Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-22
GEORGE T. OLIVER.
EX-SENATOR, DIES
Succumbs to Long Illness
at His Home in
Pittsburgh
WAS ACTIVE IN POLITICS
Active Career Crowned by
Success-Born in Ireland,
but American Citizen
WAS ACTIVE IN POLITICS

/
Pittsburgh. Jan. 22.-Former United
States Senator George r oliver died nt
his home here this morning after a
lingering illness
George Tener Oliver, though a native
of Ireland, had all the legal claims to
American nativity, having been born in
County Tyrone while his parents, then
| residents of Allegheny City. we're visit
ing the birthplace Of his mother, on
January &c, ls4S His whoie life was
spent in Allegheny County. where for
many years he was a potent figure in
steel and kindred industries and a poll
ttcal power of recognized force and infiu-
ence.
He was educated in the public schools
OF Allegheny. at Pleasant Hill Academy.
o,iss WGst MidSistown M.s, yIrI PA and at Bethany
graduated in 1868 He studied law and
was admitted to the bar of Allegheny
County in 1871. After an active prac-
tice of ten years he retired In 1881 and
ing.
In the summer Of 1900 Mr.. Oliver pur-
chased the Pittsburgh Gazette and later
Telegraph. ' In sos % the pit,sbursh %
Gazette and the Pittsburgh Times were
merged and are now published under the
name of the Gazette-Tmes. He re-
mained the principal owner Of both pa
pers up to the time OF his death. He
was president of the Youngstown Car
Manufacturing Company. at Youngstown,
eral financial and industrial corporations
In Pittsburgh.
His Election to the senate
Mr. oliver. prior to his election to the
United States Senate In 1909 to fill the
uneXpirod term of Philander c. Knox,
who had been appointed Secretary Of
public Office except that OF president
of the central hoard OF education in
Pittsburgh. which position he occup' ed
from 1881 to 1884. when he resigned
He was reelected to the Senate for
the full term, l9ll-i9l7. In that body.
while he never figured extensively as a
speaker, he was an active and energetic
exponent Of Republican doctrine, includ-
tive tariff He was chairman of the
Committee on Transportati tion Routes to
SeabOard and member Of the Commit
tees on Claims. Indian Depredations. In
Private Land Claims. Railroads and
University of the United States
In October, 1914. more than two years
before the expiration of his term. Mr.
Oliver, speaking at a meeting Of the AL
lcgheny County Republican committee.
which was also addressed by United
states Senator Boies Penrose and Dr
Martin G Brumbaugh, Republican GU
bernatorial nominee. made definite an
nouncement that he would not be
candidate for reelection.
Retires From Politics
A few months later he indicated
in an editorial in the Gazette-Times
that he would no longer seek to control
the politics OF Allegheny County. At
that time there was great unrest In the
Republican organization. For Nteen
years" Oliver said, speaking in the
third person. "it has been his good for
tune, If not to dominate in Republ-
can Councils or to lead in matters ef-
fecting that great party and the public.
at least to be intimately consulted. TO
enjoy the confidence of many loyal lieu
tenants and party men. and TO have the
cordial cooperation OF thousands of ex
cellent citizens in all walks of life. BAIt
he feels that the requirements of con-
tnued relation with the stress of poll
ties are necessarily and unavoidahly Of
such a nature that, at the age Of sixty
seven and with two years Of arduous
duties stil1 ahead of him in the Senate.
position of the leader and to take a
place in the ranks.
Senator oliver wishes II understood,
therefore, that hereafter his part in
politics will be confined TO that which
properly pertains to the duties and re-
sponsbiltes Of n citizen, taxpayer and
business man interested in the welfare
Of his city, his county, his state and
his country. as distinguished from prob
lens that are essentially of the party
and its deStlnieS'