The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-03

Benjamin yam T,llm2n was one o.
the most extraordinary members OF
the United States Senate In which
body he served continuously for
twenty.iour years. DJr,ag the latte
part OF his service he was chairmca
OF the Naval Affairs Committee OF tie
Senate and his work in th2t position,
the Unied states entered the
a war, was considered by his
. eagues 10 re Of great value.
As a Senator. Mr.. Tillnan quickly
EOn q vide reputation through Tire
country for p.Sinnsss and bluntnc
OF " sech which. combined with b.,
ar. rent rough exterior and somewhat
ca~c'rss manner OF dress made him
ri'sne figure in Congress. No enc
Attracted more attention when he rO.e
n rp"ak IN the Senate. His language
We always dramatic and he called
things by their simplest names. lie
Of rcle-scd to himself a. tho corn.
f"'i lawyer out Il was believed no
a. Is oc'y for the purpose OF showing
lr"' i'ti'e some OF the lawyers knc.
on some OF the Intricate questions
where common sense Yves more desir.
able than legal tecln.calities.
Within a month alter ne took hi
seat IN the Senate, following his first
election TO that body in 1894, Senator
ftllman won his picturesque ncE.
name OF "PitcnfOrk Ben" q character
i2atiOn which ne aid not fasoYt. IN
q speech he shattered all the tradi-
lions OF the Senators by taking the
floor so soon after becoming a mem.
Der and further indicated his digYe.
gard Of these Senatorial usaSes ny an.
r9Iaclng himself to be "a farmer. pure
end simple with no collateral occupa.
tea and declaring his intention OF
lLiding up some Of the Dgbiic Qucs.
items on his Di,ch.lork. Vhiic die i'm.
PRESTON made ulCp some o. his col.
leagues was not Gl,1-c;hor favorable.
MS methods convinced them that lie
was a vigorous fighter and a person.
eiity to be reckoncd with 50 long as
youth Carolina should continue 10
kehd him to the Senate. Hi- Intimate
knowledge OF :hC best in literature
showed that he was not the rrcu rr~cl
man the Senator's had pictured him,
aespite tho brus1ue manner and out.
spoken ways.
NJ. Tillman'S career IN the Senate
was full OF interesting episodes. prom.
met among which was his EXCHANGE
q blows with mis- colleague. Scnclor
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 were a sharp conflict
with Colonel Roosevelt partly gro.
ing out Of q dispute over the Cisro.,
ton Of Southern Pacific RailrocI
hnds IN Oregon: and Senator TIL.
mans persistent and ultimately gr,.
eessful Rght against President Roo.e.
Velts appointment OF DR.. Crum. 70.
gro. as collector Of the port of Char.
lesion.
Although. Of advanced age. Senator
Tillman gave evidences OF his ability
% retain his Office by engaging I'm
merry political contest with former
governor Blea3e, a candidate againe;
MN In the senatorial primaries of
1915. The Senator hal previously an.
bounced his intention to retire from
politics, but he reconsidered that do.
termination in the belief that his in.
innate knowledge OF naval aI,3ire
would be OF service to the country in
time OF war.
Born In Edgeheld county. South Car.
olina' August II. 1S47, Mr.. TiilnllD
received an anademc education. en-.
listed IN the Confederate ARMY in
1864 but saw no military service ow.
ng 70 fact that he lost the sight or
his LETT eye from a severe Illness 500,
after be enlisted. In 1868 he married
Sallie Stanke.
He was elected Governor OF South
carolina In 1890 and again IN 1892
llis services 10 that state included tho
Founding OF the Clemson ACrlcultural
ana Mechanical COLLEGE IT Nrt sam
tor boys, and the Wigshrop Normal
and Industrial College at Rock hin
tor girls. He was author OF the "a.
nous dispenSary system for selliIc Ii.
quoF under the control Of the state.
a HE long democrat, he participated
y the South Carolina Constitution.
convention which, in 1895 made edu.
cation . qualification Of suffrage. He
vas . central figure In the democratic
national conventions, Particularly in
those OF 1900 and 1904 He served for
years as meiaber OF the Democratic
National Committee.