The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-05-04
He Drops Lifeless in : Wash
ingtOn Railroad Sta1i0n.
PARALYSIS OF the HEART.
Democrats Lose Their AbleuB Leader
in the Upper House
Tho silver Split Not Vet 0o0ented-
House Passes Consular ApPropris-
tion-sabstdses for American Steam
ship Lines.

wAsHrysroS CRY. May 4-senstor
James B. Beck. of Kentucky. dropped
dead in the Baltimore & Potomac station
arrived from New York, accompanied by
his daughter, Mrs. Gcodioe. vile OF Major
Goodioe, United states marine corps He
got of of the train with the rest Of the
passengers and walked with his daughter
the entire length OF the platform aud
through the gate leading TO the station
proper. He seemed to walk with effort and
to breathe with labor. but those symptoms
had been the usual accompaniment OF ex-
ertion with him for some months past
After passing into the station the senator
and his daughter stopped and we're joined
By his private secretary. who had brought
a carriage to take them home.
A few words were exchanged with regard
to care of the baggage. when the senator
suddenly turned pale, and with the remark
Il feel dizzy. fell into the arms Of his COM
panions. They could not support his
weight and he dropped to the door. where
he swooned away. Willing hands were
numerous. and the limp and helpless body
was borne into the Office OF the station
master. about twenty feet away. When
physicians arrived there was nothing for
them 10 do except TO examine the body and
determine the cause of death. A super
fetal examination only was possible at the
time, but sufficient to satisfy the physicians
that death resulted from paraiy sis of the
heart
The news was telegraphed TO the
capitol, and subsequently 10 all sections OF
hA a,< a
Caruth. Stone and others. OF the Ken
lucky congressional delegation. repaired to
the station At once and arranged for re-
movai of the remains to . more suitable
place.
The body of Senator Beck was removed
from the station to the house of Repre-
sentative Breckinridge, of Kentucky. No
arrangements have as yet been made for
the funeral. Major and Mrs. Goodioe, SON.
in-iaw and daughter OF Beck, expressed q
Willingness to leave all the arrangements
for the funeral in the hands OF the Ken
tuoky delegation.
Beck left q son named George. who at
present is somewhere in Wyoming. His
only other child is his daughter, Mrs.
GOOdioe.
James Burnie Beck was born In Dunn
iriesshire, Scotland, February l3, ISL. He
received an academic education Ia his ma
tive country, and, coming to the United
States With his parents. settled in Lexing-
ton, KY, and was graduated at the law
school Of Transylvania university In tha;
place in 1916. He then practiced law in
Lexington and in 1865 was elected to con-
gress, serving four consecutive terms, from
1866 till 1875. In May, 1876, he was ap-
pointed a member OF the commission TO de-
tine the Virginia and Maryland boundary,
and in the same year was elected to the
United States Senate. He took his seat
March 4, 1877, was reelected in 1882 and
again ia lss9. He was the ablest speaker
in the Senate on the Democratic
side. His attack on the Wall street
ministration gave him great prominence.
senator Beck had not been regular in
attendance upon sessions of the Senate for
two years, and was in his seat but few
times this congress. Tne last legislation of
general Importance with which he was con-
nected was the ''undervaiuation bill"
which passed the Senate in March. 1898.
He worked on that measure with constant
devotion. says Senator Allison. who was
associated with him. until it was disposed
of. One morning, shortly afte rwards, he
came into the room of the committee say
ing he had been sick the night before, and
was not then feeling well. That
was the FIRST time he was ever
known TO be sick. and from
that time forward he was never a well man
again" During the debate on the Senate
substitute for the Mills bill he was not able
10 take part. and his absence was great
loss TO the Democratic ranks. He was not
able ~ be present at the opening OF the
special session in March, 1859. and was
sworn in by president pro tenn. Ingalls,
some days afterward. He had visited the
caritol occasionally since the opening Of
the Fiity-first congress, but took no part in
the proceedings except TO vote. and his last
appearance in the chamber was on the day
the case of the new Montana senators, San
ders and Power. was settled. Senator Beck
was greatly beloved BY the employees of the
Senate for his uniform kindness and cour-
tesy, and his sctive interest in their wei
fare.