Evening star., 1911-08-09
SENATE DEAN DEAD
W. P. Frye Oldest Member in
Point of Service.
END COMES IN MAINE
Noted Statesman Had Been III for
More Than q Year.
SUCCESSOR TO BE DEMOCRA r
Republicans in Upper House Further
Weakened by Loss of His Vote.
Sketch of Notable Career.
SUCCESSOR TO BE DEMOCRA I

The death of Senator William Pierce
Frye Of Maine. oldest member in point OF
service and for much Of his term its
presiding officer, was announced to the
Senate this afternoon, and adjournment
was Immediately taken as a formal ex-
preston of the respect in which he was
held and the sorrow felt at his death.
The genuineness of the sorrow among
the members of the Senate was evident
when senators began to assemble for TO-
DAVIS brief session. 1t was written In
their faces and expressed in the tones OF
their voices: 1t spread a pail over the
entire proceedings.
CHAPLAIN Pierce made direct reference
to the loss of the Senate, in the course
of his prayer opening the session
For the life and services OF my Ss.v.
ant whom Thou hast called to Inine
higher service he said. I'VE render Tnee
sincere thanks. In our deep sorrow we
turn to Thee, for Thou alone canst nelp.
Consecrate to US. we pray Thee. our loss
and graciously be near unto ;. 'hose ~
whom this sorrow Is most Deep.
1T has become my sad duty, saio
senator Johnson of Maine, when the
reading of the journal Of yesterdays s
proceedings was dispensed with, TO
announce the death of my colleague,
+" .
tinguished member Of this body ana
for fifteen years its president pro-tem-
pore / appreciate the profound sor-
row in the hearts OF the members OF
this body. for l have come 10 Know
was held by those on both sides Of
this chamber"
Declaring that the sorrow was now
too deep to permit of an extended re-
view Of "the distinguished public serv,
s<~l, oI,o oatn dean
senator Mr.. Johnson made the Tor
NAL announcement that at future
time he would ask the Senate to set
aside a day upon which to CONSIDER
at length the life of Mr.. Fry, ana pre-
sented the usual resolution. expressing
the profound sorrow" OF the Senate
Committee for Funeral.
After its unanimous adoption. Vic'
President Sherman appointed sixteen o.
the oldest senators. in point OF service. Il
attend the funeral. with Senator johnson
of Maine as chairman. The committe'
includes Senators Cullom of Illinois
GaIlinger of New Hampshire. Martin O.
| Virginia. Bacon of Georgia. Lodge o
Massachusetts, Perkins OF California
Wetmore Of Rhode Island. Culberson o
Texas, Bailey of Texas. Clark o. wy
oming Warren OF Wyoming, Foster o.
Louisiara, simmons Of North Carolina
Nelson Of Minnesota. Clarke OF Arkansa'
and Dillingham; of Vermont.
In company with similar committed
from the House. the senators viii ieavs
Federal express and will attend. IN.
body, the funeral, to be held at lewis
ton. Me-, Friday afternoon at O'CLOCK
The party will return to washington
Saturday morning. -
President Wires Condolences.
President Taft today sent the follow
| ing telegram to Mrs. William Frye
| White. Lewiston. Me-:
Il extend to you and your fathers
family my heartfelt sympathy in your
irretrievable loss. The great part that
your father has played in the history
of the country to whose welfare he
| devoted his wonderful ability with all
the steadfastness of his sturdy patriots
| ism for many decades entitled him to
| the unending gratitude of the fellow
| citizens / hope that thought OF this
may mitigate your present sorrows."
The end came at 3:56 o'clock yesterday
| afternoon. at the home Of hts daughter
Mrs. Helen White. in Lewiston, Maine
At his bedside were Mrs. White and his
other daughter. Mrs. Alice Briggs of Lew
iston. He had not been we'll for over q
year. He attended a few sessions Of the
Senate last winter: but early in the pres
ent session his health became so bad
| that he was compelled to give up active
attention to his duties in the upper house
of Congress and went to Maine In an
effort to recuperate his strength in home
surroundings. His illness took a serious
turn about a week ago. and while his
death was not unexpected. 1t came sud-
denly. 1t is attributed to a general break
down after a life Of strenuous public
service.
Republicans Lose Vote.
Senator Frye's death will increase the
number of democrats in the Senate, re-
ducing the republican strength to forty.
| nine. and increasing that of the demo-
| Gratis to forty-one When Senator-elec,
Hoke Smith of Georgia takes his seat and
| the democratic legislature of Colorado
breaks the deadlock and elects q success
sor to The late Senator Charles j. Hughes
| jr., the democrats will have forty-three
Of the ninety.two members Of the Senate.