The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-09
Senator w. P. Frye Dies
Suddenly at Home
in M aine
IN CONGRESS
FORTY YEAR 5
President Pro Tempore of Senate
Until Failing Health Compelled
His Resignation-His Death
Will Add Another Mem
Der to Democratic
Strength.

Lewiston, Me. August S.-Tne State
of Maine lost its senior United States
Senator and an almost lifelong faith
full servant when william Pierce Frye
died to-day at the home OF his daugh-
ter, Mrs. Helen White. in this city.
The end came at ass p. ". At his
bedside were Mrs. White and his other
daughter. Mrs. Alice Briggs. who also
resides in Lewiston. Although he had
been Ill for long time, death came
suddenly.
Forced by the condition of his
health 10 resign his position as presi-
dent pro tempore OF the Senate at
the beginning of the present special
session Of Congress. although he re-
tanned his membership In the Senate.
Senator Frye soon afterward made
his last journey from Washington to
the city which always had been his
home For several weeks his condi-
ton was not considered necessarily
dangerous. Up TO last week he rested
In comparative comfort, spending
much OF his time in reading OF in hav-
ing some member OF his family read
TO him.
Last week the Senator's illness took
serious turn. but he again rallied,
and this week his physicians expressed
the hope that he might recover. AS
late as 3:I5 this afternoon he ap-
peared TO be in a comfortable condt-
ton Shortly afterward it was seen
tnht he was sinking rapidly and at
S:55 o'clock he died
general breakdown, due TO age
and his extremely arduous career. is
ascribed by Senator Fryc's physicians
as the cause of death.
Funeral arrangements had not been
completed tonight. President TAFT
and Governor Pla,sted were notified
OF the death of Senator Frye.
Mcsnn.c From sherman.
the following telegram from Vice
PRESIDENT James S. Sherman was re-
ceiyed at Senator Frye's home to-
News of the death OF Senator FRYE
nils every Senators's heart with sor-
;,1w ana casts a gloom over official
Washington My sorrow is deep and
conspicuous service brightens the
pages OF his country's civic history
His unfatling suavity. his kindness his
goodness VIII long endure. Great is
Had Notable Career.
Washington. D. c.. August s.-News
of Senator Frye's death reached the
Senate Informally this afternoon
while Admiral Togo. the Japanese ma
val hero. was Being given an ovation
during ten minute recess. AS the
Senate was still in the legislative ses-
sion of Monday, by reason OF continu-
ance under the agreement to vote on
the statehood bill on the legislative
day of August I, 1t was decided that
no announcement should be made to-
day of the loss OF the Senate's Oldest
member. There was a unanimous de-
sire also that when adjournment was
taken out of respect for mis- memory
that It be for an entire day. This for
mality Will be complied with immedi-
ately after the Senate convenes to-
morrow.
The fact that the Democrats Will
gain a Senator, potent considera-
tion in connection with the alliance
between the Democrats and Progress
sive Republicans that has shackled the
Republican paper majority" will not
alleviate the grief genuinely felt by
ali Senators regardless of party. SEN
ator Frye was famed for his fairness
to all members. whether as the pre-
siding officer or in debate on the floor.
BY reason of the recent Democratic
victory in Maine and the resultant
election OF a Democratic Governor and
Legislature Senator Frye will be sue
ceeded by member of that party.
The change will reduce the Republic
can membership OF the Senate to 40
and increase the Democratic member
ship to Il. Senator Frye's term would
have ended March 4. 1913. The choice
at present Will rest with Governor
Plaisted, who will make an appoint
ment.
Remarkable Coterie.
Senator Frye was one of the last two
of that remarkable coterie of Maine
statesmen which began with Hannibal
Hamiin, ended with himself and Sen
ator Hale, who retired a the close of
the last session of Congress. and In
Guided James G. Blaine. William Pitt
Fessenden. Thomas B. Reed and Nelson
Dinglcy. Both he and Hale began SER
vice in the Senete in 1881, and served
the nation side by side for thirty years.
a much longer time than any other
two me never sat together in the SEN
ate. whether from the same State or
not
Frye began his service as the sue
cessor of Blaine. and Hale as successor
of Hamlin. Both entered the Senate
after conspicuous service in the House,
and both began their congressional
careers in the latter body almost sim
ultaneously.
Mr.. Frye was in Congress from the
time Of his first election to the House
until the close OF his life. The service
had covered a period of forty years,
giving him the longest continuous con-
gressional record, with the two excep-
tions of Justin S. Morrill,. of Vermont,
and William B. Allison, of Iowa,
For fifteen years Mr.. Frye had been
president pro tempore of the Senate.
and by virtue of the fact that he held
this office when the late Vice-President
Hobart died, he assumed all the func-
tions of VicePresident of the United
States during the latter half OF Pres
ident McKinley's administration.