New-York tribune., 1911-01-12
OBITUARY
limited States Senator Charles J,
Huuhes Dies in Denver.


Denver. Jan. ll.-Charles James Hughes
,r iunior United States Senator from Col
/ or,do died in his home here to-day after
! an illness of nearly year. He had been
,rpc,,scious since yesterday. and passed
/ f-,r,, a state Of coma almost imperceptiby
/ into death
,rb. immediate cause of death was per
/ ricior= an,puia. with complications Of mye-
I lItis \ trip to the Hawaiian Islands last
/ fall failed to improve his health. and
shortly after his return home he was con
fined IN his bed and remained there until
the end.
Tho news of Senator HUghes's death
caused general sorrow throughout the city.
| Al the state House the flag was half-mast-
cd and the House and the Senate ad-
I iourned Flags on other buildings we're
also dropped a. a mark Of mourning.
Tho funeral will he held on Friday after
noon The body will lie in state at the
/ Capitol for two hours preceding the ser
vices The death OF Senator Hughes adds
| importance to the present session OF the
/ Democratic Legislature, which VIII choose
! his successor to serve until March B. 1910
Even in this hour OF mourning plans for
the election are making. but tentative can
didates are remaining i'm the background.
Recently there had been much newspaper
discussion of Mayor Robert W. Speer of
| Denver and Ex-Governor Alya Adams, Of
Pueblo. both Democrats. as possible sue
cessors 10 the senatorship should there be
vacancy. but yesterday Mayor Speer an
nounced that he was not a candidate under
any circumstances.
Governor John f. Shafroth has been fire.
ouently mentioned as the possible choice OF
the Democrats for the scat OF Senator
. GuGgenheim, whose term expires two years
hence. but he has never publicly author
lied the use OF his name.
! Other prominent Democrats who nave
been classed as senatorial timber in the
past include Ex-Governor Charles }.
Thomas and Thomas J. O'Donnell, both OF
Denver.
/ Charles ]. Hughes. jr.. junior Senator
from Colorado. successor to Senator TeIlei'
was born in Kingston. Mo. in 1898. de-
scendant of Kentucky pioneers. lie was
graduated from Richmond College. missouri
in 1871 and did post graduate law work Al
tie University Of Missouri After leaNihS
college he spent five years as tea'''e''
Al one time during his career he was
lecturer Al the Harvard Law School ana
was FOR a while professoT Of mining Jaw a.
the University Of Denver.
In 1857 he began the practice ot la" al
Denver. lie bunt ~ an extensive practice
not limited To any field o. class of clients.
but embracing all save criminal law. "h'th
he avoided whenever possible. From the
beginning Senator Hughes gave special al
tention TO mining and irrigation litigation.
He delivered an address on The Evolution
of Mining Law" before tie American 1917
Association in Denver I'm August, 1901.
For ten years Senator Hughes had asso-
ciated with him his eldest son, Gerald
himself a prominent lawyer OF Denver
and later two other sons, Lafayette anu
Rerrien. took their places in the law ot-
fees He was counsel. and successful, IN t"e
Durant Emma and Aspen litigation Whl-H
went far 10 settle the important apex le"'
the decision upon which was approved II
| the United States Supreme Court. te"
great mining or irrigation suits in the MID
| die West or Rocky Mountain region nave
heen tried in which Senator Hughes was
not a participant as a leading counseI.
/ His practice carried him into all the West
orn and many Of the Middle and Atlantic
states
/ Senator Hughes had been consistent
! Democrat since his majority. lie was a
. close friend OF W. J. Bryan, their friend
shin dating back TO Bryan's entrance into
national politics Twice the nomination FOR
/ Governor Of Colorado was rendered him by
the Democratic party, but each time ne
. f.riOr n his cleo
ton as Senator was that OF member OF
the state Board Of Capitol Managers Whl'h
built Colorado's State House.
I In 1855 Senator Hughes was a Democratic
candidate for Presidential Elector in colo
/ RADIO and was defeated. was elected as
Democratic Presidential Elector in 1900 and
was defeated for the same position In 1914.
He was also a delegate to the Democratic
/ National conventions Of 1904 10 1898. I'm his
election to the Senate he was practically
! chosen by popular vote. Delegates To the
convention were instructed In their prima-
rios and county conventions TO indorse him,
/ and upon the assembling OF the state con-
yention in 1908 he was unanimously IN
dorsed by il for the United States Senate,
although the party had many eminent men
| in its ranks well qualified ror tho place.
/ and the various men nominated for state
/ Senators and Representatives we're instruct
ed. II elected. 10 cast their votes for him
/ in tie legislature Upon the converting Of
the General Assembly he received seventh
three Of the one hundred votes constituting
| that body on joint ballot the entire Demo-
cratic strength Of the Legislature.
! The Colorado Senator gave especial at
| tertior, to legal and pul lie land questions
and at the last session Of Congress devoted
! much tirne to the railroad bill which also
occupied the attention Of Senator Elkins,
whose death so shortly preceded tnat OK
/ his colleague.
/ Senator Hughes was member OF the
American Bar Association, American Ins.i-
/ tute OF Mining Engineers, Colorado IIistor-
/ iraI Society, Denver University, Denver
7 Athletic club. Denver Club, FL Paso club,
| s,roIlers club. Of New York and until re-
Gently president OF me Denver Country
Club and president Of the Colorado South
/ ern Society.
! In 1874 he married Miss Lucy : Menefee.
4 number Of United states Senator'S and
I ex-T-nited States Senators nave died in
I the last twelve months. The list includes
senator's Dolliver Daniel. Clay McEnery,
EIkins and Hughes. and eA-Senators Platt.
uu call Carlisle and q. IA. Williams.
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