New-York tribune., 1918-06-05
c. w. Fairbanks,
Vice ce-President
l9O5-'O9, Dead
Continued from page 1

opportunity took him into carpentry.
He quickly found himself tempera-
mentally untitled for this pursuit and
used it only as means or purchasing
law books. With another farmer boy
he lived In a tiny attic room, working
his way under difficulties through Ohio
| Wesleyan University.
After graduating Fairbanks stepped
INTO newspaper fields, becoming Pitts
burgh representative Of The Associated
Press. He covered the rally of the
Democrats and Liberal Republicans in
1872 and heard Horace Greeley's
memorable address. He referred to
mis- newspaper experience with affec-
tlonate pleasure in later life.
After year in Pittsburgh he went to
Cleveland, completing his law course
there. While clerk in law Office in
Columbus, in 1874, he was admitted
to the bar. About the same time he
married Miss Cornelia Cole, culminat
ing romance which began when the
couple were co-cditors Of the college
paper. The couple went to Indianapo-
lis and established their permanent
home.
Through his uncle, William Henry
Smith, general manager of The Asso-
clated Press and interested widely in
railroads, he obtained an entry into
corporation law practice. His sagacity
and power of thought and argument
soon placed him, though still compare
lively young, on firm financial and
professional basis. He became a resi-
dent of the most fashionable section
of the city, his family becoming socially
prominent.
Although always an earnest Repub-
! lican, he did not become widely identi-
fed with politics until 1888, when he
managed the candidacy of Walter @.
Gresham for the Republican Presiden-
tial nomination. He campaigned ac-
nominee. He was made chairman of
the Indiana state convention in 1892
and again in 1898. In 1893 the Re-
publican caucus in the state Legis-
lature nominated him for Senator, but
he was defeated. He was delegate-at-
large from Indiana to the ST. Louis
Republican convention in 1896 and
served as temporary chairman.
Elected to U. s. Senate
BY margin OF twenty-one votes Mr..
Fairbanks became Senator from Indi-
ana in 1897, to succeed the picturesque
Daniel w. Voorhees,, a Democrat, the
"tall sycamore of the Wabash" When
the Canadian commission was formed,
iE 1898, to settle the differences be-
tween this country and Canada, Mr..
Fairbanks was appointed chairman of
the United States commissioners.
Those who knew him while he was
Senator describe him as strict in
his attendance on his duties in office,
a thorough student Of all public ques-
tions and forcible and practical
speaker. In 1903 he was reelected to
the Senate. The whole country was
made aware of his political and con-
structive talents at the Republican con-
! vention in Philadelphia, in 1900, when
as chairman Of the committee on reso-
lutions he reported the party's plat
form. He was strongly spoken of as
candidate for VicePresident, as Nc
Kinleys running mate.
His selection as second man on the Re-
publican ticket in 1904 was practically
unopposed. On March 4, 1905, he re-
signed from the Senate to become Vice
President In 1908, while still Vice
President, he became a candidate for
the Presidency, opposing William II.
Taft. He was defeated, and after his
term as ce-President expired re-
turned to his law practice.
Mr.. and Mrs Fairbanks made globe
circling tour, lasting year, which
ended in March, 1910. Considerable
publicity was given to an incident oc
curing in Rome, when Mr.. Fairbanks
was denied an audience with the Pope
because, it was said, he refused to
cancel an engagement to address the
American Methodist Church in the
Italian capital. The episode created
international discussion.
Mr.. Fairbanks was frequently. in
1909 and 1910, mentioned for appoint
ment as ambassador to England and
to China. but nothing developed.
At the Chicago convention. in 1916,
Mr.. Fairbanks was candidate for the
Presidential nomination, but later
agreed to accept the second place on
the ticket, his support being thrown
to Justice Hughes. After the election
he retired to a comparative political
obscurity.
Mr. Fairbanks is survived by four
sons and one daughter. The latter is
Mrs. John w. Timmons. Mrs. Fair
banks. one of the capitals favorites
J for her brilliancc and knowledge while
Mr.. Fairbanks was Senator and Vice