Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-11
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WILLIAM PIERCE FRYE.
A Pen Picture of the Veteran Maine
Senator, Described by a New York
Paper.

"A stern man; sometimes a savage
man; but always a just man. is the
manner in which one OF the elder sen
ators has summed up the character Of
William Pierce Frye. who resigned as
president pro tempore of the United
States Senate the other day. And an
other. in speaking of the man who lies
at his hotel bowed under the weight
of so strenuous years, had this illumi-
mating comment TO add:
Many man has been unable To
look Senator Frye in the eye. but ey
cry little child will SO to him lnstinc-
lively"
He is the oldest man in either House.
ard has served a longer period in Con
gress than any other man. His fol-
mef colleague from Maine. Senator
Eugene p. Hale, entered the Senate
just IL days before Frye did 80
years ago, but Frye had previ-
ously put in ten years in the lower
House. For l. years he has served as
president pro tempore of the Senate
impa rtiaIly and we'll. aud there can be
elected to that body when his term
no doubt that if years and failing
health do not prevent. he will be re
comes to an end in 1913. Few senator's
have earned the universal respect that
Frye has during his term of service,
and even those who differ with him
most earnestly on points or political
doctrine respect his honesty and cour-
age. Ten years ago before age began
to tell upon him, he was everywhere
known as the Little Giant" of the
Republican party. and more recently
as THE Little Father of the Senate.
He might have had other honors if
he had cared to accept them. only his
wife's veto. in all probability, kept him
from being President of the United
States. In 1880 he was offered the
non inatlon for the vice presidency on
the ticket with James \. Garfield. It
happened that he was away on fish
ing trip. and his wife. who had decid-
ed opinions on the subject. declined
the honor in a telegram, signing her
husbands name. Tile ticket was cleo
ted that fall. and later Garfield's as
sassination opened the way to Vice
President Arthur's election to the pres
idency. But Frye never criticised his
wlfe's action.
She had a full right TO decline that
honor in my name" said he. Il never
take any political action except with
her full consent"
Not only did he share counsel with
his wife, but he believed in the ladies'
taking their full part in affairs. ON
one occasion one of Washington's per
iOdieal fuses about precedence at dip
lomatic receptions embroiled almost ev-
eryone in official life. The burning
question whether the wife of the vice
president should preeede the ladies OF
the cabinet on the parade in to dinner
had everyone throwing red hot spears
Finally some sort of protocol was
agreed to by which the men concerned
agreed to leave the solution of the
matter to Senator Frye. He heard of
the arguments in "A SIMULTANEOUSLY
amused silence. Then he gave his de-
cision.
Il shall rule" said he, that the la
dies shall settle this themselves"
He was the son of a we'll do fam
lily in Maine, and secured the univer-
sity education possible so years ago.
Between times he fought with his
schoolmates. according to the cher
ished tradition of the State Always
short in stature, his large head and
strudiness of carriage produced the
effect Of strength and resolution upon
those who watched him. lie began as
lawyer In Lewiston. soon worked to
the mead of the local bar and then
became active in politics because he
had convictions to serve. He has TAX
en- an active part ON every public Dues
ton of Importance for 10 years, al
though in the past decade he has been
compelled 90 conserve his strength. As
public speaker he had few equals
when he possessed full strength. He
was one of the peace commissioners
who cleared away the diplomatic de-
bris following the var with Spain, but
his speciality has always been the ship
ping interests of the United States
lie was perhaps the most dignihed
member of the upper House. No mat
ter what might send his fellows on
that hoor into cohvulsions of laughter
his countenance was unmoVed unless
perhaps in an expression of disgust
betrayed his sentiments when Tilman
or Bailey engaged in their pitchfork-
ing specillties He always held that
his health was due to his long fishing
trips each summer when he logged
every trout bearing stream in Maine.
And he Mas something more than a
mere wielder of the rod. On one oc-
casion Prof. Agassiz challenged his
boast that he had caught square
tailed trout weighing seven pounds.
Asassiz said that square tails never
reached that weight. But the next
summer FRYE sent the naturalist an
eight pound square, tailed packed in
ice and Agassiz responded in a la
comic note:
THE theory of q lifetime has been
kicked to pieces by a fact"-Naw
York Globe