Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-09-30
MORRISON IS DEAD
Pioneer of Illinois and for Years
Democratic Leader, Passes
to Reward.
SERVED LONG IN CONGRESS
Author of Horizontal Tariff Bill
Barely Missed Senate and Was
Mentioned for Presidency.

Waterloo, Ill, Sept. 30.-Colonel
William r. Morrison, pioneer of
Illinois and for year, Il leader in the
democratic party, died Ut his home
here last night after a 70 days ILL
ness. Colonel Morrison, who was for
many years member of congress
and author of the horizontal tariff
bill" had recently celebrated his
seth birthday. The occasion was OBJ
served by large gathering of friends
and influential politicians.
He served for some years on the
interstate commerce commission hav-
ing been appointed by President
Cleveland. and frequently was men
toned for senatorial honors. He had
been in comparatively good health
up TO TWO weeks ago. Despite his
advanced age he was active and his
mind was alert. His eyesight was his
only failing faculty.
Last Words to wife.
AT his bedside when death came
was Mrs. Morrison. Colonel Morri-
son was conscious almost until the
last and his last words were call
of endearment to his wife.
Colonel Morrison for many years
vas one of the foremost men in
American politics and was doubly in
teresting because of his prominence
in congress and MS remarkable per-
sonal character. which seemed to inn
press with its energy and his honesty
everybody with whom he came into
contact.
He was chairman of the commit
reported the famous horizontal tariff
bill. He was a member and was
eventually the chairman of the in
terstate commerce commission. He
was candidate in 1885 for the
United States senate in the great leg
islative battle at Springfield, out of
which John \. Logan emerged with
the toga on his shoulders. He was
the man who said at that time that
he wouldn't shake the hand of a
thief to be elected to any Office in the
gift of human power He fought
bravely in the civil war. He favored
bimetallism in 1896, and in 1901
he was granted soldiers pension
by the United States. He served
nine terms in congress.
Colonel Morrison was several times
mentioned for the presidency, espec-
tally while he was a member of con-
gress. He never liked Blackburn of
Kentucky. who on one of these &C.
casions said if Colonel Morrison were
elected president there would be
more gruf manners and honesty in
the White house than ever before.
Now the famous lllinOiSan was the
pink of politeness, and, although he
felt fiattered by part of MIR. Black
burns remark. he felt offended by
the remainder OF it.
The deceased was not only n demo-
crat practically so-called, but was q
democrat socially so-called. He lived
in the simplest imaginable style. He
detested the finerieS of dress. the
agonies of the dinner table and the
eXtravaganceS of convention. 1t was
not necessary to send cards or names
in order to see him during his Of
fetal residence in Washington or at
any other time. He liked simplicity.
In February, 1896, Mr.. Morrison
was conspicuously mentioned as
presidential possibility, but, although
this was the last time his name was
used in this way, his dream of presi-
Dental honors had been long and
vivid one. .r.uF So