New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-09
WASHINGTON PAYS TRIBUTE
Genuine Sorrow at Capital at the
Loss of Senator Frye.

r,a,,aea naval hero was receiving an oNh-
,,or, d,,r,ro q ten-minute recess. As the
Sera+a was still in the legislative session
Of Monday. by reason of continuance uiiuei
the agreement 10 vote on the s'dteIoou
bill on the legislative day OF august = ~
was decided that no announcement snouiu
be made to-day Of the loss Of the senate
oldest member-oldest both In years ana
service There was unanimous desire
also. that when adjournment was taKen out
Of respect for his memory II De LOT az
entire day. This formality will De COM
piled with Immediately after the SENATE
convenes tomorrow.
The fact that the Democrats VIII gam
Senator, a potent consideration IN conneo-
ton with the alliance between the Demo-
Gratis and Progressive Republicans mat mas
sbacklAd the Republican paper majority
will not alleviate the grief genuinely lett
by all Senators, regardless of party
Senator FRYE was famed for his fairness
10 all members, whether as the preslolis
officer or in debate on the floor. lie never
LET notifies interfere with his unwaVer1hs
consideration for the feelings OF MS COZ
leagues.
The succession by Democrat VIII re-
duce the Republican membership OF the
senate TO forty-nine and increase the
Democratic membership TO forty-one'
Senator Frye was one OF the Iasl '"o
n that remarkable coterie of Maine states
men which began with Hannibal Hariiii''
ended with himself and Senator Haze anu
included James q. Blaine. william fl''
r.ssenden. Thomas B. Reed and Nelson
Dfngley Both he and Hale began service
in the senate in 1881 and served the nation
eide bv side for thirty years. Huci
1onger time than any other two men ever
90, together in the Senate. from the same
state or not
FRYE began his service as the successor
NJ blaine and Hale as the successor Oh
Hamlin. Both entered the Senate a'er
consn,cuous service in the House, and both
hogan their Congressional careers IN the
latter body almost simultaneously
The narallel would have been complete
IL Mr.. Hale had not skipped term De
tween the termination OF his House ana the
headnning of his Senate service. and II ne
had not practically voluntarily severed MS
connection with the Senate by annouhclhs'
long in advance. that he would not ne
"a ndidate for reelection after the concur
sion of his Senatorial term ended March,
1911
Mr. FRYE vas in Congress from the Tune
NJ his first election 10 the House until the
close of his life. giving him the longest
continuous Congressional record. with the
two exceptions Of Justin S. Morrill, oil YER
mont. and William B. Allison. of Iowa
For fifteen years he was president pro
ternnore Of the Senate. and by virtue Oh
,he fact that he held this office when the
late Vice-President Hobart died he as
sumed all the functions Of Vice. President
of the United States during the latter nan
OF President McKinley's administration
Previous TO the assumption OF the duties
oY nrestding officer Mr.. Frye was one OF
the most active debaters in the Senate.
Coming to Congress before the close or
tho reconstruction period following the
Civil War. and being a pronounced paru-
con he Immediately became an active par
-,c,nan+ in the discussions Of that thrill
ing period. He soon took front rank as d
sneaker. and by the time he had served
ten wears had risen 10 position or such
auinence that except for his election 10
rho Senate. he doubtless would have been
salected as Speaker OF the House
Roth as Senator and Representative, Mr..
FRYE gave most Of his time 10 prac'icai
questions. He was for many years chalr-
man of the Senate Committee on Com
nerce. and in that capacity became an ex-
nart on all questions dealing with ship
ming. navigation. river and harbor I'M
and bridge legislation. He was one or the
principal promoters OF the movement IN
favor OF subsidies for the promotion OF
American shipping. So highly was MS
Judgment in most Of these matters regard
ed that no ordinary bill reported from the
Commerce Committee ever was questioned.
Mr. Frye was also a member OF long
standing OF the Committee on Foreign
pa,a,,ons In some respects this is re-
,o-ded as the most desirable Of all the
senate committees: vet so anxious was he
70 serve the commercial world that "heh
Senator sherman retired from the chair
of the Foreign committee the
,saina senator voluntarily surrendered the
vacated place 10 remain AT the head OF the
Commerce committee. or international
questions Mr. Frye gave most attention 10
involving Oriental relations. No
man in public life had a better command
~ the situation in the Samoan Islands
,vhfle they were a bone OF international
contention. He was also familiar with con-
1,tions in Hawaii before the annexation OF
the islands, and was an effective advocate
Of American control there.
He WAS one Of President McKinley's ar
dent supporters in the Spanish war. and
vben that conflict was brought 10 a close
yas selected as one of the commissioners
on the part Of this country TO negotiate
neace treaty. which he. with others, after
ward signed In Paris
Before entering Congress. Mr.. Frye had
ATTAINED distinction as a lawyer In his ma
tive CITY of Lewiston. The financial out
look was most fiattering. but he always de-
81. red that while he probably would have
neen able 10 amass a large fortune he had
M regret over his course In foregoing this
II would not exchange my
ne for any monetary consideration. he
eaid on one occasion. adding III / could
,o hack and know a fortune awaited me at
he law I would not do so. but would do
,,,., az have done / think more OF the
honore that have come 10 me and OF the
nndence that has been reposed In me than
I do II money.
Mr. FRYE served his own people IN the
Maine Legislature before entering con-
,,rass and on one occasion held the three
efHces of member OF the Legislature, A.
,nrney General Of the state and Mayor OF
c"n,tor Cullom now becomes the ranking
senator in point Of longest service !