Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-28
SENATOR JAMES,
KENTUCKY, DEAD
End Comes in Baltimore
Hospital After Long
Illness
DEFENDED PRESIDENT
Among First in Congress to
Rebuke Criticism of Wilson
Administration
PRESIDENT
By the United Press

baltimore. Aug. Is.
Senator Ollie NJ. James, Of Kentucky,
died at 6:35 o'clock this morning at the
Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he had
been a patient several months, suffering
from stomach trouble. When he was ad-
mitted to the institution, it was not be-
lieved that he was in any immediate
danger. but his condition became critical
several weeks ago. Senator James was
confident until his last hours that he
would recover. He was forty-seven
years old.
The death of Senator Ollie NJ. James
removes from the Senate one of its most
striking figures and one Of the staunch-
est friends Of the Administration.
He was an intimate friend of Presi-
dent Wilson and Secretary Tumulty.
A giant In stature, with a tremendous
voice. Senator James was known in ma
tional politics long before he took his
seat in. the Senate five years ago.
In House Five Terms
He served five terms in the House of
Representatives. had attended Demo-
cratic national conventions since 1896,
and presided at the tumultuous session
In Baltimore in 1912 when Wilson was
nominated Tor PRESIDENT.
Once in the Senate he soon became
one of the Administration leaders. His
famous speech last winter in defense of
the Administration's war policy was re-
garded by his friends as his best.
1t followed the now famous address
of Senator Chamberlain in New York,
when the chairman of the Military
Committee declared ihe military estab-
lishrnent had fallen Down.
President Wilson walks the tight
rope. 1t stretches across the sea with
its wreck and dead" declared James.
HE holds in his hands the richest
treasure ever lodged in the keeping of
one man since God said Let there be
light The treasure is our very life, our
liberty, our institutions, our homes, our
f1resides, our all.
"Do Not Shake the Rope"
Gentlemen. let me plead with you-
plead with all Americans-do not shake
the rope Do not badger him.. Do not
heckle him. Do not annoy him. He
will make the journey safely over this
ocean of blood and peril. Keep silence !
Hold your tongues!"
From the start of the war, the Presi-
dent had no more loyal supporter than
James. Administration policies were
stoutly supported by him.. Only on the
N'N "a oiii AN tlii -
differ with the nations head. He was
an anti" and remained so to the last.
AS a political leader James had few
peers. He was only twenty-five years
old when he attended his first Demo
cratic national convention.
Born in Kentucky
Senator James was born in Crittenden
County, KY. July 81, 1871, the son of
L. H: James. one Of the most promi.
nent lawyers in the Commonwealth. He
received his education, in the common
after his graduation entered his fathers
office and began the study of law. His
first political position was that of page
In the Kentucky Legislature in 1887.
Mr.. James was admitted to the bar In
1891. ant. RAPIDLY rose to a commanding
position in his profession. He was one
of the attorneys for Governor Goebel
in his celebrated contest for the office OF
himself so creditably that he was looked
upon as one of the rising men in the
Commonwealth. He began early to take
a keen interest in politics, and was ap.
pointed a delegate to the Democratic
National Convention In 1896, where he
was chosen chairman of the Kentucky
delegation. and made a speech second
ing the nomination of William Jennings
Bryan for the presidency: He also was
elected a delegate to the Democratic
National Convention in st. Louis III
1904 and in Denver four years later. a,
both of these he was again chosen tc
head the Kentucky delegation. He was
permanent chairman of the convention
son. of New Jersey, for President al
Baltimore in 1912. and Of the St. Louis
convention which renominated hing -four
years later in st. Louis. On both OF
the speech notifying Mr.. Wilson Of hi.
nomination.