The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-10-24

daughters, Mrs Fred Davenport and Miss
Bertha Crisp, and his two sons, Mr..
Charles F. Crisp, Jr. and Mr.. Fred Crisp,
were ut the Ballard House, on peachtree
street. They were quickly summoned.
When then entered the room Judge Crisp
was still conscious He gave thom look
of recognition, breathcd II few times and
died. He could not speak.
Mr. Crisp's death, while apparently so
sudden, was not unexpected by the phySi-
hans who have been watching his health.
he had been declining for several years.
His last Illness however, was immedi-
Ately occasioned by an attack of malaria
lever which he contracted vt his home In
Americus, Ga, q few weeksago but which
Itself yielded to treatment when he came
10 Atlanta. He was considered GONZALES
cent, and only last Sabbath had ridden
out But when renewed health seemed
within view he WAS attacked by conges-
zion of the lungs, which, added to the
weakness Of the lungs and heart caused
by the previous attacks of pleuro-pneu-
nonia, resulted in his death.
Mr. Crisp was the choice of the Demo-
Gratis of Georgia to succeed Senator John
NJ Gordon IN the United States senate,
and would have been chosen to that po-
Eition by the legislature at its approach
ing session had he lived His death throws
the political situation into chaos and
makes the choice of senator II matter of
great uncertainty. The legislature is al
most unanimously for free silver, how
ever, and whoever is named will be an adj.
yocate of that policy.
Governor w. Y. Atkinson, who has Just
been reelected chief executive of Georgia
FOR term Of two years. is prominently
mentioned as successor to tho senatorial
snt which would have been Mr.. Crisp's
had he survived Should he tier and be
elected there would probably be Il contest
for the governorship between Hon. Robert
L. Berner and Hon. A. S. Clay chairman
OF the state Democratic executive COM
nttee. Governor Atkinson's choice rs
senator would rcnder necessary q special
election for governor.
Mr. Crisp's first prominence In national
Affairs came from the skill with which lie
led his party In several warm election
contests. The prestige he then acquired
led to his election to the speakership after
one of the most memorable cnnvasses in
the history of the house His chief op-
ponent was Senator Roger @. Mills, Of
Texas, whom he defeated after struggle
Ehat was prolonged SO that the house Of
representatives, contrary to custom, as
snbled on the opening day with the ques-
ton of its next speaker still In doubt.
As speaker Mr.. Crisp was fair, but firm.
His rulings have been upheld, and though
sometimes they were tho subject of con-
siderable criticism from his political op-
ponents, he always commanded their re.
kpcct and confidence. He was pro-
nounced advocate of the free coinage of
silver and Oh ono occasion his casting
vote as speaker saved the defeat Of free
coinage bill On the other hand, IL was
largely due to his tlrmness in ruling that
passed tho Sherman silver repeal law
through the house, his ruling defeating a
formidable tilibustering movement led by
Mr. Bland, of Missouri
Charles #. Crisp was born in Sheffield,
England where his parents had gone on
visit, and was brought to his home in
Georgia the year of his birth. He received
q common school education, and when
only 16 years Of age he entered tho
Confederate army, coming out Il lisuten-
ant After the war he studied law, and
then drifted into politics, After holding
several important state offices, he was
elected to the Forty.eighth, Forty-ninth,
Efticth, Fifty first, Flfty-second, Fifty
third and Fifty-fourth congresses, He
was elected speaker Of the Fifty second
and Fifty-third congresses He was 81
years old