Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-29
SEN. OLLIE JAMES
DIES At BALTIMORE

Baltimore. Md, Aug. Ex-senator Oh
lie NJ. James of Kentucky died at Johns
Hopkins hospital today of an acute az
lection of the kidneys.
Senator James had been patient cs
the hospital for about three months
Physicians at first believed he had
good chance to regain his health and an
operation was performed. Later his con-
dtion became more serious and trans
fusion of blood was made on several oc.
casions. He rallied recently when il:
formed OF his denomination to the Sem
ate and for time held his own, bat
later his condition again became gravs
and he steadily grew weaker.
Ollie NJ. James was one Of the most
picturesque and forceful figures in Con
gress as we'll as popular idol among
Kentucky Democrats He ranked high
in leadership in both houses during his
successive service in the House and Sem
ate. and his towering physique and pow
crful voice always commanded atten-
ton in legislative convention halls. He
was nominated to succeed himself in the
Senate in the recent Kentucky Demo-
cratic primaries by an overwhelming
vote
After the United States entered the
war in 1917 Senator James became one
Of the most aggressive Senate spokes-
men OF the administration and cham
rion of the army and navy preparations.
His last appearance at the Capitol was
on February IA last to deliver a fiery
speech in answer to an attack upon the
war department by Senator Chamber
lain. chairman of the military commit
tee. He appealed to all Americans not
to heckle, badger or handicap the Pres
ident and declared we are going to
make the Kaiser hand over his sword"
Three days later he was taken il;
at a dinner. Several weeks after
ward he insisted on returning TO the
Senate but was too weak to take any
part and son went to Johns Hopkins
Hospital in Baltimore. He was oper-
ated on in an effort to stay the rev.
ages of a chronic ase Of Brights dis
ease
Mrs. James. and a brother, Edgar
James, United States Marshal for the
Western district of Kentucky. were
with the Senator at the hospital dur
ing his long fight for life. Many
members of both houses of Congress
went over to Baltimore frequently to
pay cheering visits.
Other relatives of the Senator arc
his sisters. Miss Lizzie James, who
lives with her father at the James
Homestead at Marion, Ky. and Mrs.
j. r. Gordon of Madisonvillc. and his
father. Judge s. Fl. James of Marion.
Mrs. James was formerly Ruth
Thomas of Marion, Ky. She was
married TO Senator James in 1908.
Senator James was q prophet Of
democratic success in every political
contest and an outspokcn partisan on
all occasions. In 1912 he was per-
manent chairman of the National
Democratic Convention at Baltimore.
which nominated Wilson. He made
the Keynote speech on Democratic
achievements at the st. Louis Demo-
tialiC -NdtioHdl convention IN 13lb
and drew from that gathering Of
10000 persons cries Of Give it to US
again. Ollie" when epitomizing
President Wilson's policies. He made
the speech notifying President Will
son of his election 10 the Presidency
in September. 1916.
Senator James was AZ years old.
He began public life as page in the
Kentucky legislature. He seconded
BYyan's nomination for President in
1905, headed the Kentucky delegation
to damocratic national conventions in
1904 and 1908, served in the House in
the 5sth 10 e2nd Congresses and has
heen in the Senate since 1913, when
he succeeded Thomas Fl. raynter