The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-10-29

tressed at his sudder death. His quick.
ness, calmness and sound Judgment made
him the natural leader of the democrats
in the house of representatives. His
kind and gentle temperament gave him
the love of all who knew him.
Although he had filed the highest
position given to Georgian in the ma
uonal councils since the days of Howell
Cobb, he especially desired seat in the
senate, and his refusal to accept the ap-
poihtment rendered him by Governor
Northen was the clearest proof of his
unselfish patriotism.
He had just fairly won before the
people OF Georgia Il seat in the senate.
In that body he would have added to
his great national reputation, and | re-
greet sincerely that he has not been spared
to fill it,"
THE NEWS IN WASHINGTON.
Washington, Oct 23-Speaker Crisp's
death was not altogether surprise in
political circles, as it had been known
i for some months that he had not long to
live and never again could be an active
figure in public affairs. The speaker had
several spells of illness in Washington.
He suffered from asthma and later from
heart trouble. His i'll health. however,
dld not become matter of public noto-
riety until the past spring, when he was
compelled to cease debate with eX-Secre-
tary Hoke Smith by reason of the advice
of his physicians that it would imperi
his life for him to continue the debate
which had attracted great state as well
as national interest by reason of the fact
that it would involve the position of the
democratic party of the state on the sill
yer question as well as the senatorship
from Georgia, for which the cx-speaker
was an active candidate. The silver men
won their fight, and Mr.. Crisp, had he
lived, would have been the next senator
from Georgia
He was u forceful speaker and pos
sessed of other qualities that fitted him
for the leadership in parliamentary as
semblage.
His first prominence in national af-
fairs came when he led his party in sew
eral warm election contests. The pres
tige he then acquired led to his election
to the speakership after one of the most
memorable canvasses in the history of
the house. His chief opponent was Sen
ator Roger .. Mills, whom he defeated
after a struggle that was prolonged so
that the house, contrary to custom, as
sembled on the opening day with the
AS speaker, Mr.. Crisp was fair but
firm. His rulings have been upheld and
though sometimes they were the subject
of considerable criticism from his polit-
cal opponents, he always commanded
their respect and confidence. He was Il
pronounced advocate of the free coinage
of silver and on one occasion his casting
vote as speaker saved the defeat of n
free coinage bill On the other hand. it
In
that the house passed the Sherman re-
peal law through the house, his ruling
defeating a formidable flibustering
movement led by Mr.. Bland of Missouri
and others.
Mr.. Crisp was an Englishman by birth
and in his early life had been identified
with the stage.
MIR. BRYAN WAS GRIEvED.
Peoria, ILL.,, Oct. 23.-Willam j.
Bryan was shown the Associated Press
f. Crisp, when he boarded the train at
Springfield this afternoon, and he ex-
pressed himself greatly surprised and
grieved at the death of Mr.. Crisp. He
said
while / have known that Mr. Crisp
was in feeble health, l had not thought
his life was in danger. His death will
be great loss to the democrats OF the
nation, because he was one of the strong
est men in public life. He was SO kind
to me during my four years of public
life that | feel his death is personal loss
to me-"
Mr.. Bryan Immediately sent dispatch
of coincidence to Mrs. Crisp sympathzing
with her in her distress.
1t was decided late this aftern. Oh that
the body of the distinguished Georgian
will be removed from the sanitarium to
the state capitol, where it will lie in
state until 1880 Sunday morning, at
which hour it will be transferred to u
train and borne under private escort to
Americas, Mr.. Crisp's late home, where
the funeral will take place Sunday after
noon at $3.50 o'clock.
A number of kilograms of coincidence
have already been received, including one
from Secretary of War Lamont.