The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-07
''HOUSE HUMORIST"
CALLED BY DEATH
Representative Cushman OF
Washington Succumbs to
Pneumonia in New York
Rises From Cowboy to Com
gresham and Wins Votes
by Ready Wit

NEW YORK, July 6.-Francis w.
Cushman. representative in congress
from Tacoma. Wash, died at o'clock
this morning at Roosevelt hospital
from pneumonia At the bedside at
the time We're, besides the doctors and
nurses, United States Senator Samuel
H. Piles of Washington and Andrew
5. Burleigh of this city, lifelong
friend
Congressman Cushman underwent an
operation a short time ago and pneu-
monia resulted
Senator Piles and Burleigh, who had
been with the patient almost con-
stantly since his condition became
serious, said they would make ar
rangements for the sending of the body
to Washington.
Sergeant at Arms Casson of the
house and the Washington delegation
IN congress have telegraphed Mrs.
Cushman for an expression of her
wishes as to sending the body either
10 Cushman's home in Tacoma or to
his birthplace at Brighton, Iowa. and
as to arranging for a congressional
escort to the burial place. The house
will not be in session until Thursday,
when final action will be taken.
CALLED "HOUSE HUMORIST"
While Representative Cushman pos
sessed unchallenged the title of house
humorist," he was universally regarded
as far more than that. His high ability
was recognized by Speaker Cannon in
committee appointments, particularly
in hi cn1A
the ways and means committee at
time when a great tariff bill was TO be
reported to the house for consideration.
one striking thing about Represent
atlve Cushman was that he never dis
played his gift of humor to the house
for it's amusement, but always with
view of impressing his view more
forcibly upon that body. In contrast
with humorists who have passed into
history his fame does not rest on a
single speech. His maiden effort in
the house attracted so much attention
to him that ever thereafter he gained
a hearing as soon as he arose. His
style of expression and his homeiy APP
pearance had quite as much to do with
the effect as humorous remarks.
One of his first speeches to attract
attention touched on the effects of the
panic of 1898.
In describing the impoverished con-
dition to which his constituents were
reduced he said they were forced to
live on CLANS washed ashore by the
incoming tide. Their stomachs," he
concluded. rose and fell with the ris-
ing and falling of the tide"
He Will probably be long remem-
bered by reason of the effectiveness
of his humor in the debates on the
Payne tariff bill in the house. His
speech in defense of retaining the duty
on lumber secured several additional
votes on the schedule. Cushman's ac-
quiescing to rule for vote on the
Payne bill, with reduced rates on lum-
Der. assured it's passage. In describing
to the house his feelings he likened
them to a cowpuncher in Wyoming,
whose ability to raise 1000 cattle in
one summer with one cow as a starter
caused a rope to be placed around his
neck by a vigilance committee.
They asked Bill what he had to
say" explained Cushman. "Old Bill
rolled his quid into the other cheek
and said: Well, gentlemen, / suppose
got more interest in this perform
ance than any other gent present, but
1 am the least enthusiastic over the
program
LOOKED LIKE LINCOLN
The Washington congressman was
said to have looked more like Lincoln
than any other public man of recent
years. In summing up his career once
he said he had been a waterboy. sec
ton hand, cowboy, school teacher,
lawyer and congressman. He was in
congress for more than 10 years.
Cushmans body, wrapped in an
American flag, will be put aboard the
Chicago limited of the Pennsylvania
RAILROAD tomorrow and taken to Ia
coma, in charge of Frederick NJ. Weber,
deputy sergeant at arms of the house.
The congressional delegation of six
members which will escort the body
will board the train at Pittsburg.
Cannon Sends Sympathy
TACOMA. July 6.-Among the many
kilograms of coincidence received to-
day by Mrs. Il. w. Cushman was the
following from Speaker Cannon:
please accept my sympathy. Your
husband leaves a record of which you
may be justly proud. AS one of his
admirers and friends / sorrow with
you. j. G. CANNON"
To Choose Successor
SEATTLE. July 6.-Upon learning of
Representative Cushman's death Gov
ernor M. i. Hay left for Olympia at
once to confer with second district
party leaders as to the calling of a
special election to choose Cushman's
successor.