The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1912-11-26
BRILLIANT CAREER ENDED
States Most Distinguished Citizen
and Statesman Dies After
Long Illness.

devotion TO those principles or De-
mocracy laid down by Thomas Jeff
erson. His every vote in Congress
and his every utterance on public
questions revealed this devotion and
the profound study which had dis
ciplined and guided 1t.
Many factors contributed to this
striking note in the dead states
mans life. He was, first of all,
a man of unusual human sympathy,
having a heart that beat warmly to
humanity's needs and hopes. This
human sympathy naturally shaped
itself into years-lonG effort in
the field of government directed to-
ward alleviating the burdens of the
weak as against the conscious or
unconscious expressions Of the
powerful.
1t was augmented by his racial
sympathy for the down-trodden. His
father, the late VIM. S. Rayner,
one of the early Hebrew leaders in
the business world, was noted for
his broad and deep charity and
helpfulness to all the burdened, and
the son was nurtured in that mode
of life.
Upon natural tendencies of that
kind his years at the University of
Virginia, where all students are
said to be soundly and finally i'm
pregnated with Jefferson's teach
ings, fell on fertile soil, operated
with moving power.
The young man entered upon his
career a devoted disciple of the
Sage of Monticello, of the scion of
old Virginia's aristocracy, who did
most to shape and mold the Demo-
cratic principles of a new country.
Mr.. Rayner was born in Baltimore
April II, 1850. His earliest educa-
ton was obtained in the public
schools Later he attended private
academies in preparation for col
lege.
1t was during these years that
his purpose to follow public career
was formed. Men who were at
school with him say he applied him
self assiduously to cultivation of
work.
He studied history and philoso-
ply with avidity and practised al
most daily outdoor oratorical ex-
ercises. Having little taste for fri
volous things, these preparations
had uninterrupted sway, and soon
began to show fruition. The boy
became marked as one destined for
larger opportunities.
After his work in the academies
he entered the law school of the
University of Maryland. In due
course he graduated, and then went
to the University of Virginia. There
he spent three years in the aca-
demic department and one in the
department of law.
At the Virginia University he was
active in the oratorical societies
which play so prominent part in
the scholastic life there. He was
a member of the Jefferson Society,
and when Is years of age was chos-
en- the university orator, his sub
ject being Religious Liberty
He returned to Baltimore after
graduation and became a law stu
dent in the noted old legal firm of
Brown & Bruno. In 1871, having
attained his majority, he was ad-
mitted to the bar.
Success followed Immediately. He
became noted as a learned lawyer,
his penchant for study of the Con-
stitution being an early character
istic, and as capable trial lawyer.
For 5 years he gave himself up to
the law and to the general duties
of leading citizen, except for ser
vice in the House of Delegates at
the session of 1878. He was promi-
nent at that session and acting
chairman of the Judiciary Commit
tee
In 1886, however, his political
career began and practically lasted
until his death, with slight inter-
ruptions.
That year he became member
of the State Senate from Baltimore
city. Again his principal legisla-
tive work was in the Judiciary Com
mirtee.
In the Congressional elections of
1856 he was elected to the House
Of Representatives and resigned
from the State Senate in the early
part of 1887 to take his seat in
Congress.
Almost from the moment of his
entrance upon the broader arena
Of public life was he a nationally
noted man. Few men from Mary
land in it's whole history have so
quickly attained commanding promi-
nence in the national Legislature,
and fewer have held it so long, as
Senator Rayner, by the sheer power
OF learning and ability.
He was leading member of the
important Committee on Foreign
Relations, of the great Committee
on Commerce and of the Commit
tees on Weights and Measures and
Coinage. He was also chairman of
the Committee on Organization, one
of almost unlimited power.
In the great debate on the re-
peal of the Sherman silver pur-
chase act, Mr.. Rayner opened for
those favoring the repeal and at
tracted nationwide attention. He
had been earnest and indefatigable
in preliminary labors to that end,
one of his chief so-workers being
former Congressman w. Bourke
Corkran.