The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-04-20
EX-CONGRESSMAN
1ILBORN DEAD

CaI Headquarters, wellington Hotel,
Washington, April 19.
Ex-Congressman S. G. Hilborn died
at 1 o'clock this afternoon at the Car
field Hospital His wife and daughter
were with him. Judge Hiborn was
naturally man of strong constitution
and until within the last few weeks
enjoyed the best of health. But for
month or two he had not been feeling
as we'll as usual. and his physician at
tributed this to kidney trouble. Neither
he nor his family imagined it was any
thing more than a functional disturb
ance, which would yield readily to
treatment but his case soon developed
alarming symptoms of diabetes.
The first indication of his serious i'll
ness occurred on Monday, April 10. He
had ordered a carriage to take him to
the Capitol and was about to leave his
house when his right foot suddenly
gave way and he was thrown into
state of collapse. A physician was i'm
mediately summoned and diagnosed his
case as blood poisoning. Later in the
day he made another effort to go to
the Capitol but with the same result.
From that time he grew steadily worse
Last Saturday he was removed to the
Garfield Hospital. He did not realize
that he was critically i'll until yester-
day, when he was asked to sign some
papers. But the depression caused by
a suspicion that his end might be near
was momentary only and he was soon
cheerful again. This was his condition
as he gradually passed into an uncon-
SciouS state. Three or four days ago
his physician gave up all hope of saw
ing his life, as the process of uraemic
poisoning was inevitable and had al
ready induced gangrene in one of his
limbs.
Mr.. Hilborn served for a while on the
District of Columbia Committee in the
House, but his best record was made
as member of the Committee on
Naval Affairs. He was second in rank
on that committee in the last Congress
and devoted every energy and most un-
tirfng attention to the arduOus duties
which Congress imposed. The furnish
ing of men and supplies to the navy to
carry on the war, providing new ships
for the navy and the reorganization of
the personnel by the committee caused
a great deal of work, of which Hilborn
was called upon to bear large portion
He was intensely interested in the
| navy, an extensive reader of books
bearing upon different branches of con-
struction and armament. and wrote a
lecture upon the new navy.
There is no doubt that his labors dur
ing the war Congress- in behalf of the
service of which he was so proud,
hastened the breakdown of his sys-
tenn. Mr.. HilbOrn was held in high es-
TEEN by his colleagues in the House.
He was a companiOnable man and al
though he ranked among the senior
members in point of age. he numbered
his associates among all classes. He
had many warm friends on the Demo
cratic side of the chamber and was
universally liked.
The funeral will be held at the Con-
gregational Church Friday afternoon.
One of the pallbearers will be Asso-
ciate Judge McKenna. The body will
be deposited in vault in Rock Creek
Cemetery and will probably be inferred
later in New York instead of California.
Mr.. Hilborn has brothers and sisters
buried in New York, but Mrs. Hilborn
has not yet fully made up her mind as
to the last resting place.
OAKLAND. April 19.-The news of Mr.. Hill
born's death was sorTowful surprise to his
was expected to arrive in Oakland in about a
week, and 1t was the intention of the Mer-
chants Exchange to tender him a banquet in
honor of the faithful work he has done for the
Third Congressional District during the past
Mr.: HiIborn came from Maine, where he
was born sixty-five years ago. His inclipations
graduation from Tufts College he at once com
menced preparing for the legal profession.
civil war, he admitted to practice and
for many years he made his home at the city
of Vallejo His earliest political experience
was gained as a member of the Board of Edu-
cation and City Trustees of Vallejo. In 1878
he elected a member of the Board of Su-
pervisors of SOlano County. but before the COM
pletion of his term he was elected to the State
Senate. His first prominent work in the Leg
islature was in connection with the regulation
of railroad freghts and fares, for at that time
and freight rates were under the jurisdiction
of the Legislature. Mr.. Hilborn fought the
hpafe0.
convention of 1878 Mr.. Hilborn was a delegate
and fought hard to prevent the adoption of
measures proposed by the kearney faction, and,
failing in this. he attempted to oppose the
adoption of the. constitution
After leaving the State Senate Mr.. Hilborn
practiced law for a few years. and in 1882
President Arthur appointed him United States
District Attorney. He then changed his resi-
dence to San Francisco and three years later
moved to this city, which has been his home
Oakland's first experience with Mr.. HiIborn
| in politics was in the city campaign of 1889.
| the city convention With his delegation he
! boted the convention because he thought un-
| fairness had been practiced- The result of this
! split the election of John R. Glascock. a
| Democratic Mayor A couple of years later
| he assisted in organizing the Municipal League
| and held the office Of president until he was
! elected TO Congress in 1892. Upon the reslg-
nation of Judge McKenna Mr. Hilborn was
nominated TO NIL the uneXpired term and was
| easily elected. For the long term he ap-
narently beaten by Warren B. English. al
| though the returns showed he had plurality.
| After contest in Congress Mr. Hilborn was
unseated. and all because of the disputed re-
turns of Altamont, the smallest precinct in the
| seven counties comprising the Third Congress
sional District.
In 1894 the battle of Altamont was fought
| out again and Mr. Hilborn elected by a
large majority over his old competitor.
Last year Mr.. Hilborn was again cand-
| date but it thought by many that a
younger man should be sent to Congress and he
! was beaten at the primaries by Victor H. Met
calf. now Congressman from this district
| six years ago to Miss Lou Root. and his widow
| child Grace.