Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-11-26
Maryland Senator Expired
in Washington Early This
Morning After Long Suf-
fering From Neuritis.
AT % WAS MEMBER
OF LEGISLATURE
Had Long Career in Politics,
Having Been in Congress,
Attorney General Of State
and Senator Since 1904.

Attorney General Of State
and Senator Since 1904.
Washington, d. c.. Nov. Ex-senator
Isadore Ravner of Maryland. one of the
leading democratic members of the
United States senate and man whose
name was offered to the Baltimore
convention by William J. Bryan as a
suitable candidate for the presidential
nomination, died here early today at
the end of long illness resulting
from continued attacks of neuritis.
Senator Rayner had been in a
comatose state since last Wednesday,
with only one or two slight rallies. His
severe illness covered period OF
about six weeks. dating from the ef-
forts made in the joint political de-
bate with Bourke Cochran at Balti-
more late in September. Physicians
compelled him to retire from the cam
paign at once after that and he re-
turned to his Washington home, where
he died at $40 o'clock this morning.
For over five years Senator Rayner
had been sufferer from neuritis, the
attacks often making his work arduous'
and painful. His death creates a
vacancy in the senate that probably
will be filled by a republican. through.
appointment by Governor Goldsborough
OF Maryland While the legislature OF
that state Is democratic 1t does not
meet this winter and the republican
governors, appointment will hold
through the opening session of the
next congress.
Conducted .schley Case.
Senator eRayner was one of the strik-
ing figures of the senate. He had
been q member Of that body for nearly
eight years and was one of it's strong
est debaters and an authorized ,au-
thority on matter of constitutional law.
Before he entered congress he had at
tanned national reputation because
Of his vigorous .,contiGct 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 Adrimal Cervera's
Spanish fleet. 49,
Mr.. Rayner was native Of Balti-
more and was 62 years old. He was
member of the Maryland legislature
when % years old 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 forr years term as attorney
general of Maryland.
AS member Of the committees on
foreign relations and the judiciary
Senator Ravner devoted especial at
tention during the last few years to
Americas foreign problems under
constitutional questions. He was a
strong advocate of the ahrogation OF
the treaty with Russia because of that
countrv's Discrimination against pass
ports held nv American Jews and ex-
ercised 2 marked influence in getting
the senate to endorse such action.
Death Affects Senate.
The control Of. the United States
senate after March 4 may hinge on
the death of Senator Rayner. The
republican whom it is expected Gov
ernor Goldshorough will appoint in his
place, will hold Office at least until
the, ,ryland legislature meets in
January, 1914 Senator Rayner's death
removes one of the democrats on whom
the control Of the senate depended in
the new congress. With his vote the
democratic leaders counted on 40 votes,
or one more than a majority of the
/ .al membership of &C. In any event
4s votes with the vote of the vice
president, in case of tie. was looked
upon as sufficient strength to secure
control While the democrats still
have an apparent strength of 48. the
death Of the Maryland senator re-
duces the supposed majority to point
very near the dividing line Of party
control
Jackson May Get Toga.
Baltimore, Md, Nov. 25.-Wiliiam
p Jackson, member Of the republican
national committee. will be appointed
Senator Rayner's successor it is be-
lieyed kore. although Governor Colds
borough has said he will not consider
the matter until the funeral.
The appointee will serve until his
successo- is chosen by the legislature,
which does not meet until January.
1914. With the election of this body
next eall senatorial primaries will be
held at which the voters will express
their preferences not only for the
candidate to fill out the unexpired por-
tion OF Mr.. Rayner's term, but also
for the successor to Senator John II.
Smith, RSs-@ Germ ends March 3, 1915.