The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1908-02-28
GRIM REAPER
GRIPS LATIMER
80.
South Carolina Senator Passes
Away in Washington Hospital.
OPERATION WAS FATAL
ALOng Career in Pubic Life Ended Abruptly.
J Served Five Terms in House and Had !.
Been in the Senate Since 1908.


----
Senator Asbury G. Latimer of South
Carolina died at Providence hospital,
Washington, at 9:15 a. m. Thursday, of
peritonitis. He'had been at the hospi-
tai since Sunday, when he underwent
an operation for appendicitis. 1t was
then discovered that he was suffering
with q far more serious ailment The
bowels had become twisted, and his
condition was found to be such that
surgeons held out little hope for9 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 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 to9romote the national move
/ ment for government building of good
roads than any other member of con-
gress. He was the author of the Lati-
ner 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
five terms in the house.
There was no official service in Wash
ington. The funeral party left the
capital at o'clock Thursday night for
Bolton, s. c.
AS 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
senators 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 a committee OF 10
representatives TO attend the funeral :;
and, as a further mark of respect the
house at 1:12 p. m. adjourned
The immigration commission, Of
which Mr.. Latimer was a member,
adopted resolutions, of regret for his
death, saying:
| Ellis 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 mem
Der OF the commission and of the en-.
ergy and ability which he brought to
the performance of this important pub
lie duty. To the family of Senator Lat
inner the commission offers its deepest
sympathy in the heavy affiction which
has come upon them"