Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-04-18
SEN. stones LONG
CAREER CLOSED
Succumbs to Paralytic Stroke
Was in Public Life
As Years

40 ears
Washington, April Ex-senator William |
]. Stone of Missouri, chairman OF the SEN |
ate foreign relations committee and for |
many years relations among democratic |
leaders, died here to-day after a stroke Of
paralysis suffered last Wednesday.
Senator William J. Stone was in public
life As years and during that long period
probably engaged in as many political con-
tests as any man Of his time, ranging all
the way from controversies over county
officers to the broadcast national issues.
At the entry of the United States into
the war, Senator Stone performed the
trying feat Of antagonizing his own party
administration and then realigning him.
self with 1t in O generally satisfactory
manner. 1t was in connection with the
bill proposing the arming OF American
merchant ships that he took sharp issue
with President Wilson. He stood with the
dozen senators whose opposition caused
the failure of that measure at the close
of the 64th Congress. and brought down
the denunciation Of the President upon
.'the wilful twelve While Senator stone
made no apologies for his course on that
strict line with his duty as a senator be-
cause in accord with his convictions, ana
as he believed, in protection Of Americas
interests.
His opposition to the declaration Of war
on Germany was also pronounced. and ne
declined to take charge OF the war reso-
luton as would have been expected OF MIN
| as chairman of the committee on roreieh
relations. He did not seek, however, to
place obstacles in the way of considera-
ton and transferred the leadership to
Senator Hitchcock, next ranking demo-
cratic member Of the committee. HIS at
titude on these two questions was SYM
bolical of his position toward the worlo
war He believed that American partlci-
patton should be avoided II possible. but
when the die was cast for war, he chang
ed over night. He took his place with the
supporters Of war measures and consist
emily maintained that attitude. He held
It incumbent upon him to stand with MS
| country regardless of his own views.
Although he had served in the House
of Representatives and had been governor
Of his State, Senator Stone first attracted
national attention In connection with MI
Bryan's first campaign for the presidency
in 1896. He became the Missouri member
of the national democratic committee and
soon took front rank among the Bryan
managers, justifying a reputation FOR
shrewdness and foresightedness he al
ready had gained in Missouri.
In national as we'll as In State politics
he worked quietly, seeking for enects. nc
this quality he owed the sobriquet OF
"Gum-shoe Bill and his friends say thai
he never sought to avoid the use of thai
name for himself
national committee led to his selection
as yice-chairman for Mr.. Bryan's secont
campaign. AS a consequence of their as
ISOLATION the two men became close
friends. and the intimacy continued unit
the democratic convention In 1912. wher
Stone led the fight for the nomination o
, Speaker Clark. The events of that tim
caused cooling of the friendship. al
though Senator Stone as chairman OF tn
| committee on foreign relations pu
through most Of the Bryan measure
while Mr.. Bryan was secretary of state
He was largely responsible for promp
ratification Of the long list Of Bryan peac
treaties of 1914.
: Since coming to the Senate in 1903. MI
3 Stone had been to the front on all I'm
/ portant questions. He also has pee
I active in what may be termed the policie
y
Q Senator Clark Of Arkansas to the offic
s of president pro tempore in succession
Senator Bacon of Georgia but shortl
Q afterward when Mr.. Clark lined up wit
J. a few other democrats in opposition
d the shipping bill he found no more sever
n critic than his former supporter an
e friend. Indeed Senator Stone seldol
: hesitated to attack any senator. democrs
or republican, who opposed what he b.
n lieved to be deserving administratio
Il measures.
Notwithstanding his pacifst attitud
Mr.. Stone was made chairman OF II
:, committee on resolutions at tho st. Lou
T. convention in 1916 and to him fell II
difficult work Of shaping the platform c
. which President Wilson was re-electe
:. He worked on that almost constantly Il
:, 4S hours. and never lost his composur
- As illustrating his capacity to say 'nt
!. in an inoffensive way an incident ms
~ be quoted. The suffrage plank was II
a subject Of much discussion and. as chat
RI man Of the committee. the Nilsson
senator was frequently called upon
y delegations of advocates OF equal right
m On one occasion they were especial
"a persistent. Senator Stone could not s;
re- what the committee would do but he
,e not make a speech. He simply said:
Girls, you are too blamed impetuous.
They went away good natured II n
satisfied.
A Kentuckian by nativity. born NJ
Z, 1S4S, Senator Stone removed to Nilsson
where he graduated from the Misso,
IN University and was admitted to the b
in 1869. He Immediately began to mantle
an interest in political affairs, and in 1
was prosecuting attorney Of Vern
county.
a. He came to Congress as a representa-
n. in the Forty-ninth Congress and was
he elected to the Fiftieth and Fifty-fl
mt congresses. serving from 1885 to 1891.
e. From 1898 to 1897 he was Governor
ge Missouri. Upon the death of George
ne Vest he was first elected to the Sens
s. in 1903. and was reelected in 1909 a
10 1915.
nd He married in 1874 and had three Oh
u dren.
&c TAKEC DECEOO