Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-12-27
Senator Frye Notified.

No details concerning the arrangements
for the funeral of Senator Sewen Of New
Jersey have been received by Col Rams
dell, sergeant-at-arms of the Senate. He
was notified of Senator Sewells death this
morning and at once, sent word to Senator
Frye, who will appoint committee of SEN
ators to attend the funeral. The Speaker
of the House Of Representatives has also
been notified, and will name similar COM
mittee.
The death Of Senator Sewel will make
vacancies on five committees Of the Senate.
He is chairman Of the committee on en-
rolled bills and a member of the commit
tees on appropriations, immigration mill
tary affairs and territories His influence
on the committees with which he was con-
nected was very great. His knowledge of
military affairs, and especially of the mill
tia organizations of the country, made him
an authority on such matters. He was
member of the subcommittee Of the ap-
propriations committee, having charge Of
the District Of Columbia, army, Indian,
legislative, Military Academy and pensions
appropriation bills.
Prominent Figure in New jersey.
For many years Senator Sewell had been
the dominant figure in republican politics
Of New Jersey. He was recognized on all
sides as the republican leader, and to him
came all the minor politicians Of the state
as to court Of last resort for advice and
decision he was man OF ind0mitabie
energy. Two Of his most notable charac-
teristics were his absolute frankness and
his strong friendships.
His word was absolutely as good as his
bond in politics as well as In business. In
political affairs if he could not do a thing
he would say so outright. and If he could
do it would be prompt in promising and un-
erring in fulfillment. He firmly insisted at
all times on regularity in party affairs and
was strict disciplinarian.
During his service in Congress he was
hard worker. regular attendant upon the
sessions Of the Senate, and looked carefully
! every way. He took little part in Debates
but his influence was felt in other ways
and was by no means inconsiderable.
Senator Sewell was an Irishman by birth,
and came to the United States at an early
| age. His beginning in business pursuits
was humble enough, but at his death he
had attained great prominence In financial
| circles in his state. At the outset he was a
yard man on the West Jersey railroad
| Subsequently he became president of that
road member Of the board Of directors
| Of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and
an executive officer in many Of the Penn
sylvania allied lines. He was connected
with the management of number of
| banks, trust companies and philanthropic
! societies at the time Of his death, and was
the posSessor of fortune.
Fought in the Union Army.
When the civil war broke out he offered
his services to the Union, and was commits
| stoned as captain in the 9Th New Jersey
| Volunteers. His service was a distinguish
! ed one, and he was brevetted brigadier gen.
/ eral for distinguished services at Chancel-
| lorsville and major general for gallant SER
! vices during the war. He was wounded at
| Charlottesville and Gettysburg After the
| war. when he became Interested in railroad
| business he also took part In politics Be-
| tween 1872 and 1878 he served in the New
| Jersey state senate, and was president of
| that hOQv when his DartV in IN
! 1881 he was elected to the United States
Senate as the successor of Theodore F.
/ Randolph, and served until the close of his
term In 1887. He was again elected to the
United States Senate In 1905 to succeed
John r. Mcpherson. democrat, and was
reelected in 1891. If he had lived his term
would expire in 1897.
! At the outbreak of the war with Spain