Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-07-04
SIMON CAMERON DEAD.
The Famous Printer, Editor, Com
tractor and Politician Expires.


tractor and Politician Expires.
LANCASTER, Pa, June 26. General
Simon Cameron, .tthe czar of Pennsyl-
yania politics." who in his 80 years of
life has been printer, editor, banker, rail
road constructor, acknowledgement of
Pennsylvania secretary of war, minister
to Russia and four times United States
senator, died at his country home, Done
gal Springs, 20 miles from this city, at s
o'clock this evening.
His death was the result of an attack
OF paralysis, which occurred on Thurs
day last, affecting the entire right side,
since which he has scarcely regained
consciousness and taken little or no sus-
teuanoe, being sustained alone by his
wonderful vitality. The final attack was
preceded about six weeks ago by hem
orrhages, which greatly Frustrated him,
but which he regarded lightly, though
unable to leave the house.
The generals condition during yester-
day was rather encouraging, and death
came suddenly from weak spell. Up to
the last attack he was conscious and had
no trouble to swallow the food given
him, and which he appeared to assimllate.
Around the death bed were ex-Attorney-
general MacVeagh aud wife, Mrs. Halde-
man, James Cameron, Simon B. Cam
eron and wife and Mrs. David Watts, a
granddaughter. The funeral will be held
in Harrisburg.
United States Senator James Donald
Cameron, son of tine deceased, who has
| been il Scotland, sailed for home to. day
in response to cGblegram announcing
his fathers illness. He will therefore not
learn OF his death until he arrives on this
side of the Atlantic a week hence.
| Simon Cameron was horn In Lancaster
| county, Pa, March 9th, 1893. He was left
| an orphan at an early age, but received o
| fair English education, and began to learn
| the printers trade whom nine years of age.
| He worked as journeymRn In Lancaster,
Harrisburg and Washington, and SO i'm
| proved his opportunltiasth that In 1920 he was
| editing newspaper In Doylestown, Pa,
and In 1922 one In Harrisburg As soon as
he had accumulated sufficient capital he
became interested In banking and In rail.
road construction in the central Fart OF
the state. He was for u tims adiutant gen.
| eral of Pennsylvania. He was elected to
the United States Senate In i8i5 for one
term ending in 1919. and during this period
acted with the pemo3 Gratis on important
party questions, such as the Missouri COM
ptomlse bill. This was repealed In 1854,
Peoples party" subsequently, merged
with the Republicans. AS Its can
dldate he was reelected to the
Senate for the full term Of six
years beginning In 1859. period
that covered the exciting crisis OF seees-
sion. During this time he was 30 earnest
an advocate OF peace that his loyalty was
suspected. At tbs Republican convention
that nominated Abraham Lincoln he was
strongly supported for the Presidency, and
again for the Vice presidency, but lack o!
harmony In the Pennsylvania delegation
prevented his nomination for the latter
Office. MIR. Lincoln ut once called him to
the cabinet as Secretary OF War, and he
proved equal to this arduous duties Of the
place. He advocated more stringent and
aggressive war measures than MIR. Lincoln
was prepared TO carry out, and when Gen,
Butler asked for Instructions regarding
fugitive slaves, directed him to employ
them "under such organizations and In
such occupations as exlgenclee may sug-
gUst or require" Similar instructions were
given to Gen. sherman and other officers
In the field. In the original draft OF his au.
nual report to Congress In December. 1861,
he boldly advocated arming fugitive slaves
but this was modified on consultation With
the Cabinet. Mr., Cameron resigned the
secretaryship January 18th, 1852 and wa
at once appointed minister 70 Russia
His influence undoubtedly tended IL
large measure to secure the
friendship OF that powerful natioI
during the civil war. His oficia
conduct In "investins Alexander QUINN ns
, with the control Of large sums OF public
money and authority to purchase military
supplies without restriction and withou
requiring from him any guarantee Tor tn,
: faithful performance of his duties, whil
the services OF competent public officer
/ we're available, and on involving the gov
eminent In large contracts with person
+ not legtlmately engaged In the business
/ pertaining TO those contracts, and particu
l.rly In the purchase of arms for future de
, livery" was cansured by the House of Rep
resentatives April 30th, 1862, but Mr.. Lincoll
: Immediately sent message assuming, witt
the other heads of departments, an equa
7 share in the responsibility. He resigned u
minister to Russia November 9Th, 1862, an,
remained at home until 1866, when he wa
elected United States Senator and appointe
chairman OF the committee on fjreigi
affairs on the retirement OF Mr.. Charlie
Sumner In 1872 He was sent to the Senat
4 for the fourth time In 1873, but resigned II
' favor of his son, the preseat senator
James Donald Cameron. During the year
, Of his active public life he was powerful
political leader, practically debating th
, policy of the Il publican party In Pennsyl
,ta Ial, itaf ina