Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-17

which he worked night and day for the
success of the republican Iarty and his old
friend. Senator Hanna. A week before the
campaign closed in New York he went to
Brooklyn and spoke for the success of the
republican party. There he contracted a
severe cold, and when he returned to Wash
inSton the next day was quite i'll. Never
thelesS, he went at once to Ohio and spoke
on the night of October 80 in Cleveland in
conjunction with Senator Hanna. Commits
sioner ButterwCrth expressed himself as
deeply interested iE Senator Hanna's cleo
ton before he left Washington. and said he
was going to do what he could for the sue
cess of his friend. In the meantime his
cold grew better. and week afterward he
vert to Cincinnati and cast his vote. He
attended to some personal business after
ward and on the afternoon of November
6. had n long chat with Senator Hanna on
the political situation.
The Fatal Illness.
1t was during this conference that he was
taken with severe chill, and was removed
at once to his hotel. Senator Hanna. fear
full Of his friends condition. telephoned to
Acting Commissioner Greeley. directing him
to notify Mrs. Butterworth to come to her
husband a. once. The commissioners con-
ditiCn was precarious for time. but his
wonderful vitality pulled him through the
attack of pneumonia and 1t was decided to
take trip south to Townsville. Ga.
was expected to restore him to his full
health. The party left for the south about
November 20. and from that time up to
two weeks ago, the most encouraging news
was received of his condition. He wrote
several letters to Assistant Commissioner
Greeley, in all of which he expressed the
hope Of soon returning to work, and in one
of them named January 10 as the very
latest he expected to be away. The day
before the relapse he had planned to come
to Washington.
Major Butterworth was most capable
commissioner of patents. Having once
served in a similar capacity, he was thor
oughly familiar with the office. and had
planned to put the office on better basis
than ever before. He frequently expressed
his great interest in the department. and
hoped by honest endeavors to broaden its
scope and increase its usefulness. During
his brief connection with the service he
many wholesome changes In
the methods of practice. His support of
Assistant Commissioner Greeley in the
Wedderburn trial marked the advent of
i'm provement in the rules Of practice. AL
though fairly swamped with influence and
pressure from high sources to terminate
this trial, he refused and prosecuted the
case with only purpose to bring out the
truth and rectify the wrong.
Sorrow Throughout the building.
The greatest sorrow pervadedthe patent
Office today. The clerks. one and all, Joined
to many Of them was almost personal.
Butterworth endeared him
self to all who were brought in contact
with him. 1t was said of him that he never
a clerk for political reasons. and
under his former administration but one
dismissal was made. Kind, considerate and
with heart of sympathy. he won the con-
fidence and esteem of all who knew him.
Assistant Commissioner Greeley spoke
of his dead chief to a reporter of
The Star this morning. He said:
'Of all the men 1 have known there is
not one whom / respected more. He was
a loyal friend; faithful, true and honest.
His death is a great personal loss to me. as
well as all the clerks Of this office. The
world cannot afford to lose such men as
Major Butterworth. AS an official he knew
only his duty, and did 1T cheerfully and
fearlessly. He took pleasurable pride in
the department of which he was the head
and hoped and planned for greater things
will ever remain green in the hearts of all
who knew him.
According to the law. Assistant Com
missioner Greeley assumes the duties of
commissioner for thirty days, during which
time the President will name successor
to Commissioner Butterworth.
A Loss to the Country.
The Secretary of the Interior in speak
ing Of the death Of Commissioner Butter
worth said:
1.-The death of Commissioner Butterworth
IS a great loss. not only from personal
aspect. but to the country at large. Every
body loved Butterworth who knew him.
and the Interior Department suffers in his
loss. Every mark of respect will be paid
his memory. The patent office will be
closed the day of the funeral"
Postmaster General Gary said: 1.-THE
death of Major Butterworth will be de-
plored by the whole country. His was one
of the most lovable of natures. He was
a kind friend. a loving parent and q thor
oughly conscientious man. His face will
be missed by the legions of those fortunate
enough to have known him. and his place
in the party to which he was devoted can
not be filed"
Major Buttcrwortl's Early Days.
For many years Major Butterworth oc-
cupied a prominent place before the Amer
lean people. AS a lifelong republican he
was always regarded as one Of the leaders
in Ohio state and national affairs, and al
though quick to criticise methods of poll
tics that he regarded as unfair within or
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