Paret 10 conduct the
services. The remains Will be escorted by Con-
greSS 10 congressional cemetery and deposited
in the vault. Immediately after the inaugura-
lion committee OF Congress will accompany
the body to Wisconsin, anu day will be set
apart fer eulog1es- The family consented 10
this arrangement at the request or Congress.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
Hon. Matthew Fl. Carpenter has been pro1t-
nent In national affairs for twelve years blt
prior TO his entrance into public life he was
recognized as man OF marked ability. He was
tOrn at Moretown, Vt, in 1924, and entered the
United States Military Academy when nineteen
years OF age with the idea OF following the life
or soldier; but two years at West Point con
ylnced MIN that he had not chosen the proper
field for his abilities, and he then began the
study of Law under Rufus Choate. He made
such rapid progress In his studies that he ~as
adnitfed SSi1 tee TO- to the bar W., In ' ISIS and in
tered upon the practice or his profession.
He devoted himself energetcally to the law aud
each year extended his lame and bis practice.
He won distinction as an accomplisha ed orator
aid thorough logician. In 1865 he appeared
befoIe the L. S. supreme Court in the celeora-
ted McArd1e case, which attracted the atten-
.lon OF The whole country. His effort
before that high tribunal stamped him as "a
man OF unusual ability and gave MIN a
national reputation. In 1869 he was elected
l. s. Senator by the republicans OF Wisconsin
and he served his party and his country SO well
that when his term expired he was the choice
OF the republicans as his own successor. But
the democrats were about that time QS75) try
ing the experiment OF defeating regular repub-
lican nominees through coalition With disap
pointed republicans BY combination OF this
kind, majority of which was democrats, Mr.
Carpenter was defeated. But he lived long
enough to hear democrats generally express d
regret that they had not rather aided to return
him to the Senate than to defeat him, and
when the next senatorial election In Wisconsin
the democracy. He was elected to the Senate
in 1879 to succeed Mr. Howe, and one OF the
most uncompromlsing democrats in that body.
when welcoming Mr.. Carpenter back shook htm
cordially by both hands, and said: "We didn't
know you as well four years ago as we do now,
else no democrat would have preferred another
republican over you" During the four years he
was out OF the Senate Mr.. Carpenter practiced
laW1n Washington, and his national reputation
as lawyer brought to his firm an extensive
business. Mr.. Carpenter has taken part in a
number OF the important law cases OF this cOun-
Try. some OF which make up part OF our ma
tioDal history. He was one OF the counsel
for Tilden before the electoral commission, and
the Intimate knowledge OF state and
national law he there displayed, won for him
the plaudlts OF the bar generally. Senator Car
penter was not much or a politician. He was a
man OF broad and liberal mind, and when MS
views OF public question led him to differ
With his party associates he had the couragr
TO maintain his own convictions There is not
a member OF the Senate, perhaps excepting
Senator Blaine, VINO has more warm friends oii
all sides OF the chamber than Mr. Carpenter.