The Washington times., 1911-08-09
SENATORS MOURN
THE DEATH OF FRYE.
ADJOURN FOR DAY
Capital Saddened BY News
Of Demise Of Veteran
Statesman.

r With many expressions of sorrow
that was deeply felt and genuine, the
Senate today received official notice OF
the death of Senator William P. Frye
Of Maine, shortly after 1t convened.
After a brief session. adjournment for
the day was taken out of respect to the
memory Of the dead Senator, who has
so long been a prominent figure In the
upper branch Of Congress.
The announcement of the death and
the motion for adjournment WAS made
by Senator Johnsoh of Maine. the Dem
ocratic ccllea que of Mr.. Frye, who sue
ceede6 Senator Hale at the beginning
of this Congress.
Senator Frye died at the home of his
daughter, Mrs. Helen White. in Lewis
ton, Me-, at 3:55 o'clock yesterday aft
ernoon. He had long been Ill, and early
in the present session of Congress mis-
illness became so serious he was obliged
to resign from the position of President
pro tempore Of the Senate. He was in
Lewiston through the summer. His
illness became serious about week
ago, and II was then realized he proba-
bly, would not recover. A general
breakdown due to old age Is ascrbed as
the cause of death.
The death of Senator Frye is politi-
cally important, as IT means that an
other Democratic Senator will be sent
from Maine. Governor Plaisted will
name a successor until TIE legislature
meets a Year from the coming winter
Several candidates Will come forward,
including William NJ. Pennel!, who was
candidate against Senator Johnson;
Z. B. Winslow, a member Of the \ex-
eCutive council, and James c. Hamlen,
a merchant and a former member Of
Congress. Each of the three lives In
Portland.
senator Frye would have been eighty
years old September 2. He was born
at Lewiston, Me, and always lived
there.
One OF the remarkable facts of his
life is that he might have been Presi-
dent Of the United States had not his
wife sent a telegram in his absence de-
clning the Vice Presidency. This was
in 1850, at the time Garfield was named
to mead the ticket. He was away fish
ing and not in reach of the telegraph
when political leaders at the Chicago
convention decided on him fOr second
place and wired him. Mrs. Frye de-
Clined IL for fim.
Garfield was shot. and Arthur. who
was named, became President. Senator
Frye always said his wife did just right
in declining.
senator Frye was always known
about the Senate as one Of its most
enthusiastic fishermen. Every spring
the call of the wild stirred in him and
he was accustomed. as soon as he could
leave Washington, to betake himself to
one Of the Maine lakes and live out
doors, following his favOrite pastimc.
It was this custom that contributed
much to his long life and the vigOr he
showed until the last year OF his life.
An extraordinarily large committee
was named by Vice President Sher-
man to attend the funeral of Mr..
Frye 1t comprises Senators Johnson.
Cullom, Gallinger, Martin, Bacon,
! Lodge, Perkins, Wetmore. Culberson,
Bailey, Clark, Warren. Foster. Sim
mons, Nelson, Clark. Dillingham;. and
PenTose.
In his prayer Chaplain Pierce feeling
| ly referred to the death of Mr.. Frye.
| President Taft this afternoon sent the
| following telegram to Mrs. William
Frye White, daughter Of the Maine
| statesman:
Il extend to. YOU and your father
! family my heartfelt sympathy in your
! irretrievable loss. The great part that
your father has played in the history
| Of the country to whose welfare he de.
| voted his wonderful ability with all the
steadfastness of his sturdy patriotism
! for many decades, entities him to the
| utmost gratitude of his fellow citizens
l hope that thought of this may miti
| gate your present sorrow.
WILLIAM H. TAFT