Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-11-25

Wilson next spring. This means a gain
in the republican strength in the upper
House and a loss to the democratic. With
the results in Illinois and Tennessee still
In doubt. this will mean that the demo
Gratis will have forty-eight votes and the
republicans forty-five in the special SEES
sion. Should Illinois and Tennessee send
republicans, the Senate would stand tied
AS to 49,
May Affect Legislation.
Owing to this narrow margin of con-
troll Of the Senate by the democrats, the
death of Senator Rayner and the substi-
tuition Of a republican for a democrat
may have a direct bearing on the legisla-
tive results OF the special session next
spring.
In the senatorial primaries to be held
throughout the state Of Maryland next
fall the voters will be called on to indi-
cate their preference not only for q sue
successor to Senator John Walter Smith.
democrat, whose term ends March 4. 1915
Prominent Since 1886.
Isidor Rayner Of Maryland had been
identified with Congress. first the House
and in recent years the Senate. and con-
spicuous in the councils Of the democratic
party since 1886, although he was absent
for few years while serving his state
as Its attorney general. During all his
years Of service in the national legisla-
ture he was conspicuous as an authority
on constitutional law. His advice in legal
matters was eagerly sought by his fell
loW-members, both in the House and in
the Senate. and when questions involving
an Interpretation of the Constitution
came up on the floor of the body of
which he was a. member Mr.. Rayner was
almost invariably one of the ablest
speakers.
Sometimes he disagreed on constitu-
tional questions with other members or
Congress who were looked up to as con-
stitutional lawyers. but he was ever
ready to announce his position and to
defend it: often getting into warm de-
the rough and tumble debate as for a
set speech, and the respect for him in
Congress was in large measure due to his
ability to hold up his end Of debate.
Native Of Baltimore.
Isidor Rayner was born in Baltimore
August II. 1850. After obtaining his early
education in the public schools he went
to the University Of Maryland and the
University OF Virginia. At the latter in
stitution he took both the academic and
the law courses. Returning to Balti-
more, he was admitted to the bar in 1870.
and since that time had been practicing
Ais profession in the Monumental city.
His standing at the bar soon became en-
viable.
Maryland legislature for two years and
he served on the judiciary committee and
as chairman of the Baltimore delegation.
In 1885 he was elected to the state senate
for four years, serving on the judiciary
committee of the upper house. Resigning
his Office in the state senate In the middle
Of his term, he became candidate for
Congress in 1886 and was elected. He
was appointed a member Of the foreign
relations and interstate and foreign COM
mere committees. He was elected for a
second and third term, but declined re-
election for the fourth. He was there
upon chosen attorney general for the
state stat OF Maryland serving from 1899 to
1915.
Elected to Senate in 1904.
In 1904 he was elected to the United
States Senate to succeed the late Louis
E. McComas. republican. for the term
beginning March 4. 1905. He had no op-
position when he came up for election
six years later and, following a primary
in which he received a f1attering indorse-
ment, was chosen by the legislature to
succeed himself for the term beginning
March 4. 1911.
Mr. Rayner's standing as a constitu-
tional lawyer and his liking for work that
involved legal questions was recognized
by leaders of the Senate who made up
the committee assignments, and Mrs Ray
ner, soon after his service in the Senate
began. was made a member of the Senate
judiciary committee. His familiarity
lit ~ f-k4 l..
made him valuable member for the
Senate foreign relations committee and
for several years he sat with that COM
nittee
Mr.. aayner was the ranking democratic
member Of the Senate committee on edu-
cation and labor, and had he lived prob
ably would have become it's chairman
when the democrats take control of the
Senate March 4 next. Mr. Rayner was
chairman Of the minority committee on
Indian depredations and also d member
Of the Senate committees on civil serv-
ice and retrenchment. expenditures in the
Department Of Justice. geological survey.
industrial expeditions and transp ortation
routes to the seaboard.
Shortly after the termination of the
Spanish-American war and after he had
left the House. Mr.. Rayner came into the
public eye OF the nation by his defense
of Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley
during the Sampson-Schley controversy.
Mr.. Rayner was at the time attorney
general for Maryland Close friends of
the rear admiral in Maryland turned to
Mr.. Rayner as an able counselor for the
naval officer who was under fire and
persuaded Mr.. Rayner to take an active
part in the defense. Mr.. Rayner showed
that the confidence of those who appealed
to him was not misplaced and he proved
an able champion Of the Santiago commo.
dore.
Plea for Mrs. Schley.
One of Senator Rayner's latest orator..
cal accomplishments was his speech in
behalf of a pension of $125 a month for
Mrs. Annie r. Schley. widow of Reaa
Admiral Schley. The Senate committee on
pensions. in passing on r. Rayner's bill
giving a pension OF $125 a month. cut the
amount OF the pension to be allowed to
about a third of the sum proposed. Sena-
tor Raynor took exception to the proposed
cut in view of the distinguished services
C-l1