The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-16
nelson ALDRICH
dies IN "A Year
Continucd IRON First Page.

Continued IRON. First Page.
P, Aldrich, his son John D. Roekefel-
Ter, Jr.. Mr.. Aldrich S son-in-law, could
not be reached in time and was notified
of his death within few minutes after
he had died.
Mr.. Aldrich was porn in Foster, R.
l., in 1S41 and entered politics at the
age of "a. He served in the Rhode
Island Assembly and in 1879 was sent
to Congress. Two years later he was
elected United States Senator, He rep
resented Rhode Island in the Senate un-
til 1911, when he retired.
Sketch of Famous Career
Nelson Wilmarth Aldrieh held a
seat in the United States Senate con-
tinuously from 1881 to 1911. The
influence exerted by him on govern
mental affairs was best illustrated by
the fact that when he was satirically
introduced to an audience as 'the gem
eral manager of the United States, "
that appellation lived through the adj
ministration of Mckinley, Roosevelt
and Taft.
Probably the greatest parliament
tartan that ever served in the Senate,
Mr.. Aldrich had no difficulty in main
tanning leadership of his party. AL
though known among the veterans as
committee Senator, he was quite
as much at home ON the floor and nat
urally was more in evidence in the
larger arena. While he gave special at
tention to the tariff and financial leg
islation in committee, on the Senate
floor his ear was open for all that was
said on any subject of general i'm
portance.
Long Supreme in Party's Counsels
Naturally Mr.. Aldrich's long-contin-
ued supremacy in the counsels of his
party and in directing legislation
caused him to become the subject of
much adverse criticism. He was charg-
ed with bosSsm and with being the
tool of the "interests. Whether or
not this was true in the main, it can
DE said in fairness that some of these
assertions gained and held currency
because it was his policy never to de-
fend himself against published attacks.
He rarely permitted himself to be
quoted by the press.
The fact that his daughter was mar
ried to son of John ID. Rockefeller
served to strengthen the popular i'm
preston that Senator Aldrich was in
some way peculiarly friendly to the
oil magnate, and considerate of the So
called :" Rockefeller interests. Yet
when a friend of the Senator'S Is once
asked him for letter to Mr.. Rocke-
feller, Mr.. Aldrich replied:
"As | have met Mr.. Rockefeller
g 4 IL
ter would be of but little, if any, as
sistance to you.
Charge With Being Sectional
In legislation he was charged with
being sectional. This is hardly borne
out by the facts, and more than once
he gained his points by utilizing the
conflict of interests between West and
South and East.
A temporary opponent within his
own party when suddenly deprived of
thes floor during a debate on proposed
currency reforms expostulated in vain
AS he took his seat he said: s'The
Senate no longer is the great forum of
free speech, at least not when the SEN
ator from Rhode Island is here. -
Successor to Famous Burnside
Born in Foster, r. l., November 6,
1S41, he first appeared in public office
as member of the common council in
the city of Providence. He was elected
to the Rhode Island assembly in 1875,
and four years later sent to Congress.
After two sessions he was elevated to
the Senate, as successor of General As
brose E. Burnside.
Upon his selection to the Senate, he
was Immediately made chairman of the
Committee on Rules. and member of