Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1918-07-11

name OF q loyal fighter whose VII
tories strengthened the navy.
THE country owes a lasting debt of
gratitude to Senator Tillman for the
development Of the navy. He had the
vision Of powerful navy and lived to
cary through measures that have
enabled 1t to reach its present high
stste Of efficiency and the legislation
he championed will give to America a
fighting navy worthy OF our great re-
public
1T was under the leadership Of Sen
ator Tillman that the three year build
Ing program was enacted before Am
erica entered this war. That construc-
tive piece Of legislation, a radical de-
parture from all precedents. can not
he appraised at its true value today.
Only when all the mighty ships pro-
vided in that bill are commissioned
Will the country fully appreciate it's
obligation to Senator Tillman and his
associates. That was his most lasting
service, but was only one Of the
many wise measures enacted under
his chairmanship OF the senate COM
mittee.
THE navy in every function had
been helped by his intelligent interest
and service. He knew all the chief
naval officers and kept in touch with
all naval activities. He was beloved
BY every man In the navy and in
spirit all will be in mourning when his
body Is laid to rest"
In speaking of Senator Tillman's
death, Secretary Daniels said:
my sense of personal sorrow 10
second only to my regret because his
death is national loss. His vision
for great navy his large contribu-
tion to making the navy ready for the
great work 1t is doing. his inspiring
faith and his true Americanism made
him tower OF strength TO his country
In these perilous days. His integrity
his courage and his singleness OF pur.
pose. coupled with ability OF a high
order made him one of the great
national figures of our day. He will
live In history as one of South Caro-
lian's great leaders
Benjamin Ryan Tillman was one OF
the most extraordinary members of
the United States senate, in which
body he served continually for "a
years. During the latter part OF his
service he was chairman OF the naval
affairs committee OF the senate and
his work in that position. after the
united States entered the great war,
was considered by his colleagues to be
of>great value.
AS senator, Mr.. Tiliman quickly
won a wide reputation through The
country for plainness and bluntness of
speech which, combined with his ID.
parent rough exterior and somewhat
careless manner OF dress made him n
unique figure in congress. No one
attracted more attention when he rose
to speak In the senate. His language
was always dramatic and he called
things by their simplest names.
Within a month after he took his
seat In the senate, following his first
election to that body in 1894, Senator
Tillman won his picturesque nick
name Of "Pitchfork Ben" a character.
ization which he did not resent. In a
speech he shattered all the traditions
or the senators by taking the floor so
soon after becoming a member and
further indicated his disregard of
these senatorial usages by announc.
ing himself to be a farmer. pure and
simple with no collateral occupation"
and declaring his intention OF holding
up some OF the public questions on
his pitchfork.
His intimate knowledge OF the best
In literature showed that he was NOT
the uncultured man the senators ha3
pictured him, despite the brusqus
manner and outspoken ways.
Mr.. Tillman's career in the senate
was full OF interesting episodes.
prominent among which was his con.
fict with Colonel Roosevelt partly
growing out OF dispute over the dis.
position OF Southern Pacific Railroad
lands In Oregon; and Senator Till.
mans persistent and ultimately sue.
cessful fight against President Roose
yelt's appointment OF DR.. Crum, a ne.
gro. as collector OF the port of Char
lesion.
Senator Tillman was the last of sew.
en- sons. he is survived by one sis
ter. Mrs. Henry G. Simpson, who re-
sides with her son-in-law, Mr.. and Mrs
John b. Rasor. OF Greenville.
Besides his widow, who was for
merly Miss Sarah Starke OF Ebert
county. Georgia. and two sons and
three daughters. B. r. Tillman, Jr.. is
one OF the senators secretaries. Can't.
Henry c. Tillman is now in the army.
The three daughters are: Mrs. Char.
les Moore OF Atlantic City. n. j.: Mrs.
Henry Hughes OF Portland Ore, and
Mrs. John Shuler OF Washington, d. c.
Senator Tillman lived his whole life
in Edgefeld county. He and Mrs. Til.
set up housekeeping on a part OF the
Tillman estate, where they lived until
the end Of the second term OF Gov.
ernor Tillman in 1895. when they
bought farm at Trenton and resided
there continuously since.
While Sherman was making his
march through Georgia to the sea,
Senator Tillman. Lad Of II years.
refugeed with friends in Ebert coun-