Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-04


eral of immigration Of the Department
of Commerce and Labor, died in his
apartments in the Manor House at s
o'clock this morning. Brights disease
was the cause of death. His immediate
relatives were at the bedside when the
end came.
The funeral will be held Sunday after
noon at 3 o'clock in the chapel of Lees
undertaking establishment. at 49, Penn
sylvania avenue, with Rev. Charles Hol-
mead, assistan: rector of st. Pauls
Church, in charge. In accordance with
Mr. Sargent's expressed wish, the body
will be cremated.
The commissioner general had been i'll
of stomach trouble since the middle Of
July, and while on a vacation visit to
his family at Shepherdstown, w. Va he
suffered slight stroke of paralysis. After
short time he was 50 improved that he
returned to this city. His health had
been bad ever since, however. and most
OF the time he was confined to his bed.
The attending physician held out hopes
for his recovery, and it was thought by
those watching at his bedside that he was
improving.
Family Is Summoned.
Two days ago, however, Brights dis
ease Of the kidneys developed and the pa
tient sank rapidly. His sister, Mrs. B. I.
Wagner of Philadelphia, was summoned
to this city. Last evening the physicians
gave up all hope of Mr.. Sargent's recov-
cry and the members of his family were
called to his bedside. The vigil lasted
throughout the night, the patient at times
recognizing those about him. AT the bed
side were his wife, his daughter, Mabel
E., and his sister, Mrs. Wagner.
Stratus Much Affected.
Secretary of Commerce and Labor
Straus, in whose department the former
labor leader was one of the chief lieuten-
ants. was much affected by the news of
Mr.. Sargent's death, and directed that a
suitable statement regarding the services
of the late commissioner general be pre-
pared.
F. II. I.arned assistant commissioner
general of immigration. who has been In
charge of the bureau since the inception
of Mr. Sargent's illness, will continue as
acting commissioner general until some
permanent action is taken to fill the office
MIR. Larned has been in the service for ii
long time and has become thoroughly
familiar with the details of the immigra-
ton service Of the department.
Long the F;remen's Chief.
Mr.. Sargent was fifty-four years OF
age. He was born in Orange, Vt
For seventeen years. from 1885 to 1902,
he was chief of the Brotherhood Of Loco
motive Firemen and Enginemen. In 1895
President Mckinley named him as a men,
Der Of the industrial commission, but he
declined the position. He also declined
appointment as chief of the bureau of
engraving and printing. He had been
commissioner general of immigration
since 1902.
He was n member of the Tucson, Ariz.,
lodge OF Locomotive Firemen and Engine
men, and in 1885 was a delegate from
that lodge to the national convention of
the organization at Philadelphia, and
was elected grand chief He served in
that capacity until June 1902, when he
was appointed commissioner general OF
immigration by President Roosevelt. He
served four years and was reappointed.
Mr.. Sargent was member of the civic
federation and an official of that associa-
ton until he resigned TO become a gov
eminent official. He was thirty-second
degree Mason and a Shriner. He also
was a member of the Creve-Coeur Club of
Peoria, ILL.,. and of the Fifty Club OF
Philadelphia.
Powderly's Tribute.
Terrence v. Powderly. formerly commits
sioner general of immigration, and now
an official Of that bureau who was an in
innate friend of Sargent from boyhood,
said this afternoon that during Mr. Sar-
gents incumbency as grand master of tho
Brotherhood Of Locomotive Firemen he
Justly earned the reputation of being one
of the most conservative and painstaking
leaders workingmen ever had.
He had the entire to the Office OF every
President of the United States during his
time said Mr.. Powderly, "for they knew
he was straight. During his long career
there has not been even Il whisper ag inst
him. He was one of the most kind
hearted men that ever lived
He last fired a locomotive In 1884 on
the Southern Pacific rail cad and was one
OF the pioneer railroad men in the west,
as we'll as In the brotherhood
Didn't Believe in Strikes
Had he lived Mr.. Sargent would have
been elected grand master of the Locomo-
tive Firemen and Engineers at their ma
tional convention, to be held within a few
weeks. At the time of his first election
as. grand master his broth n railroad men
result OF his extreme conservatism in tn,
| labor movement. He did not believe in
strikes. holding that all controversies
tween labor and capital should be settled
| peaceably by arbitration.
| When at the head OF his order he pre.
vented number OF threatened railroad
! strikes
Mr.. Sargent was tall. q heavyweight.
physically. and of commanding appear
ance; plain In manner and straightfor-
| ward in speech.
| He Was as popular among the employees
! OF the Department Of Commerce and La