Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-06-12
DEATH or SENATOR MORGAN.

United States Senator John L. Nor
gan, of Alabama, died last night at lis
O'Clock at bis home 9l5 John Marshal
place, Washington. Angina pectoris
was the immediate cause of his death.
For the last ten days the venerable
statesman had been critically i'll, and his
death was not unexpected. A great part
Of Senator Morgan's life had been mark
ed by i'll death. he was seizsd with an
attack of scarlet fever when young man
and he was practically left without health
for the remainder of his life. No plans
have been for the funeral services, which
will be held probably in Washington.
After the ceremonies there the remains
will be forwarded to Selma, Ala, Sen
ator Morgan's home, for burial. Con-
ressional committees will be appoint
ed to atterd the funeral.
Had Senator Morgan lived until June
30 he would have been eighty-lhree years
old. Ga March next, had he lived,
he would have rounded out thirty-One
years continuous service in Congress.
He was one of the three Senators of longest
service, the other two being Senators Hale
and Allison, and was one of the three
oldest members in point of years, tie
other two being Senators Petius, his aged
colleague, and Senator Whyte.
Senator Morgan was born at Athens
Tenr., June 20, 1924. When nine years
old his family moved to Alabama, where
he received his academic education. He
was trained for the Presbyterian min
istry, but subsequently studied Law and
was admitted to the bar of Alabama in
1S45. Except for the years of the civil
war. when he saw varied and extensive
service in the Conf derate army, rising
to the rank of brigadier general, he prac-
ticed law until he was elected Senator
in 1877.
His career as a senator forms an in
teresting chapter of American history.
Senator Morgan has been called the
father of the interoceanic canal project.
From the first he favored the Nicaraguan
route, and while chairman OF the inter-
oceanic canal committee his opposition
to the Panama project as advocated by
the President was 30 pronounced that be
was finally relieved of the craftsmanship
of that committee.
by the custom prevailing in Alabama,
where the legislature meets only once in
four years, the election of senators is
practically by popular vote, and Senator
Morgan and his colleague, Senator Pet
tus were reelected in this manner last
fall. Realizing that either senator,
both of whom were m)re than eighty
years of age, might die before the mex:
legislature meeY, Congressman Bank
head, of Alabama, was chosen as success
sor in the case of such a vacancy occur
ring. The governor of Alabma will be
called upon, therefore, to appoint former
Congressman Bankhesd to succeed Sens-
tor Morgan at the next session. Mr..
Bankhead, it was remembered, was de-
feated for reelection TO Congress by
Capt. Hobs0n.
Vice President Fairbanks, who is in
d laware, o, today telephoned TO the
Sergeant-at-arms of the Senate the
namfs of the Senators 10 attend the
funeral of Senator Morgan. A commit
lee of Representatives will also accom-
pany the remaius. The funeral services
will be held in Selma on Saturday and
the train will leave Washington for
Alabama tomorrow evening.
With Senator Morgan's death the last
of the southern brigsdiers' Of the
Senate passes away.