Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-11-26

! severe illness covered a period OF
ahoat six weeks, dating from the eff
| forts made in the joint political de-
| bate with Bourke Cochrane AT Balti-
more, late in September. Physicians
! compelled him to retire from the cam
paign Immediately after that, and he
returned to his Washington home.
where he died. at $50 O'Clock, this
morning.
For over five years. Senator Rayner
had been sufferer from neuritis, the
attacks often making his work in the
Senate arduous and painful. His death
creates vacancy in the Senate, that
probably win be filled by a Repubh-
can, through appointment by Governor
Goldsborough of Maryland. While the
Legislature of that state is Democrat
ic il does not meet, this winter, and
the Governors appointment will hold
through the opening sessions of the
next Congress.
Senator Rayner was one of the strik-
ing figures of the Senate He had been
a member of that body for almost eight
years and Was enc of its strongest de-
basers and a recognized authority on
matters IF constitutional law. Before
lie tnicItQ 1oHSieSS, ne l4gd aLtdliltd
a national reputation, because of his
vigorous conduct OF the late Admiral
Sehley's case before the naval court
of Inquiry. that investigated the action
OF Anerical officials in the battle with
Admiral Cervera's Spanish fleet.
Mr. Rayner WAS a native of Balti-
more and was s. years old. He was a
member of the Maryland Legislature,
when Is years Did. and served three
terms in The National House of Rep
resentatives. from 1886 to 1892. He was
elected to the United States Senate in
1901. after having served a 4years
term as attorney general of Maryland. |
As Il member of the committee on
foreign relations and the judiciary,
Senator Rayner devoted especial at
tention. during the last two years, to |
Americas foreign problems and con-
and legal questions. He was
a strong advocate of the abFogation |
of the treaty with Russia, because of |
that country's discrimination against |
held by American Jews. and |
exercised marked influence III get |
ting the Senate to endorse such action. |
The control of the United States |
Senate, after March 4, imay hinge on |
the death of Senator Rayner. The Re- |
publican whom ii is expected Gov.
will appoint in his place.
will hold office until. al least, tile |
Maryland Legislature meets in jan
uary. 1914.
Senator Rayner's death removes one |
of TIE Democrats on whom the control |
of the Senate depended in the new
Congress. With his vote the Democrat |!
ic leaders counted on mastering 40, or |
one more than Il majority of the total |
Of &c. In any event, As |
votes, with the vote of the Vice Presi-
dent, in case of a tie was looked upon |
as sufficient strength to insure control. |
While the Democrats still have an |
apparent strength of as, the death of
the Maryland senator reduced the sup |
posed majority to a point very near
the dividing line of party control.
Funeral services will be held at his |
former residence here, Wednesday aft |
ernoon. Interment will be in Rock |
Greek cemetery here.
The President, today, sent to Mrs. Ray
ner message of coincidence, in which he |
said Mrs Taft and l extend to you
our heartfelt sympathy in your great
sorrow. Senator Rayner and | were
warm friends and | feel deeply his loss.
Maryland and the country loses a con-
scientious and able public servant"