The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-07-11

'Sfs'D WV ~ I
gratitude to Senator Tillman for the
development of the navy. He had the
vision Of a powerful navy and lived to
carry through measures that have
enabled 1t to reach its present high
state Of efficiency and the legislation
he championed will give to America a
lighting navy worthy Of our great re-
public.
1T was under the leadership OF SEN
atoE 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 presidents, can not
be 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 craftsmanship Of the senate COM
; mittee.
The navy in every function had
been helped by his intelligent interest
II 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 Is
second only to my regret because his
| death iS "a national 1~,, III, ,,t>,
for a great navy. his large contribu.
loh 10 making the navy ready for the
great work it is doing, his inspiring
faith and his true Am%ericanism mado
MIN a tower Of strength to his country
IN these perilous days. His integrity,
his courage mt his singleness OF pur.
pose, coupled with ability OF a high
order made him n 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
VI liz senate ana
MS work in that position, after the
united States entered the great war,
was considered by his colleagues to be
OF great value.
AS a acnator, Mr.. Tillnan quickly
won a wide reputation through the
country for Dlainness md bluntness of
speech which. combined with his op-
parent rough exterior and somewhat,
careless manner Of dress made him a
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
seal IN the senate, following his first
election to that body in 1894, Senator
Illlman o his picturesque nicki
name OF "Pitchfork Ben a character.
lZation which he did not resent. In n
speech he shattered all traditions
or the senators by taking re noor so
soon after becoming a me. nber and
1urther indicated his disregard of
these senatorial usages by
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 p%itchfork.
His intimate knowledge Of the best
IN literature showed that he was not
the uncultured man the senators had
pictured him. despite the brusuue
manner and outsDoken ways.
Mr.. Tillman's career in the senate
was full. OF interesting episodes,
prominent among which was his con.
hict with Colonel Roosevelt partly
growing out Of a dispute over the dis.
position OF Southern Pacific Railroad
n in Oregon; and Senator Till.
mans persistent and ultimately sue.
cessful fight against President Roose.
velt's appointment of DR.. Crum, a ne.
gro as collector OF the port of Char,
lesion.
Senator Tillman was the last OF SOW.
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 Gilbert
county. Georgia, and two sons and
three daughters, b.. r.. TIllman, Jr, Ia
one or the senators secretaries. Cant.
Henry G.. 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. TIN
set up housekeeping on a part OF the
Illlman estate. where they lived until
the end OF tho ahcopd for,, 49,.