, 1896-10-24
SPEAKER CRISP.
The Distinguished Georgia Statesman
Passes Away.

Atlanta. Ga, Oct. 23.-Charles F.
Crisp, the ex-speaker Of the house of
representatives, died here this after
noon.
Charles Frederick Crisp of Americas
was born on the 29.h OF January, 1916,
ents had gone on a visit; was brought
by them to this country the year OF his
birth; received 4 common school edu-
cation in Savannah and Macon, Ga;
entered the confederate army in May,
1861, was a lieutenant in Company X,
Tenth Virginia infantry, and served
with that regiment until the 18th of
May, 1864. when he became a prisoner
of war: upon his release from Fort
Delaware, in June 1865. he Joined his
parents at Ellavi,le, Schley county, Ca;
read law in Americas, and was admitted
10 the bar there in 1866; began the
practice OF law in Ellavil,e. Ca; in 1872
was appointed solicitor general of the
southwestern judicial circuit, and was
reaIpcinted in 1873 for a term of four
years; located in Americas in 1873; in
June, 1871 was appointed judge of the
supreme court Of the same circuit; in
1878 was elected by the general as
sembly to the same office; in 1880 was
reelected judge for a term of four
years; resigned that eff e in September,
1882, to accept the democratic nominal
ton for congress; was permanent presi-
dent of the democratic convention
which assembled in Atlanta in April,
1888, to nominate a candidate for gov
ernor.
He had served continuously stree tn,
beginning Of the Forty-e:ghth con-
gress, receiving 1854 votes against
1882 votes for Wimberly, the peoples
candidate.
AS a parliamentarian Crisp had few
superiors. When Reed was speaker
Crisp was the only democrat who DEM
%onstrated his ability to so cOnfound
the car as to make him lose his t9npsr
on the floor of the house. Crisp was
never known to get ratified" 1t was
that fact, coupled with his knowledge
of parliamentary law and his judicial
and fair mind, hat induced many to
believe that he would make a speaker
almost equal to Carlisle. He was an
excellent debater, ready and quick with
an apt reply. He was, too, very sincere
rf pIIrnnsn and nnno ha rola I'M hi.
mind to do a thing he did it. He was n
thorough democrat, and. though be
fought on the other side during the
Shareholders rebellion, he was as
staunch a believer in the union as one
could find in a d avs walk. He was
probably better fitted for the position Of
speaker than any other democrat in the
house whose abilities have thus Ter
been tested. On all except times of
great excitement he was a pronounced
success as a presi ling officer. He was
clear-headed then, and though the ends
of a parliamentary question might to
the masses of listeners and p~aticipat9rs
be lost in the tangie. speaker Crisp
never lost sight of them and at the
proper time %unravelet them with d
simple ease. He was highly respected
and was a credit no: only 70 himself
and his state, but 20 congress.
Mr.. Crisp's untimely death throws
the political situation into choas and
makes the choice OF senator a matter
of great uncertainty The legislature
is almost unanimously for free silver,
however, and whoever is named will be
an advocate of that policy. Mr.. Crisp
has been at the sanitarium five weeks
suffering from ma!arial fever. The i'm
mediate Of death was heart fail
ure.