The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-03-02
SENATORS CARPENTER DEAD.
His Last Hours at Washington
A Brief Sketch OF - brilliant
Senator's LE1e-The Isepubii-
CARS in u Dilemma as 10 HIS

tor Matt ii. Carpenter, Of Wisconsin,
died at his residence in this city at
$50 O'clock this morning, His
health had been falling for abou,
two years past. Several times he has
been do@n with no expectation Of
his recovery. A naturally strong
constitution enabled him 10 rally
from these several attacks, but he
has been almost n wreck for the past
six months. Last Friday he was out
in his carriage and called upon the
President and at several Of the de-
partments. He went to bed again
the next day and never rose again.
The arrangements for the usual con-
gressional 6onors in connection with
the funeral have not yet been fully
decided upon. II has, however, been
decided that the funeral services
shall take place from the Senator's
late residence at $50 o'clock next
Sunday afternoon. The remains will
then be deposited temporarily in a
vaul: in the Congressional Cemetery
and will be conveyed to Wisconsin,
accompanied by a committee OF five
Senators and the Sergeant-at.arms,
soon after the close Of the present
session Of Congress.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE,
Matthew Hale Carpenter was born
in Vermont, near the town Of Water
bury, in the year 1926 When u
years of age be was adopted by Paul
Dillingham;, afterward governor of
that State. He was appointed to
West Point, but after two years lie
abandoned the Military Academy
and entered upon the study OF the
law with the illustrious Rufus Choate
in Boston. In 1913 he removed to
Beloit, Wis, whore in n few years he
was elected district attorney, al,
though the other candidates on the
same ticket were defeated by over
l,500 votes. In 1862 he removed to
Milwaukee, where he became &C.
knpwledged as one Of the ablest aud
most learned lawyers Of that section
OF the country, Before the war he
was a member of The Democratic par
81, but Since he has been an active
and ardent Republican, yet showing
a measure of respect for the opinion
Of others who differed from him in
marked contrast to most of Lis col
leagues in the Senate. In January,
1865, he vas elected to the United
States Senate, succeeding Hon. JAS.
h. Doolittle. In 1875 he was defeat
ed by Hon. Angus Cameron. Upon
his retirement he resumed the prac-
tice Of his profession principally in
Washington, and his most notable
cases were those of Belknap on his
impeachment trial and that Of the
people Of the United States against
the returning boards before The Elec.
Loral Commission. He did all in his
power to prevent the consummation
Of that fearful fraud, and Of all his
deeds this will forever remain the
brightest. He argued many impor-
taut cases before the Supreme Court.
Three years ago he argued u case be-
fore The Court ofAppeals Of Maryland,
and his eloquonce made profound
impression in the ancient city, while
those who met him were delighted
with his agreeable and friendly man
ners. In January, 1879, he was again
elected to the United States Senate,
in place of Hon. Timothy o. Howe.
Mr.. Carpenter was an inveterate
smoker and at one time he was com.
PEELED to abstain from the weed.
WHO WILL BE HIS SUCCESSOR
MILWAUKEE, February 24.-The
question Of the late Senator Carpen.
ter's successor is being agitated and
prominent politicians have gone to
Madison. The general belief here is
that Angus Cameron or Horace Rub.
lee will be chosen United States SEN
ator Judge Charles L. Dyer is not a
candidate, but is favorably mention.
ed. The German Pressand Milwaukee
Herald desire the election of Horace
Rublee. Every effort will be made TO
choose successor before March 4. 1t
is the opinion of lawyers that the
Legislature can act Immediately up.
on notification of the vacancy. At
Madison both houses have adjourned
in respect to the memory Of Mr.. Car
penter.
a REPUBLICAN DILEMMA.
CHICAGO, February pa private
dispatch from well.informed gem
tleman at Madison, Wis, says: "Our
Legislature viii be notified of the
death Of Senator Carpenter this even.
ing" Under the law of Congress his
successor cannot regularly be elected
until March 9th, the vacancy not
having occurred during a recess of
the Legislature. The suggestion has
been made that the Legislature adj
journ after indicating It's preference
for Senator, and permit the governor
to appoint a successor. The ques-
ton might arise, however, as to the
legality of such appointment and &C.
ton by the Legislature Baltimore
Gazette.