New-York tribune., 1903-02-06
OBITUARY..
EX-SENATOR HENRY L. DAWES.

Fit.saeld Mass, Feb. Henry L. Dswes. for
sosny years United States Senator from Massa-
rflise5ts died here early to-day. He was eighty
six years old. Mr. Dawes had been i'll since Christ
mss night. when he contracted severe cold while
driving The cold developed into the grip. which
undermined his system, already weakened by the
weight Of years. Since last Sunday night he had
been unconscious. the physicians recognizing from
the first that death inevitable.
Two OF the former Senator's three CHILDREN are
lawyers Harry / Dawes IS a member of legal
firm here while Chester NJ is attorney for the Chi
osgo Burlington and Quincy Railroad in Chicago
Miss Anna Dawes. his daughter was well known IN
Washington during her fathers residence at the
capital She was identified with Indian affairs In
the Senator's term Of Office chairman Of The
Indian Commission. When President Roosevelt
visited Pttsfeld last fall he called upon the Eet
Gran statesman. IL while returning from ohe
visit 10 the Dawes house that the serious trolley
accident occurred in which the President figured
The funeral will be held on Sunday afternoon
the First Congregational Church
Henry Laurens Dawes was born at Cunmington.
Mass, October 80 1876 the son OF Mitchell Dawes
= farmer. He entered Yale College, and was grad
,lszc6 III the class Of SO. Afterward he iaushI
choo. for some time and then wrote editorials for
The Greenfield CMassl Gazette. and later TOT
Tho Adams niassD Transcript In the mean
time he studied ls1- and in s42 he was admitted 10
The bar practising in North Adams. Mass
= IA
house Of the Massachusetts, legislature, and was
elected 10 the State Senate in lSso In 1855 he be
came a rnernher Of the State constitutional con
xentson From 1884 1851 he was District Attorney
for the feur counties in Western Massachusetts
In 1857 he was elected TO Congress from the Pitts
;lel6 NJassD district beginning the service IN the
national legislature which ended thirtE-sN years
afte-rard by his voluntary retirement Al each
subsequent election he returned from his dis
trict until 1875 when he was elected 10 the Cmled
no tn ed Charles
In Congress Mr. Dawes hard worker
While not gifted with brilliant powers of oratory
he had strong party feeling ardenty supporting
his psrty's measures. working early and late in
their interests. He powerful advocate OF
economy. earning by his efforts the title Of
Watchdog of the Treasury.
In the House before the war. he had much to do
with snti-slavery legislation. He also. before
and after the war. chairman of the committees on
Elections. Ways and Means and on AppropIla-
lions He SERVED on many committees, introduced
many bills and took leading part in much i'm
portant lawmaking. especially tariff questions.
In 1858 he instrumental in fixing the duties or
wool and woollen goods He founded the system
Of daily weather reports, established the Fish Com
mission and helped toward the completion of the
Washington Monument.
Afr Dawes was a candidate FOR Speaker of tho
House at the time that James 9. Blaine was first
elected 70 that office. AR Dawes once told the
following story Of why he Withdrew and placed
Blaines narne In nomination: 4 candidate
FOR Speaker Of the House, and day Butler who
4 leader of the Southern Repubicans-there
were several black men and good many carpet
hasEers perhaps thirty in all-camc to me and said
that he could not vote for ne; that he would be
glad o do l. would like to hut not for his
interest DO il Then I heard from others that
Blaine had been UP Lowell, and pointed out this
condition things The chairman Of the Commit
Appropriations had gone Out Of Congress
Blaine next and Butler next TO him When But
der said that he would not support me i said Why
not? and he said IF YOU are elected sou wall have
appoint Blaine chairman Of Appropriations II
Blaine is elected shall be chairman Of that com
HIitee. The next day I called Mr.. Blaine out. and
said: Blaine. have made up nay mind not TO DC a
candidate for Speaker. and I thought it due
g friendly relations 10 tell you first The
consequence vas that went into the caucus and
myself nominated Mr. Blaine in little speech. and
nc WAS selected without q ballot Then instead Of
Butler getting The Craftsmanship of Appropriations.
Elaine put in that place.
1893 Dawes became chairman Of the
Indian Commission the Five Civilized Tribes,
spending much time in Investigating Indian affairs
d1 ding their lands, supplying them with schools
WORT Of what has 10 be called the Dawes
Commission larEel, directed by him, and the
final admission of The Indians 70 citizenship viii
be the maiu. due his efforts The degree OF
IL. - zsS conferred him by Williams College
IN SEQ and by Yale lSSa