Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-06-05
Passes Away From Al
tack Of Heart Trouble.
Long a Figure IN Congress-
Leader Of Senate Minority.


this city at 9.05 O'Clock Monday morn
ing. While Senator German had been
i'll for many months he had shown some
Improvement lately. Heart trouble
was the immediate cause of death.
I'D to the moment of death Senator
German was conscious. His condition
during the past week had improved so
much that yesterday the family had
hopes of shortly taking him to the
country. He partook of some nOurish-
ment at O'Clock this morning. but at
9 o'clock he was seized with heart at
tack and died in five minutes. Al tne
bedside were Mrs. German. Miss Ada
German, the senator's eldest daughter
and the nurse. When the attack came
physicians were sent for. but the sena-
tor was dead before they arrived.
Senator Germans Illness extended
over a period of five months. He had
not left his house since Jan. 10. he
suffered, in addition to his heart anec-
ton, with more or less stomach trouble.
Up to late last night, he was In the best
of spirits and chatted with various
members Of the family. As soon as he
passed away, word was sent to the
Senate. Senator German leaves a wild
ow and six children, as follows: Miss
Ada German, Mrs. Wilton j. Lambert.
Mrs. r. A. Johnson, Mrs. B. w. Hills,
all of this city: Mrs. Stephen Gabrill
of London, Eng, who arrived here
week ago, and Arthur Pue German. Jr.,
of Laurel, Nd. a member of the Mary
land Assembly.
Senator German long had been a not
able figure in the national Congress.
He first took his seat in 1881 and serv-
ed continuously for IS years and nearly
all OF that time he was the leader of
his party in the Senate. Winning
early a reputation for sagacity and the
keenest management in Congressional
affairs he attained prominence not only
as q leader in the Senate but in the
country at large and by many men was
considered the most available man in
his party for the. presidency. He was
chairman of the executive committee
and managed the campaign that result
ed in the election of Cleveland in 1884.
The most notable contest of his Con-
gressional career, and, one which at
tracted to him wider attention than
anything else, was when he led the
Senate minority in 1S9O-91 and defeated
the Federal Elections bill. To his sa-
gacious leadership and adroit manage
ment his party friends attributed the
defeat Of the measure which was SO OBJ
noxfous to the South.
When the Democrats had control Of
the Senate German was the recognized
leader Of that body. 1t was sat that
time that the tariff bill Of 1879, was pass
ed and although the Maryland senator
was not member of the finance COM
Inittee ne had SO much to do with
shaping that measure that his name is
often given to 1t and in fact, it is fire.
quently called the Wilson-Gorman tar
H.. H '.. H. .f MI,
Tt was during Cleveland's last admin
istration that break occurred between
the Democratic President and the lead
er Of the party in the Senate. In a
memorable speech Senator German Sc
verely arraigned the President. To this
opposition the defeat Of Senator Cor
man few years later Is attributed, al
though his party lost Maryland in the
silver campaign. AS soon as the DEM
Ocrats regained control Of the state
he was at once reelected to the Senate.
1t was a tribute to his leadership
tIitt us SOOII dS Tie was again IN the
Senate he was made leader Of the mi
nority and although the seniority rule
is strictly enforced, German was given
committee places equal to those he held
after long continued service.
Senator German was vigorously op-
posed to the acquisition of the Phil
1ppines and fought the ratification of
the Paris treaty with all the force he
possessed. r.,
Knowing that strong pressure was
being exerted on Democrats who were
standing with him he urged an early
vote while friends Of the treaty held
back until the necessary two-thirds OF
the senators were secured
Condcmning extravaganza in public
expenditures, Senator Germans pleas
Tor economy voiced the views of his
party that less money shoald be spent
for big ships and more for river and
harbor Improvements.
The announcement of Senator Cor
mans death brought forth many spon-
taneous eulogies, such as seldom are
given to any and especially to an in
tense partisan who had been leader of
4 great party. The expressive tributes
so unanimous in bespeaking the Iowa
bleness Of the man and silent concern
Ing the incidents Of political strife, best
evidenced the marked esteem In which
he was held. -,''5''
1t was assumed at first that a state
funeral would be held for him, but the
family did not wish public service at
the Capitol and therefore they win not
De held. Senator German in a written
request addressed to = Mrs German
asked that no state funeral should be
Ieri. ne said he did not wish his body
70 oe brought to the Capitol as he
M " me-, MS colleagues always, to think
active senator.
consu, '"nn KEN was once the British
to,, NJ GENERAL at ~Constantinon,e. The sni'