The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-09

ful servant, when William Pierce Frye
died late yesterday afternoon at the
home of his daughter Mrs. Helen
White. here. At his bedside were Mrs.
White and his other daughter. Mrs.
Alice Briggs. who also resides in
Lewiston Although he had been i'll
for a long time. death came suddenly.
Forced by the condition of his
health to resign his position as presi-
dent pro tempore of the senate at the
beginning of the present special ses-
sion of congress, although he retained
his membership in the senate, Senator
Frye soon afterwards made his last
journey to the city which always had
been his home. For several weeks his
condition was not considered necessar-
lily dangerous. Up to last week he
rested in comparative comfort. spend
ing much of his time in reading or in
having some member of his family
read to him.
Last week the senator's illness took
a serious turn. but again he rallied
end this week his physicians expressed
the hope that he might recover. AS
late as 3:15 in the afternoon he ap-
peared to be in a comfortable condi-
fion. Shortly afterward it was seen
that he was sinking rapidly and at
S.55 o'clock he died.
A general breakdown. due to age
and his extremely arduous career. IS
ascribed by Senator Frye's physicians
as the cause of death.
The Political Effect.
Washington. Aug. 9.-News Of Sena-
tor Frye's death reached the senate in
formally while Admiral Togo the Jap
anese naval hero. was being given an
ovation during a ten-minute recess.
AS the senate was still in the legisl9-
tive session Of Monday, by reason of
continuance under the agreement to
vote on the statehood bill on the leg
tslative day of August Z, it was de-
cided that no announcement should
be made of the loss of the senate s
oldest member-old both in years ana
service There was a unanimous de-
sire also that when adjournment was
taken out of respect for his memory
It be for an entire day. This fOrmality
Will be complied with.
BY reason of the recent Democratic
victory in Maine and the resultant
election of a Democratic governor and
legislature. Senator Frye viii be sue
ceeded by a member of that party. The
change will reduce the Republican
membership of the senate to AZ ana
increase the Democratic membership
TO Al Senator Fryes term would
have ended March 4. 1913. There are
said to be half a dozen prominent
Dem ocrats in the state who Will aspire
to the short term appointment. The
choice will rest with Governor PlafstAd
accession of another Democrat to the
senate will make the Maine delegation.
for many years sOlidly Republican.
four Democrats and two Republicans.
as the Democrats already have half
Of the Maine membership in the
house.
Senator Frye was one of the last two
Of that remarkable coterie of Maine
statesmen which began with Hannibal
Hamlin, ended with himself and Sena-
tor Hale. who retired at the close of
the last session of congress and in
cluded James G. Blaine. William Pitt
Fessenden. Thomas 3. Reed and Mel
son Dingley- Both he and Hale began
service IN the senate in 1881 and
served the nation side by side for 80
years. a much longer time than any
4 other two men ever sat together in
the senate. whether from the same
state or not
His Public Career.
FRYE began his service as the sue
cessor OF Blaine and Hale as the sue
cessor Of Hamlin. Both entered the
senate after conspicuous service in
the house and both began their con-