The Washington herald., 1909-04-28

Funeral services for Joseph Weeks Bah
cock. former Representative in Congress
rom Wisconsin. who died yesterday, VIII
held et his residence Friday afternoon
II 2 o'clock
Attended by his former associates in the
iouse of Representatives, the body VIII
borne 70 Lees crematOrium.
Rev. Henry y. Couden, D. D, Chap
ain OF the House OF Representatives, will
any the funeral cOrtege 10 the undertak-
.2g establishment
Afr- Babcock had been III for months
ID had been confined to his bed with
implication OF diseases for several
eeks. Recently his physicians had hope
- recovery, but he took q sudden turn
luday and began 10 sink rapidly.
With him when he died, at o'clock
aSterGay morning. were all the members
his family except his wife. who Is suf-
ering from a nervous breakdown and is
III confined to her room
Friend of National Capital.
Regarded as an active champion OF
9 National Capital and distinguished
his ardent support Of measures hav-
2 for their object the frtherance Of
= city beautiful. Mr.. Babccck had won
wide acquaintance in Washington.
As chairman Of the Republican Con-
esSional committee. he had earned the
.stincti0n Of being one Of the shrewdest
niliticians at the Capitol, incidentally
hieving the election OF a number of
epubhCan Congresses.
Those who VIII serve as honorary nall
carers at the funeral are Vice President
ierman, Representative John A 7 Hull
Iowa W A Jones. former Commis-
oner OF Indian Affairs; former Repre-
'ntalivs James T. Watson. OF Indiana,
'rner Representative Alexander Stewart
Wisconsin; George c. Hazleton. How
d {. Reeside, and Henry CassOn. Ser
aant-st-arms Of the House Of Repre-
entstives.
The active pallbeareTs viii be r. J.
ones. y. D Parham. 2. A Gunther
gorge Fuller, J. J. Kuheling, and Benia-
hin Webster. all from Wisconsin.
In Close Touch with District.
Serving for six terms as chairman OF
lie House Committee on the District o.
,olumbis. SIr. Babcock was brought init
7ately in touch with the movements for
.e Improvements Of the National Cant
al He manifested a deep interest IN al
ubjects pertaining 10 municipal improve
rent and worked diligently for the pas
age OF bills before his board
Among the projects that obtained his
~
Z grade crossings and the erection OF
1e Union Station. Em!nenty a hard
JrkeT, he had the knacE OF smoothing
ae way in the House for his measures
Then they came UP, and District Day
vas always prolific OF results.
Although not en orator IN the accepted
ernl. he made heart-to-heart speeches ex-
iaining in a practical way the necessity
OF the passage OF bill which he deemed
racucal for the progress OF Washington.
His defeat for reelection 10 the Sixtieth
,ongrsss by the opposition OF the La FOL
.atte faction IN Wisconsin caused gen
raj regret among the Republicans who
-acogniZed his services as q successful
-ampaign manager
Born in Vermont
Joseph Weeks Babcock was born March
. 1851. at Swanton, Vt His parents were
zbenezer Wright and Mahala Weeks Bah
0ck. His father was a farmer and man.
-:factUTer, who moved 70 Butler County.
-owa- while the son was a mere boy, and
1uilt Up an extensive lumber business
throughout the State.
Mr. Babcock traced his paternaI ances-
~ back to the Pilgrims, and on his
mothers side he was q descendant OF
Joseph Weeks, who was a member OF
Congress from Vermont IN 1896.
After completing a public school edu-
cation. he entered the preparatory de-
partment Of Cornell College at Mount
Vernon, Iowa, but as he was impatient
70 earn his Own livelihood he left school
early and entered the employ OF his
father and several other firms IN tbe
lumber business.
In Is7S he bought an interest IN a Iun7-
Der company for which ne had worked
and three years later. when the company
was incorporated. Nj Babcock became
its secretary and active manager. As
manager Of this company he was brought
into direct contact with many hundred
Workingmen. and his tactful handling
Of them prevented the company ever be-
coming involved in a labor dispute.
Active in Politics.
In 1855 he moved to Necedah. Wis.
where he at once took an active part IN
the political affairs OF his community
allying himself with the Republican
party.
Within two years he was elected
member Of the Wisconsin assembly. He
was reelected for the next term. and al
its expiration In 1ss2 was chosen 70 repre-
sent his district in Congress.
SIr- BabcOck's record in Congress was
brilliant After he had served in the
House Of Representatives for one term.
he was elected chairman Of the Republi-
can National Congressional Committee
and conducted the difficult campaign Of
!S94. He was reelected 70 this important