The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1910-08-26
EX-SENATOR CALL
DIES OF APOPLExY
Was Once a Political Power in
Florida. and Widely Known.

Former United States Senator Wilkin
son Call of Florida died at his home in
Washington, D. c., last "Wednesday
morning from apoplcxy.
He was stricken with cerebral hemorr
hage last Saturday and had been uncon
SciouS since that time, gradually sinking.
Senator Call served his state in the ma.
tional senate for eighteen years.
In the death of Senator Call Florida
loses another of the forceful men of her
earlier days who was held in high es-
teen by people grateful TO him for his
efforts at overthrowing the obnoxious
regime OF reconstruction times
'For many years." says the Jackson
vile Metropolis, che was the greatest
power in Florida politics, but gradually
his power waned, and for several years
past his influence has amounted to
naught. Years ago, when in his prime,
Senator Call was hailed as a conquercr,
but for almost decade his former ad,
herentS have fallen from his standard,
and the aged man, who was once fawncd
upon by men of all classes, has heen
neglected on his recent visits TO the city.
In treating of his official life the Pen
Sacola Journal says
For the past decade former Senator
Call has lived in comparative obScurity,
having left political life after the memo
rablc contest in the Florida Legislature
for senator when Mr.. Call was candi-
date to succeed himself and was opposed
by William Dudley Chiplcy. This was
during the spring of 1897 and dead
lock enSued which was broken by the
election of the late Senator Mallory.
''Mr Call was elected TO the senate
soon after the civil war but was not per
mitted to take his scat. After the term
of office of Simon B. Conover expired,
Mr. Call was again elected TO the senate
and was twice reelected. He served
Florida during the darkest days of her
history and, in many respects, served
her well. No one perhaps had more
influence in oyerthrowing the disgrace
full carpet bag regime in this state than
had Wilkinson Call and for these acts
the people in this state hold him in
grateful memory"
County Judge NJ. r. Cooper of St.
Augustine, speaking in the ST. Angus
tine Record of the debt of gratitude due
him from the people of the south, said:
'He was a man 10 whom not only
Florida but the entire south owes much.
He was close to the people and cspe
cially in the earlier years of his term
was he able 10 prove their champion.
He and Senator Daniel of Virginia, who
died a short time ago, were the two
heroes who fought nobly side by side 10
kill the Infamous force bill, the passage
of which would have meant the control
of every Southern ballot box by the fed
eral government
"Senator German of Maryland, who
back there in the '7Os, was the Demo
cratic leader on the floor of the Senate,
told me that Florida owed an everlasting
debt TO Senator Call. He told me that
the senator was mainly responsible for
the killing of the "forcc" bill. Senator
German was loud in his praise OF him.
In my opinion that fight alone should
establish him in the hearts of those op-
posed TO such a bill When the Demo
Gratis seemed in hopeless minority and
all plans to defeat the measure seemed
futile Senator Call came TO the rescue
and helped talk it to death, thus saving
the south from degradation. Whenever
n Democratic senator was through he
would take the floor and talk continu
ously against the bill until another
could take his place.
"Florida loses a man who was one OF
her greatest in those days. And there
are few in whose minds the scenes OF
reconstruction times arc still vivid but
who will regret TO learn OF his passing