New-York tribune., 1909-06-29

of grip contracted during the session OF the Legs-
lature Harrisburg last winter.
Death almost Immediately after he hAd
luncheon. He seated at the table with
his sister. Mrs Philip H Johnson. who has been
his devoted attendant As he arose he pitched for-
ward and fell into his sisters arms He was un-
conscious. and a physician who was hastily sum
moned said that death had ensued almost imrnedi-
ately heart disease being the probable cause
Senator Durham became III about Ave years ago
and his disease bafHed the skin Of physicians. In
effort regain his health he made several trips
10 Europe but he never reganed the rugged con
dition of his early life and became a semi-invahd-
He was the undisputed head OF the Republican or
ganization in this city from 1895 10 1905. but he
gradually relinqushed the reins of leadership his
friend and business associate. James P. McNichol
becoming his successor.
IL" Durham, as he was Familiarity known. was
ffty-three years old He learned the trade OF
bricklayer and served in politics division worker
then ward leader and next city leader. He vas
a follower Of the late Senator Quay United States
Senator Boies Penrose was friend and neighbor
Mr.. Durham and Acknowledges his debt OF graf
itude to the who fought many political battles
in his interest
In the days when Durham was absolute political
chieftain of Philadelphia the city government was
lodged on the eleventh floor Of the Betz Building
where he had his office. To that office went city
officials TO learn the policies that should govern
their offices and receive orders for the'r day
work Politicians went there seeking pal. onage'
contractors asking lucrative city contracts The
leader listened to ali with mmovable patience
He never altered a decision. He never lied Never
was there political boss more popular with his
retainers or ruthless in his political methods
In 1896 Durham, who was a city magistrate and
Yard leader led revolt against the dominant
Republican leader. David Martin. and succeeded
in electing Alexander Grow, independent Re
publican Sheriff the late Samuel II Ash
bridge the regular Republican nominee. This
made Durham the undtsputed leader OF his party
IN the city.
Tho climax and end Of his career came with the
spectacular revolt Of Mayor Weaver four years ago
II was Mavor Weaver who gave "IZ' Durham the
title OF The Peerless Leader" and it was Mayor
Weaver who turned up the first clod OF his political
grave
on May IS 1905. the ordinance extending the
lea Of the gas works pushed through the
Councils without giving Mayor Weaver q hearing.
Then the Mayor dismissed the director of public
safety and the director of public works. and called
on the people Philadelphia back him up.
That fall the election went against the machine.
and IL" Durham soon found himself largely shorn
Of his power Then came legislative Investigations
and suits TO recover the city's money
Durharn's health had begun fail and he turned
over TO McNcho the fight against the reform ele-
rent For a time the latter top, but the
election of John F. Reyburn as Mayor To succeed
Mr. Weaver again placed the regulars in command
II remains To be what effect the death OF
Durham will have upon the political situation
IN philadelphia The Republican organization un-
doubtedly has on its hands what some or the party
leaders admit is the fight Of its life. AT the
recent primaries decide a Republican candl-
date for District Attorney 10 succeed Samuel r
Ro+an a shock was administered TO the oTganiza-
ton leaders when it found that In total
Republican vote of 11S $40 Rotan defeated D. Clar-
ence Cibboney. a reformer who had been forced
NJ, the ticket by only little more than hve thou
sand votes The leaders blame the agitation over
the discontinuance OF six tickets for % cents by
tho local street railway monopoly the black
administered 10 their candidate al the polls In an
address TO the ward leaders last week senator
Nc cNichol warned his hearers that unless the ctl-
zens were placated there was danger OF deleaI LOT
the organization in November. The acuteness or
the situation has been accentuated by the death
of Mr. Durham.
Senator Durham bachelor ne le'I'es
two brothers John Wesley Durham a member OF
the Board of Tax Revision of this city ana
Thomas F. Durham and two sisters Two
nephews Lieutenant William Norris ana Ensign
Albert Durham Norris. in the United states
navy Thomas F. Durham had acted as the
Senator's private secretary since the tragic death
of Captain j. Clayton Erb who had served as secte-
tarv and confidential man from the time MT Dur
ham became prominent in politics. captain ED
xvas shot and killed at Red Gables. near here'
last October in a quarrel with his wife ana her