Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-05

| SENATOR FECE. Senator's friends
that his health had improved considerably, and
there were, more especially in the Senate, iu-
Vulnerable expressions OF qualification at the
| rumor of supposititiOus Improvement In The
Senator's family things were different; there
| it was known that DR.. Philip Wales, the family
physician. had grave doubts as to his patients
lease on life.
The Senator had been urged by some Of his
friends to cross the water and visit his old
home il Scotland in the belief that the voyage,
together with the absolute change attending
the trip. would prove beneficial. Upon this
proposition the physician put an unqualified
veto. He represented Mr.. Beck's condition as
such that he might die at any moment and
that it would be better for him TO remain at
home, where his friends could at any moment
minister to his wants. 1t was to satisfy him
self that DR.. Wales diagnosis of his case was a
correct one that Mr.. Beck went to New York to
consult DIR. LOOMS. The diagnosis was too
true. Accompanying the Senator his
daughter. Mrs. Goodloe, wife of Maj. Green
Clay Goodloe of the marine corps. To her
there was nothing alarming in her fathers
condition and she had no thought of the tragic
occurrence that took place as soon as the rail-
road journey was ended.
THE MEETING AT THE DEPOT.
Mr.. Rogers Clay, Senator Beck's private Sec
Rotary, was at the depot to receive them, and in
response to his query the Senator said he felt
all right. Maj. Nicholson and Mr.. Felix Nc
Closkey, Gen. SpinOla's private secretary,
greeted him just as he passed through the gate
way leading to the platform exit, but there was
no response. a muttered exclamation in which
something was said about dizziness" broke
from the Senator's lips; then he threw up his
hands and sank to the ground He was re-
moved on a stretcher to the station masters
room and doctor was sent for. DR.. Cham
berlain responded. but it was too late to do
anything but mourn James b. Beck was dead.
THE NEWS AT THE CAPITOL
The news was telegraphed to the Capitol and
the Senate, on motion of Senator Harris at
once adjourned. Many of the Senators and
Representatives drove at once to the depot
Representative W. c. Z. Breckenridge at once
took charge Of the body and had it removed to
his own home, 2i9 East Capitol street
The remains of Senator Beck have been
placed in a casket and lie in the parlor
large number OF persons, including most of his
senatorial colleagues. called during yesterday
to view the body and tender their condolences
to Mrs. Goodloe, the daughter of the dead
Senator. A large number of kilograms of con-
dolence were also received.
HIS LAST DAYS IN THE SENATE.
Senator Beck's last conspicuous appearance
IN the Senate was nearly two years ago, when
he delivered what many of his admirers re-
garded as his greatest speech upon the tariff.
Shortly after this the report spread about town
that Senator Beck was seriously i'll, confirma-
ton Of which was found i'll his unaccustomed
absence from his seat in the chamber 1t was
then said that he had broken down from over
work and that a brief season of rest would re-
store him to health again. But those of his
friends who knew better sit that the great
commoner would never to any marked degree
resume his legislative duties again.
This, however, was not his last appearance
IN public, although he remained i'll retirement
for several months. After time his strength
returned and he was enabled by the exercise
OF great care to continue his CORE spondence
and to some extent perform his duties as a
Senator He visited the Capitol occasionally
and his advice was ca gerly sought by his DEM
ocratlc cole agues on all matters OF national or
party interest. but it was felt that his DAYS
were mum bered and that he might die at any
moment although. as DR.. Wales said
he might have lived for years had he
been willing to abstain entirely from work and
pass the remainder of his days in compare
tive quiet.
The last time Senator Beck occupied his
seat IN the Senate was on the day when San
ders and Power, the Montana republican con-
testants, were awarded seats in that body.
A SKETCH OF Ills LIFE.
James Burnie Beck was one Of the few men
born a foreigner who have achieved distinction
In American craftsmanship. Born at Dunn
friesshire, Scotland. February -, 1922, he re-
ceived his early classical education in his native
place with no thought of leaving his Scottish
home. His parents emigrated TO this country
however. when the future statesman was but
sixteen years of age, settling at Lexington XIV
Here young Beck entered the Pennsylvania
University. from which he graduated i'll 1916.
when twenty-four years OF age. He am
bilious of distinction even at this early age and
as be was not a large land owner the only
| avenue open TO him was through the profession
of the law, to which he devoted himself with
| great assidulty for twenty wears
| In 1867 he was elected to the Fortieth Con-
| gress and reelected three times, serving his
| full eight years IN the lower house. He served
| on several committees, his most important
| work being upon the committees on recon-
| struction and appropriations. His service
| upon the latter committee led him to make a
| special study OF the questions OF finance and
| taxation. upon which he afterward became the
| acknowledged leader OF his party in the United
| States Senate He declined a fifth term as a
| member OF the House of Representatives. and
| Ill May, 1876, was appointed a member of the
| commission to define the Maryland and Vir-
| glnla boundaries. During the same year he
| was elected to the United States Senate as a
! democrat to succeed John W. Stevenson, demo.
| crat and took his seat March s. 1877. He was
| reelected in 1882 and again in 1883 Had he
lived his third term III the Senate would have
| expired in 1895.
| Possessed of a vigorous and wel-trainec
| intellect, with a natural bent for the study anC
| consideration OF financial questions, his eigh'
! years Of service in the lower house and nearI,
| fourteen years OF service in the Senate emf.
nently fitted him for leadership upon all sub
jects of this kind. Being foreign born, he wal
| Ineligible to the presidency. even if il had beef
| possible during the term of his public careel
| for q southern man to be elected TO that posi-
ton. The Senate was the highest office L
| which he could attain and he gave his best en-
deavors to make himself useful and honorable
legislator.
In personal appearance Senator Beck was
striking figure. SIX feet three inches IN height
he was broad shouldered and deep chested,
very giant in physical proportions. His JarG,
angular head was covered with a mass of darl
hair, which had become quite gray before hi
death. Earnestness to intensity was the chic
quality OF his speech and manner, a character
lstic that gave him more influence with his col
leagues than the graceful oratorical dIction o
| some OF his famous brother Senators In tn
death of Mr.. Beck the Senate of the Unitet
J States has lost one OF its foremost leaders.
Inspector Byrnes and Victoria Woodhul
Mrs. John Biddulph Martin and Lady Cooke
sisters. now of London, England, formerl
known as Victoria Woodruff and Tennie {