The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-14
Georgia Statesman Suddenly Dies While Talking
 to His Son
TAD BEEN IN ILL HEALTH
 FOR SEVERAL YEARS
Senator Clay Was Country Boy Who Had Worked Himself Up to High Position-senate Committee
 Will Attend Funeral

Atlanta November 13.-United States Senator Alexander Stephens Clay or Georgia died at the Robertson sani- tarium heIe this afternoon at o'clock sfter an extended illness. His death was as peaceful as it was sudden. lie lad been talking with his son, Herbert few minutes when he suddenly ceased speaking fell back with slight gasp, dying instantly.
 During the morning and afternoon the senator appeared in better spirits than usual the attending physicians stating that he was apparently re- covering from the slight relapse of Saturday Mrs. Clay came in to At lanta from their home at Marietta in the morning but when she found the senator so much improved returned to, Marietta about noon. The only mem- e Der of the family present at the death i bed was the senator's son, Herbert, who Is mayor of Marietta.
 According to the physicians, Senator Clays death resulted from dilation of the heart superinduced by arterial sol erosis. The senator has been ill for nearly a year and came to the san itarium here on November 1 to take rest cure. He appeared to be inn proving until Saturday when he sur- fered a relapse which his weakened condition was unable. to stand. The bodv was removed to the Clay home at Marietta late in the afternoon, where the funeral services will be held Tues day.
 Senator Clay was 57 years of age and was serving his third term In the United States Senate. He is survived by a widow. five sons and a daugh- ter, besides his parents, MT. and Mrs. W J. Clay of Cobb county.
 Ralph Smith. Senator clays secre- tary, wired Sergeant-at-A Ransdeh s-of tne Un.tad .statss Senate, anneunct ing the senator's death. and t ctnk mittee will be appointed from the Sem ate to attend the funeral.
 suffered III Health Senator Clay had not been well man 1 since he was seized with acute indigestion ! in Washington several years ago. Last January he came to the sanitarium here for a two weeks treatment and recover ed sufficiently to attend the last sessions of Congress. The arduous work of the spring and summed taxed his strength and his health had been falling gradually ever since His present visit to the san itarium was in the hope of building up his strength to carry him through the coming session of Congress
 As a statesman Senator Clay was noted for his unswerving honesty, his loyalty and industry. As a member of the com mittee on postoffices- and post roads. manufactures woman's suffrage, coast and insular surveys, coast defenses and public buildings and grounds, he had his hands full. He was never known to shlrk committee work. M
 Tt is less spectacular than making speeches on the floor but that is where the real work was done," he would often say to friends who urged him to give up some of the hard labor. Though a fair speaker, Senator Clay was not what would be called an ora tor, but he was faithful in his at tendance at all sessions of the Senate and paid close attention to all that Iranspired on the floor of that body. | Was Country Boy Senator Clay was born on a farm in
 
 a typical backwoodsman From the time oe his graduation from the high school in Palmetto, Ga, his ambition was to become a United States senator. He passed successively from city council man, to the general assembly, where he served as speaker. then to the state sen ate where he was president two years He was chairman of the state democratic executive committee three years decin- ing reelection
 He was elected to the United States Senate for the first time in 1896 to sue ceed Gen. John B. Gordon for the term beginning in 1897. He was reelected in 1908 and again in 1909. His last term would have expired in March, 1915.
 Senator Clay was the first man in the 121 years of Georgla's history as state, outside of his colleague, Senator Bacon, 10 be returned to the Senate for three successive terms
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