Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-01
". {. CHANDLER
Former Secretary of the
Navy Dead
Largely Responsible for Beginning Of
Modern v. S. Navy-Member of v.
S. Senate for IA Years-Stricken
Last March in Washington

Concord y H.. Nov. 30-William
Eaton Chandler. who was secretary OF
the navy in President Arthur's cab
met, was largely responsible for the be-
ginning of the modern United States
navy. died at his home here today.
! Mr.. Chandler was a member of the
United States Senate for IA years, hav-
! ing been appointed to fill an unexpired
/ term in 1887 and twice reelected.
While in Washington last March Mr.
, Chandler was stricken with illness. He
was able to return to New Hampshire
later and passed the sumner at his
country estate in Waterloo. This fall
he came TO his home here, where his
health steadily failed.
Mr.. Chandler. who was borp in 1885
il, this city. has followed with great in
terest the work of the navy in the
present war. one of his sons, Captain
Lloyd II. Chandler. T.. S. n. is in com l.
nsand of battleship. Three other sons
survive, William ID. Chandler. publisher
OF the Concord Monitor; James g.
Chandler and John p. Hale Chandler
all Of this city.
Father Of New Navy
In lifetime of endless political ac-
tivty and almost continuous controver-
sy, the one title freely accorded by men
o. al parties to William Eaton Chand
lor was that of Father of the New
United States Navy" AS secretary of
the navy under President Arthur. Mr.
Chandler. on June II. 1883. approved
the plan for the reorganization of the
navy which resulted in the develop
ment of the present fighting fleet In
q speech in the Senate on Jan. &c, 1915,
Senator Tillman of South Carolina, re-
feTrinS to the reading into the record
: of letter from Mr. Chandler regard
ing the naval bill then pending said:
Senator Chandler has had varied
experience in naval affairs He was
secretary Of the navy under President
Arthur. and really began the construc-
tinn Of the new navy. He was on the
naval committee when I first came tc
Washington. in 1896. and was at that
time one of the ablest men in the
Senate. Although he has recently en-
tered Isis S0th year, his mind is stiff
alert and vigorous. While he is a
Republican and | am a Democrat, we
have always been warm persona
friends. Necessarily he is better post
ed on naval affairs than almost any
man in Washington. not excepting
even the navy department ITSELF
4 This praise from so prominent a
/ Democrat was peculiarly significant
/ nasmuch as the Democrats We're very
slow to forgive MI. Chandler for the
part he played as a member of the
/ Electoral Commission in placing Ru-
thertord b. Hayes in the White House
Democratic revenge was wreakeG
when the Senate. in 1881 refused tc
confirm President Garfied's appoint
ment Of Mr.. Chandler as solicitor gen.
eral.
Born at Concord. ~ H.. Dec %, 1885
! Mr.. Chandler was educated at acade.
mics in New Hampshire and Vermont
and was graduated from the Harvard
/ LaweSchool at the age of 10. One oil
! his Classmates at the law school was
! Joseph IT. Choate. He entered poll
! tics at once. served three terms in the
( New Hampshire House of Representa-
: tives and was elected speaker Of the
! House when but q years old. His
| first entrance into national politica
affairs was as one OF the founders OF
! the Republican party and a support
err of Abraham Lincoln President
Lincoln appointed him solicitor ant
: judge advocate general of the navy
/ in 1865, and three months later he be.
/ came first assistant secretary of the
treasury.
While secretary of the navy, Mr.
Chandler organized the expedition
which. under the command of Captain
! Winfield S. Schley, went to the relief
party.
I Fourteen years of service in the
{ United States Senate ended when Mr.
Z Chandler was defeated for renomina.
! ton in 1901 by Henry l.. Burnham
! His radical views on railroad legisla-
! ton. which brought him in opposition
to Republican party leaders. were re-
sponsibe for this defeat During the
remainder of his life Mr. chandler
made many attacks on what he con
sidered the undue influence eXerted by
railroads. in New England politics. Hi,
last federal position was that of presi
dent of the Spanish War Claims Com.
mission. to which he was named by
! President Mckinley in 1901 and reap
! pointed by President Roosevelt.
/ Mr.. Chambers legal talent was dis
played when, as chief counsel. he car,
ried through many stages in state ant
federal courts the suits in which il
was sought to break the will of Mrs
Mary Baker G.. Eddy. founder of til,
I Christian Science church
READFIELD