The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-02-06
BREMNER LOSES HIS
BATTLE WITH DEATH
New Jersey Congressman
Unable to Overcome the
Dread Disease Cancer.
RADIUM FAILS TO CURE
President Wilson Sends Tele-
gram of Sympathy to
Sorrowing Widow.

| SHol va SyllPouly w
Sorrowing Widow.
BALTIMORE, Feb. 5.-Robert Gum
Bremner, who won his way to the ma
tional house Of representatives from tho
Seventh New Jersey district after a
career that was as varied, perhaps, as
| any ever sketched in the Congressional
Record, died today, He had been suffer
ing from cancer for four years and
came here last December TO undergo
radium treatment, although ne was told
there was not much hope Of prolonging
his life moro than a few months.
He was 80 years old and married, but
had no children. Funeral services will
be held at Passaic, N, j., whore the
body was taken tonight.
Born in Scotland.
| Born in the northernmost county on
| the mainland of Scotland, the heritage
of bravery handed down by Mr.. Brem-
ner's forefathers from their battles
with the sea sustained him through
many trying experiments as teacher,
| carpenter and electrician, soldier, re-
porter, editor, publisher and congress
man,
Mr. Bremner was stricken with ty-
phoid fever while a private in a New
Jersey regiment during the Spanish
American war and was obliged to re-
turn home, He borrowed money, bought
the Passaic Daily Herald when it was
facing it's end, and made it a profitable
enterprise.
In the same spirit he fought his lat
est battle and physicians who attended
q mi 10 foh Ja
kept him alive for many weeks
Improved for a Time.
For time the patient seemed to i'm
prove, and members Of his family fre
quently expressed the belief that he
would recover. They clung to this
hope until few days ago, when the
sick man was seized with sinking
spell From that time on Mr., Bremner
grew steadily weaker, although he sew
eral times rallied. In his last days of
suffering Mr.. Bremner insisted that he
would get well. He declared that he
wanted to go back to congress to fight
for bill 10 have q government-owned
radium Institute, so that this mineral
could be at the disposal of the rich and
poor alike.
Friend of President.
Mr.. Bremner was a warm personal
friend OF President Wilson, who was
kept constantly advised of his coudi-
tion aud who frequently sent him mos
sages of sympathy and encouragement,
accompanied by flowers.
Mr.. Bremner's election to congress
was accomplished while he lay in bed
i'll. He did not make a speech. The
election is said to have been tribute
to his pluck
On the night before the election
President Wilson, then governor of
New jersey, visited Passaic and made
a speech for Bremner.
MT. BremneT was native of Keiss
Caitbness, Scotland, whence his family
emigrated to Canada when he was
youth. His mother, Mrs. Alexander
Bremner, ia living in Camilla, Canada.
Wilson's Tribute.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-News of
Representative Bremner's death.
though not unexpected, was received in
Washington with profound sorrow
President Wilson tonight issued this
statement:
Bob 1 an pPeSssR2y dssRy evsd ed, by the loss Of
friend whom I greatly admired, and
was such man as attracts deep affec-
tlon. Throughout his suffering he
seemed never to think of himself, as
he certainly never spoke of himself,
and he was throughout as keenly in.
terested In the diEgent performance of
his public duties and in kindly Offices
to Others as if he had been free from
has gone out Of the world
To Mrs, Bremner the president sent
this telegram:
Allow me to express my deep SYM
pathy with you. I feel for mvseff 7
have lost a dear and an admirable
friend"
Shock to Friends.
Representative Bremner 8 death was
a shock TO his friends in congressional
circles, where his fight for life had
oeen watched with much sympathy.
After conferences between Speaker
Clark and Democratic Leader Under
wood it was determined not to adjourn
the house at once, because of the great
pressure of business, but a resolution
was agreed on for adjournment as soon
es the business arranged for the dav
had been disposed Of.
While Bremner was dying last night
the house was discussing his bill for q
bureau Of labor safety. It was his
hobby.
Family at Bedside.
Representative Bremner's wife. three
OF his seven brothers and A sister were
Al tho BEDSIDE WAen the end came The
patient practically had been unconscious
since Monday.
Among his last requests was that his
brother Leith should take over the busi-
ness of the Passaic Herald, of which he
was owner as we'll as editor, and also
that he should look after the Interests
Of his wife. He likewise requested that
E~l Il
JIG church q Passaic, assist at his fi,n
ersL Mr.. Bremner was not Catholic