Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-11-26
SENATE LOSES
A BRILLIANT
Member
RAYNER, OF MARYLAND, DEAD
Was Defender Of SChIey Be,
fore Court Of Inquiry

Washington, D. c., Nov. 25.-Isidore
Rayner, of Maryland, one of the lead
ing democratic members of the United
states senate, and a man whose name
was offered to the Chicago conven-
| ton by VIM. ]. Bryan as a suitable
candidate for the presidential nomi-
nation, died here early today at the
end of a long illness resulting from
continued attacks of neuritis.
Senator Rayner had been in COM
atose state since last Wednesday
with only one or two slight rallies.
His severe illness covered a period of
about six weeks, dating from the eff
forts made in the joint political de-
bate with Bourke Cochran at Balti-
more late in September. His physi-
clans compelled him to retire from
the campaign Immediately after that,
and he returned to his Washington
home where he died at $40 o'clock
this morning
For over five years Senator Rayner
had been a sufferer from neuritis, the
attacks often making his work in the
| senate arduous and painful.
| His death creates a vacancy in the
senate that probably will be filled by
asrepublican, through appointment by
Governor Goldsboro, of Maryland
While the legislature of that state
| is democratic, it does not meet this
winter, and the republican governors
appointment will hold through the OPP
ening sessions of the next congress.
Senator Rayner's illness from neu-
riffs covered a period of nearly five
years. Complications began about
six week ago and his serious illness
dated from that time. He attempted
to enter actively in the democratic
campaign and met Bourke Cochran in
joint debate at Baltimore late in Sep
tember. The effort exhausted him
and he became seriously i'll after
ward
Senator Rayner was one of the
striking figures OF the senate. He
had been a member of that body fer
almost eight years and was one of
its strongest debaters and recog-
nized authority on constitutional law.
Before he entered the senate, he
had attained national reputation
because of his vigorous conduct of the
late Admiral Schley's case before the
naval court of inquiry that investi-
gated the action of American officers
in the battle with Admiral Cevera's
Spanish feet
Mr.. Rayner was a native of Balt-
more and was 62 years old. He was
member of the Maryland legislature
when 2S years of age, and served three
terms in the national house of repre-
sentatives in the period from 1886 to
1892. He was elected to the United
States senate in 1904 after having
served S IOuT year IelIu dS dIIoAhO
general of Maryland.
AS a member of the committee on
foreign relations and the Judiciary,
Senator Rayner devoted especial at
tention during the last few years to
Americas foreign problems and legal
! questions He was a strong advocate
of the abrogation of the treaty with
Russia, because of that country's dis
elimination against passports pre-
sented by American Jews, and exer-
cised a marked influence in getting
the senate to endorse such action.
The control of the United States
senate after March may hinge on
the death Of Senator Rayner.
The republican whom it Is expected
Governor Goldsboro will appoint in
his place, will hold Office at least un-
til the Maryland legislature meets In
January, 1914.