The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1912-11-29
WAS A LEADER
OF DEMOCRATS
Rayner Long Prominent In
Affairs Of Nation
NOTED AS STRONG DEBATER
Was Also Recognized Authority on
Matters Of Constitutional Law
schIey Case Brought Him Fame Be-
fore He Entered Senate-His Death
Changes Complexion of Next Senate


fore He Entered Senate-His Death
Changes Complexion of Next Senate
Washington, Nov. Ex-senator
Isador Rayner of Maryland died at his
home In this city of neutritis. Mem
hers of his family were at his bedside
when the end came.
Senator Rayner's illness covered
period Of nearly five years. Compli-
cations began about six weeks ago,
and his serious illness dates from that
time. He attempted to enter actively
into the Democratic campaign and
met Bourke Cochran in joint debate
at Baltimore late in September. The
effort exhausted him and he became
seriously i'll Immediately afterward.
He was one of the men William ].
Bryan suggested as suitable candi-
dates for the presidential nomination.
Senator Rayner was one of the
striking figures of the senate. He
had been a member of that body for
almost eight years, and was one of
its strongest debaters and a recog-
nized authority on matters of con-
stitutional law. Before he entered
congress he had attained a national
reputation because of his vigorous
conduct of the late Admiral Schleys
case before the naval court of inquiry
that investigated the action of Ameri-
can officers in the battle with Admiral
Cevera's Spanish fleet.
Mr.. Rayner was a native of Balti-
more and was 62 years old. He was
a member of the Maryland legisla-
ture when % years old and served
three terms in the national hourse of
representatives in the period from
1886 to 1892. He was elected to the
United States senate in 1904, after
having served four years term as
attorney general of Maryland.
AS member of the committees on
foreign relations and the judiciary
Rayner devoted especial attention
during the last two years to Ameri-
cas- foreign problems and constitu-
tional and legal questions. He was a
strong advocate of the abrogation of
the treaty with Russia because of that
country's discrimination against pass
ercised marked influence in getting
the senate to indorse that action.
The death of Raynor changes the
political complexion Of the next SEN
ate and swings it from Democratic
control to a tie. With his vote the |
Democrats had 40, or one more than a
majority. AS the present governor
OF Maryland, Lee Goldsborough, is :
Republican, the new Maryland ap-
pcintee will probably be of that politi-
cal faith until the legislature meets in |
January, 1914. This will give each |
party in the senate 4S votes.
According to Senator Curtis of Kan
sas the tie threatened in the senate
by Rayner's death may be broken by
the election of one and possibly two |
Democratic senators from Illinois and |
a Democratic senator from Tennessee,
giving the Democrats at least one ma
jcrity.
In Tennessee, where sectional |
strife among the parties threatened
the election of a Republican, Rayner's
death, Curtis suggested, would prob
ably result in peace among the Demo-
Gratis and the selection of a Demo-
cratic senator acceptable to both
party factions.