New-York tribune., 1918-07-04
paralytic Stroke Fatal to
"Pitchfork Ben," of
South Carolina
In. Congress "a Years
State Senatorial Campaign Is
Complicated by Death of
Aged Statesman

South Carolina, veteran OF twenty
.our years. service in Congress and
chairman of the Senate Naval Affairs
Committee, died at his home here to-
dsy as the result of cerebral hemor-
rhsge suffered Thursday.
As Governor of South Carolina, as q
leader in the Southern wing of the
Democratic party and as an active par
tic,pant in the last generations growth
Of the American navy, Senator Tillmsn
had been prominently before the public
for many years. Senator Swanson, of
Virginia, probably will be his successor
as head of the naval committee, to
which Senator Tlllman had devoted al
most his exclusive interest in Congress
.ional legislation for many years. He
had been its chairman since 1918, and
was one of the most ardent "bg navy"
advocates, being among the first to urge
extension of submarine construction
and government manufacture of armor
plate.
Affects State Campaign
Senator Tillman had been in failing
health for several years. His wife and
all members of his family except son
suffering from minor operation in q
Southern army camp we're at the bed
side.
Senator Tillman's death promises an
upheaval in South Carolina politics, in
which he had been leader for more
than generation. He died in the heat
Of the Senatorial primary campaign, in
which his longtime political opponent.
former Governor Cole NJ. Blease, is con-
testing for nomination to the Senate.
Stating that he desired to continue
serving his country and state during
the war by giving them the benefit of
his long experience with naval affairs,
Senator Tillman recently revoked s de-
cisioa not to be candidate for reelec-
ton, and Repres Lever. of
South Carolina, another candidate,
withdrew.
"a Years in Senate
BENJAMIN Ryan Tillman was one of
the most extraordinary members of
the United States Senate, in which body
he served continuously for twenty-four
wears. 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 a Senator. Mr.. Tillman quickly
won wide reputation through the
country for plainness and bluntness of
speech, which, combined with his ap-
parent rough exterior and somewhat
careless manner Of dress. made him a
unique figure in Congress. No one
attracted more attention when ne rose
to speak in the Senate. His language
was always dramatic and he called
things by their simplest names. He
often referred to himself as corn
field lawyer, but it was believed he did
- so only for the purpose of showing
how little some OF the lawyers knew
on some of the intricate questions
where common sense was more de-
srable than legal technicalitics were.
Within month after he took HIS
seat in the Senate, following his first
election to that body in 1894, Senator
Tillman won his picturesque nickname
of "Pitchfork Ben," a characterize
ton which he did not resent. In a
speech he shattered all the traditions
Of the Senators by taking the floor so
soon after becoming a member, and
further indicated his disregard Of these
Senatorial usages BY announcing him
self 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.
A Vigorous Fighter
While the impression made upon
some of his colleagues was not alto
gether favorable, his methods con-
VnreN fhoro frof ho
fighter and d personality to be reck-
oned with SO long as South Carolina
should continue to send him 20 the
Senate. His intimate knowledge of the
best in literature showed that he was
not the uncultured man the Senators
had pictured him, despite the brusque
manner and outspoken ways
Mr.. Tillman's career in the Senate
was full of interesting episodes, prom
lnent among which was his exchange
OF blows with his colleague, Senator
McLaurin. over an incident which oc-
Cured in the executive session, which
cost him an invitation by President
Roosevelt to meet Prince Henry of
battenberg at a White House dinner
Other incidents we're a sharp conflict
with Colonel Roosevelt. partly growing
cut Of a dispute over the disposition of
Southern Pacific Railroad lands in
OtcSol, ana senator llilHan s perSlS-
tent and ultimately successfully fight
against President Roosevelt's appoint
ment Of DR.. Crum, a negro, as Collec-
tor of the Port of Charleston.
Although OF advanced age, Senator
iilman gave evidences of his ability
to retain his Office by engaging in Il
merry political contest with former
Goyernor Blesse, candidate against
nm in the Senatorial primaries of 1918.
Inc Senator had previously announced
ms intention to retire from politics,
out ne reconaidered that determination
IN the belief that his intimate knowl-
edge of naval affairs would be of ser
wee to the country in time of war.
Entered Confederate Army
Born in Edgeiield County, South
carolina, August IL, I947. Mr.. Tillman
received an academic education. He
snIlsted in the Confederate army in
1864, but saw no military service, owing
70 the fact that he lost the sight Of his
ieft eye from severe illness soon
aver he enlisted. In 1868 he married
sallie Starke
he was elected Governor of South
carolina in 1890 and again in 1892.
aus services to that state included the
rounding of the Clemson Agricultural
ssnd Mechanical College, at Fort Hill,
.or boys, and the Winthrop Normal
enc Industrial College. at Rock Hill,
nj VII