The critic., 1891-02-25
SENATE.

In the Senate to-day the Chaplain in
his prayer feelngly alluded to the death
Of Senator Wilson OF Maryland which oc-
Cured in this city last night.
After the journal was read, business was
suspended, on the suggestion of Mr.. Ed
munds, to give time for consultation with
Mr.. German as to what course he wished
the Senate to pursue in connection with
the death of his colleague.
Mr. German, in q low and mournful
voice. said: 1T becomes my duty, Mr..
President, to announce to the Senate the
death OF my colleague, the late Ephraim
city last night about 1910 o'clock. My
late colleague, though not robust in
health, was in this Chamber Saturday
last, giving the earnest attention to public
business, which was the rule of his life.
On Sunday he was indisposed, but none
around him thought that it was more
than temporary trouble; which
wSSs sGGn 9SereRose RSss away His sGSsh asSh
shock, not only to his associates, but to
the country and to his family. My col
league had for some time anticipated
sudden taking OFF. He was conscious that
he had an attack of the heart which
might terminate his career at any
time. And yet with the courage of hero
and public duties as serenely and as quietly
and rs methodically as If he were in ro-
bust health. He had nearly reached the
allotted term of three score and ten. He
was beloved and honored by the people of
his State, whom he had served in their
State Legislature, as q Presidential
elector, as q member of the
House of Representatives, and as an
Associate Justice of the Circuit Court of
his district. He has been twice elected as
member of this body. HIS career here
is familiar TO all Of us. We knew him as
man Of lofty intelligence, as lawyer of
active and rare logic and as q gentleman
without reproach. He enjoyed the
esteem of every member of this body
without regard to party. The loss Of such
aman is a loss to the nation. But in
Maryland his death will be especially
mourned. The people of that State have
lost an upright citizen, O true friend,
faithful legislator. He died as he lived, a
modest, painstaking Christian gentleman.
Mr.. German then offered resolutions
expressing the great sorrow with which
the Senate had heard Of the death Of Mr..
Wilson,; directing the appointment Of a
order for experimenting his funeral di-
recting the removal OF the remains to
Maryland in charge Of the Sergeant-at.
Arms and attended by the committee, and
ordering that communication be sent to
the House Of Representatives with an in
vitation to attend the funeral tomorrow,
and to appoint committee to act with
committee Of the Senate.
Mr.. Spooner paid his tribute to the de-
ceased. He did so now, he said, because
when the Senate Gn obedience to its GUS
tony would hereafter suspend business in
order to allow eulogies to be delivered
he (Mr. Spooner) would not be q member
Of the body. Senator Wilson and himself
had entered the Senate on the same day
and had become members Of the Commit
tee on Claims on the same day, so that
their association with each other, personal
and official, had been intimate some years
ago. He had been admitted to Mr.. Will
sons confidence and been hOnOred by his
personal friendship. Mr.. Wilson'S death
came to him, therefore, as personal loss.
He spoke of the dead Senator as man
peculiarly modest and unobtrusive, and
yet having that spirit and independ-
ence that are essential to manliness
He had not taken that active part in the
proceedings of the Senate that other Sem
iitors had done but that was attributable
partly to those characteristics and partly
To the fact that for years the spectre of
death had been the companion of every
waking hour and the unbidden guest at
every feast. But he was able, when duty
cope successfully in debate with any
antagonist on any subject. He had great
legal learning, and his temperament was
judicial. He (Mr. SpooneD had never
known man from whom harshness or
injustice was less to be expected than
from Senator Wilson. His aspirations
were all elevated and he was, in his pub
lie and private life, q Christian gentle
man.
The resolutions were agreed to unani-
mously, and Messrs. German, Gray, Jones
of Arkansas Pasco. Faulkner, Spooner,
Wilson Of Iowa, Mitchell and Dixon were
appointed the committee on the part OF
The Senate.
The Senate then, as q mark of respect,
adjourned till tomorrow at II q. IN.