New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-26
SUDDEN DEATH OF A CONGRESSMAN.
LEWIS T. WATSON, OF PENNSYLVANIA, sTR1CK-
EN- WITH APOPLExY-HlS DEATH THE

sudden DEATH OF A CCNTht~oSMhN'
LEWIS T. WATSON, OF PENNSYLVANIA, sTR1CK-
EN- WITH APoPLExY-HIs DEATH THE
ELEVENTH IN THE PRESENT HOUSE.
Washington Aug % (speclaD-The members OF
the House OF Representatives were again shocked
to-day by the sudden death OF OF their associates,
Mr. Watson, OF Pennsylvania, who was stricken by
apopexy about enter his carriage to drive
the Capitol short time before the hour Of meeting
His health had not been good for some time and his
physician had warned him Of the need Of absolute
rest. lie took short vacation, but was TOO conscen-
tous to remain away his post of duty when he felt
that his presence needed and 50 he returned
against the wishes Of his medical adviser. and he Is
dead.
Mr. Watson was serving his third term in Congress,
and had been rcnOmnatcd for the Lid Congress. III
the XLVth Congress he introduced the first bill to
regulate interstate commerce which was ever brought
forward III Congress, and some Of the most important
features of that bill embodied in the law now on
the statute books. Mr. Watson enjoyed the personal
friendship and esteem Of every member OF the House
who knew him. and nearly every member did Know
him. lie was a successful in business, and had
amasscd comfortable fortune. Although he had
passed the age Of seventy years. he seemed to be
OF much vigor until within the last few months
Probably his life was shortened by his devotion and
application 10 his public duties-a cause which. APP
parently will not be likely to produce like result in
the case OF many members Of this Congress.
Mr. O'Ncil OF Pennsylvania, announced to the
House the death OF his colleague and offered appro-
pirate resolutions. which unanimously adopted.
The speaker appointed as the funeral committee
Me,sr,. Culbertson, of Pennsylvania, McAdoO, Craig.
Townsend, OF Pennsylvania; MASH Wallace, Of New
York, and Kerr. OF Pennsylvania. The House then,
a, a mark Of respect Ia the memory OF Mr.. Watson,
adjourned.
In the Senate Mr. Quay offered resolution. which
was agreed 10, concurTing in the appointment Of a
committee, and providing ~ an additional mark OF
respect that the senate adjourn. Senators Cameron.
CgllOm and Faulkner were appointed committee on
the part Of the senate, and then the Senate ad-
ioured.
Mr. Wat.on's is the second one added to the
death record Of the House within a few weeks. IL
{, hardly month since Mr. Walker, of Missouri, sud
denly died from n stroke Of apOpeXy Death has
lcen busy among the Representatives in the present
Congress. Since their election In November. 1s7s no
less than eleven men have d.cl. They were Kelley,
Randall and Watson. Of Penn yvaRa: Cox, WILDER
and Knitting, Of New York, Burns and Walker. OF
Missouri: Town,hcnd Of Illinois; Laird. Of Nebraska,
aud Gay, 0f Louisiana. This mortality IS wholly
prcccdcntcd In the same period one Senator died
Mr. Beck, Of Kentucky. whose death wa as sudden
that Of Mr.. Watson, Of Pennsylvania, or Mr..
Walker, Vi Missouri The death roll is remarkable
also for the number OF distinguished names which it
contains. Mr.. Beck had ,erycd eight year, ia the
ate. William d. Kelley, the Father Of the House."
had nearly completed his twenty ci ghth consecutive
Year Of service In that body, ana had been re
elected samuel j. Randall wa Judge krllcy's junior
IN continuous -ervice by only two gear, and he had
been reelected samuel Coz. who first elected
To the House IN i-1O had served twcntyci,ht years
hut not continuously, and had been reelected for
fifteenth term.
nrrc vcrc four men tho total 81 whose years Of
oryIec IL COngr Amounted 10 lO2 ycarsmOrc than
Year tor each year u the cNistcnrr uf the Congress
Itself and ninety Of tie year, In the House o. Repro
scutut,ycS. Every one of these men had made his
mark history and upon the statute books II the
u.tci states. hc able 10 do because ho
mama cd to retain IN, hold upon seat in Congress
daring long term Of years Congress, districts which
are the habit Of swapping Representatives, every
tvo or fo1r years-no matter whether the incumbent
be able and efficient OthcrwlSe-may find a moral
here II they viii seek II.