Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-01-05
HOUSES MOURN
SUDDEN DEATH OF
SENATOR ELK|NS
Congress Adjourns Early Out
of Respect to States
mans Memory.
PRESIDENT TAFT CALLS
ON STRICKEN FAMILY
of Senate and House
Are Named to Attend
Obsequies.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 5.-Both houses
of Congress adjourned early today out
of respect to the memoir of Senator
Stephen B. Elkins, of West Virginia,
who died at his residence here last night
after a lingering illness. The Senate
was in session only six minutes, adj
journing until Monday. The House de-
voted a half hour to pressing business
and then adjourned until noon tomor-
ROW.
In the Senate today proceedings were
confined entirely to the announcement
of the death of the West Virginian by
his colleague, Senator Sec and to
proceedings incidental to the
ment. Chaplain Pierce's prayer dealt
exclusively with the sad e The
chaplain referred especially to the per-
sonal sorrow of senators and his petit
ton for divine help for those Ito whose
lips this cup Of sorrow Is most close
ly pressed found many an echo in the
senatorial assemblage.
Immediately following the prayer
came the announcement by Mr.. Scott.
His Fight for Life.
Referring to Mr.. Elkins's brave fight
for his life after a long illness he said
his course in this matter had been
characteristic of him; he had always
fought and %contended manfully for
principles he believed to be right. Then
he added;
ITO me his death is personal The
country suffers a great loss and West
Virginia one of the greatest sorrows
she could possibly have experienced"
After a resolution expressing the
Senate's profound sorrow" had been
adopted, the following-named senators
were appointed a committee to accom-
pany the body of the dead senator to
his late home at Elkins, w. Va:
Messrs. Scott, Hale, Frye. Aldrich.
Cullom, Gallinger, Lodge. Bacon, Till
man, Kean. Bailey, Foster. Stone,
Crane. Carter, Smith of Maryland and
Root.
On motion of Mr.. Scott, the Senate
then adjourned as a further mark of
respect.
President Taft Calls.
The senators were visibly affected by
the death of the West Virginia senator.
There were expressions of sorrow on
the part of all, and many called at the
Elkins home to give silent assurance
VI LIelT SCTIOW. (AuOC0 W tIC . Va
senatorial callers were many others
high in official and social life, including
President Taft.
In the House announcement of Sena-
tor Elkins's death was made by Rep
resentative Gaines, of West Virginia,
A resolution was adopted authorizing
the speaker to appoint a committee to
act with the committee from the Sem
ate. This committee had not been an
nounced when the House at 1890 ad-
journed out of respect.
Chaplain Couden, in his prayer open
ing the session of the House, alluded
feelingly to the death of Senator
Elkins, referring to him as one of the
foremost legislators of his time.
Senator Elkins was chairman of the
Senate committee on interstate com
merce, and his removal will make a
rather startling change in the per
sonnet of hat committee, which is
charged with passing upon railroad
legislation. There is little doubt that
Senator Clapp, Of Minnesota, now fifth
on the committee, will be chairman or
the expiration of the present Congress
in less than two months.
Senator Clapp has been an insurgent
on railroad rate legislation In that hi
has favored many suggestions for the
regulation of rates which the majority
of the committee regarded as ultra
radical.
The death of Senator Elkins leaves
vacancies also on the committees or
appropriations, commerce., printing and
rules.
senator EIkins's Career.
senator Stephen B. Elkins. whose
fame as a great railroad pioneer n as
secretary of war in the cabinet OF
President Harrison. has in the last two
or three years been obscured in the
popular mind by the rumors about ths
engagement of his daughter to ths
Duke of the Abruszs. was born in Perry