Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-16
The Death OF Senator Hsll.
HIS NOTABLE CAREER-PERSONAI. "REMINISCENCES
AN ABLE MAN GONB,


HIS NOTABLE CAREER-PERSONAL "REMINISCENCES
AN ABLE MAN GONR.
few minutes after o'clock this morning e. s.
Senator Benjamin Harvey HiI OF Georgia, died at
his residence in Atlanta. For months past his life
has been gradually wasting away from the ravages
OF disease which dcfled the Skill OF surgery and
medicine. For days and weeks he had been calmly
awaiting the inevitable end, and he passed away as
peacefully as the lull OF a soft, summer breeze.
His death removes one of the most conspicuous
hgureS IN modern politics and bushes voice of
csree5v st But few deW months ago.
picture or physical strength and Intellectual vgor
In the contest between the republicans and demo-
Senate Immediately following Gen. Garfleld's In
augurati0n Mr.. Hill took a most prominent part.
Indeed, he was the real leader of his party in that
nghL Although the 1nSid1OuS disease which Sapped
his strength and carried him to the grave had then
begun its deadly work, there was no outward evi-
dence OF 1t. or all his compeers in the Senate he
by human vision as the first Of that body to die
He himself did not then dream OF the fatal nature
OF the small liberation In his mouth, which annoyed
more than 1t disturbed him.
ONE OF TIE LIONS OF THE SENATE
One OF the Senator's whom visitors to the Capt.
tol Invariably asked to have pointed out TO them
was Senator Hill, Of Georgia. He won his spurs
In political debate years ago in the House, and in
the Senate he maintained his fame as one OF the
abest orators and readiest debaters in public life
HE was born In Jasper county, Georgia, September
H. 1923, and was therefore not quite SO years of
age. He received classical education, and grad
University or Georgia in 1874 The following wear
ne was admitted to the bar He entered politics
almost as soon as he acquired his procession, and
ms powers or OratOry and courage at once carried
him to the front. He served terms in both
branches OF the legislature, and was defeated in
1855 for Congress and in 1857 for governor on the
American ticket. He opposed secession. ana stood
by the Union until Georgia followed other southern
states the rebellion He served in both houses of
ORC 70 MI
the democracy to power in Georgia, subsequent to
the rebellion, was elected to the 44th Congress
ao t m eh @ II tn was In the Con-
and won the distinction which he has since had
He entered the lists in political debate against
House. and regarded as invlncible in discussion.
Those were the days of fierce sectional passion,
Rains od IL ~flofe ar Nv was earnest ana oltter Mr.
the south and fayed jeff. Davis. In behalf OF his
section Ben Hill manifested courage enough to
the country still remembers the exciting forensic
struggle tnat followed. The republicans made
capital out or Hills defense OF Jef1 Davis, but in
the exciting stlte OF sectional feeling that tact
commended him to Georgia and the SOUTH and his
state elevated him to the Senate, to which body
his recent antagonist, Mr.. Blaine, had prace led
him but short time.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Mr. Hill was one OF the few public men who re-
talned the habit Of speaking eXtemporaneously
He never read his speeches, no matter how i'm
rortant the subject Or how much time he might
consume. His usual mode OF preparation was to
read such books or documents as contained 1n:or-
nation on the points he desired He never spoke
from Manuscript and rarely ever used written
no tes. He possessed wonderful memory and
would treasure in 1t all the points OF an intended
speech. He was ready, prompt and incisive, and
he and Mr.. Blaine frequently aGtagOniZed each
other in the Senate. A discussion between thcs,
two men always filed the galleries During last
summer and fal Mr.. Hill was under surgical
trea tInent At one time during the recent session
OF Congress his medical attendants believed they
haG effectually checked the ravages OF
the cancer in his mouth by Surgical
operation. He returned to his duties
charged. however, by his surgeons, not to engage
in discussion, but when the question Of repeating
the law, iorbidding cx-Confeierates to hold PC
stions in the army agitated the Senate his inter-
est in 1t made him forget the injunction, and he
took part in the discussion. His voice seemed as
strong, but there Was painful impeachment in his
speech, which, though impairing articulation did
not destroy the power OF his eloquence Senator
Hill was man Of genial nature and kind dispo-
stion, though OF strong passions and determined
Will. His personal qualities We're recognized
during his illness, and before it assumed ne
cessarily fatal shape, by a joint letter from his
brother Senators signed by every one OF them,
assuring h i'm OF their regard and sympathy. The
deadlock contest OF last year WAS the last in
W htch Mr.. Hill ever appeared as a leader. He
made the trst attack upon Senator Malone, and
the republicans for their alleged alliance, which
was the keynote OF the democratic contest On that