The Washington herald., 1908-02-21

the Senate chamber and wondered who
was to be taken next. you would never
] have selected L8timer."
shock To senator Carter.
Senator Carter. Of Montana. was deeply
affected by the death OF Senator Latimcr.
His sudden and unexpected DEATH" he
said. was a great shock 20 me. Reared
on a farm, having devoted much Of his
| life 10 outdoor employment, and pos
sessing a splendid physique. he seemed
| 10 enjoy superb health I do not know
of a Senator TO whom appearance gave
promise Of a longer lease of iife than
| seemed In store for Senator Latimer
His genial personality and kindly dis
position endeared him 10 all his asso-
ciates. regardless OF locality or party
Affiliations. He viii be greatly missed
and long remembered"
senator Lntimer's Career.
Born near Lowndesville. Abbeville Coun-
ty, 5. c.. Senator Latimer was brought
up on his fathers farm. and much of his
life was spent as an agriculturist He
was educated in the common schools
Of the period, and was preparing TO enter
college when the war swept away his
fathers wealth. and he was forced TO 60
to work instead
Circumstances forced his first partici-
patton in politics, when every patriotic
son Of the State put his shoulder 20 the
wheel in the memorable campaign OF
1876 10 get rid of the carpet-bagger gov
ernment OF the sO-called reconstruction
period Young Latimer did much of the
yeomen work Of that campaign, which
resulted in the election of Gen. Wade
Hampton as governor. and forever threw
out the carpet-bagger regime.
Mr.. Latimer did not stay in the pO-
litical arena when the fight was won
but returned 20 his farm and again took
up the business Of agriculture. Four
years later he removed to Belton, a town
OF about l,o00 inhabitants. where he had
since made his home His plantation IS
one of the best in the State. and his
business ability made agriculture a pay
ing venture with him. Ten years after
his removal 70 Belton Mr.. Latimer was
elected Democratic county chairman for
Anderson County, in which that town
is located, and was reelected two years
later He did good work for the party
in this position, and in 1892 he was urged
by his friends TO become a candidate for
lieutenant governor. but declined.
Begins Congressional Service.
The same year. however. he became n
candidate for Congress, and was elected
to the Fifty-third Congress and success
s!vely reelected every two years until
1892 when he became a candidate for the
seat In the Senate vacated by Senator
McLaurin. and was elected by l7.700 votes
over his opponent He entered the Senate
l.
would have expired on March 3. 1903 He
was a candidate for reelection. and, II
is said. would have been returned to
the Senate without opposition.
Senator Latimer married Miss Sarah
Alice Brown, Of South Carolina daughter
OF the war governor OF that State, who
is also an ex-senator. Mrs Latimer and
the I'VE children who are mentioned above
survive the Senator.
There is much speculation as to what
will be the result Of Senator Latimer's
death at this time, as IT affects the nam
ing Of his successor. The Revised Statutes
Of the United States provide that the
successor to a deceased Senator must be
selected by the State legislature on the
second Tuesday after organization, pro-
vided the death of the incumbent has
been made known 90 the body. The legis-
sion. but Will adjourn for the term to-
morrow.
Governor Cannot Appoint.
AS the State assembly is in session,
it is said that the Senate could not recog-
nize an appointment made by the gov
ernor, in the event that the legislature
should fail to elect one. The language
of the statute would seem TO make IL
impossible for an election to be had until
next Tuesday, when the session viii have
ended.
1t is stated that there are already a
number of candidates clamoring for the
seat, and even If the legislature can legal
~ elect a successor to Senator Latimer
before adjOUrning tomorrow night il is
doubtful that it will be able 10 agree
on a candidate in the short time at its
disposal.
Senator Tillman took the precaution
Of te-egraphing to the governor yester-
day the news Of Senator Latimer's death.
and Vice President Fairbanks also teIe-
graphed to the proper State authorities,
notifying them Of the existence Of the
vacancy.