Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1908-02-28
GRIM REAPER
GRIPS SLATIMER
South Carolina Senator Passes
Away in Washington Hospital.
OPERATION WAS FATAL
Long Career in Public Life Ended Abruptly.
Served Five Terms in House and Had
Been In the Senate Since 1908.

Senator Asbury C. Latimer of South
Carolina died at Providence hospital,
Washington, at 9:15 a. m. Thursday, OF
peritonitis. He had been at the hospf-
tai since Sunday, when he underwent
an operation for appendicitis. 1t was
then discovered that he was suffering
with far more serious ailment. The
bowels had become twisted, and his
condition was found to be such that
surgeons held out little hope for his
recovery. He rallied, however, and
his progress was satisfactory until Z
o'clock Wednesday evening, when he
steadily began to grow worse.
Mr.. Latimer was 81 years OF age.
He was one of the most earnest and
conscientious committee workers in
congress, being a member of the COM
mittee on agriculture, immigration,
manufactures, public buildings and
grounds and census, as well as others
Of less Importance. He was especially
interested in good roads, and probably
did more to promote the national move
ment for government building of good
roads than any other member of con-
gress. He was the author of the Lati-
mer good roads bill. As a member Of
the manufactures committee he gave
much attention to the preparation Of
the pure food law, and also played a
prominenut part In drafting the pend
ing copyright bill. During last summer
he visited Europe as member of the
immigration commission, and was pre-
pairing an elaborate report concerning
immigration conditions in the countries
assigned to him. Mr.. Latimer had been
a senator since 1903, and had served
Eve terms in the house.
There was no official service in Wash
ington. The funeral party left the
capital at s o'clock Thursday night for
Bolton, s. c.
As a mark of respect to the late
senator, there was an unusual attend
ance in the senate when the vice pres
ident sounded the gavel and Rev. Ed
ward Everett Hale, chaplain, opened
the proceedings with prayer, In which
he referred with much feeling to the
bereavement that had come to the
country in the death of member who
only few days ago had been ON the
floor OF the senate.
Upon the conclusion Of the reading OF
the journal, Senator Tillman arose to
announce the death of his colleague,
and offered a resolution declaring the
senate's regret, which was adopted.
An additional resolution authorized
the appointment Of committee OF ten
senator's to arrange for and attend the
funeral. The senate then, at 1920
O'Clock, as a further mark OF respect,
adjourned until Friday. In the house
Mr.. Finley of South Carolina feelingly
referred to the death of Senator Lati
mer. He offered resolutions of regret
which were unanimously adopted. The
speaker announced committee Of Is
representatives to attend the funeral ;
and, as further mark of respect the
house at 1:12 p. m. adjourned.
The immigration commission, ol
which Mr.. Latimer was a member
adopted resolutions of regret for hi:
death, saying: .
His associates upon the immigration
commission desire to express not only
their sorrow at Senator Latimer's un
timely death. but also their recogni
ton of his jealous service as a mem
ber of the commission and of the en-
ergy and ability which he brought Il
the performance OF this important pub
lie duty. To the family of Senator Lat
inner the commission offers its deepes
! sympathy in the heavy affliction which
has come upon them"