The weekly Alaska citizen., 1919-11-17


 time. He had been member of the senate since 1895, almost a quarte" oi ' century and by his ability and court cous treatment of his associates wa, universally liked by all of his col leagues
 Thomas Staples Martin, United States Senator from Virginia. until his election in 1894 had been a rail road attorney from a small town, who ad never before sought a pub lie office. When it was found that the state legislature had chosen him in preference to one of Virginia's most popular and able citizens. the late Major General Fitzhugh Lee. there was storm of protest among the democrats of the "Old Dominion
 Martin braved the opposition. how ever and on March 4, 1895, took his cat. His ability was soon discover, ed and from the date of his advent 'nto national politics he served cen tinuously in the senate. rising to the '0or leadership of his parry ana chairmanship of the important ar- ,'ropriations committee. He served I that capacity during the war c.n- gross. where he was regarded as one 2f the leading figures in the senate.
 Senator Martins father. John Sam ol Martin and his mother. Martha tnn Staples, were descendants of the early settlers of the Colony of Vir- ginia. His father was a merchant and manufacturer of Scottsville. Al
 marie county, Va, where on July 29, 1847, young Martin was bon. When he was six years old his par ents removed to the country and thereafter he made his home in AL
 marie county.
 fter primary education in the Scottsville school, Martin entered the Virginia Military Institute in March. 1864. When the cadet battalion of the Institute was mustered into the Confederate army for the battle of New Market. Cadet Martin was i'll in a hospital and missed the encounter. but upon his recovery he rejoined his battalion and served until the end of the war.
 In October, 1865, he entered the academic school of the University of Virginia, but after two years he was forced to leave college by the death uf his father and assume the rcsponsi- biities of a large family He enter ed the mercantile business at Scotts- vile and began the study of law, reaG- ing at home. In 1869 he was admit ted to the bar.
 His interest in politics was aroused by his association with John s. I;ar, bour, chairman or the state general committee of the democratic party, who made him a member of the com- mittee. At that time the democratic iarty was threatened with disruption over the question of the state debt to the federal government, and Re adjuster Faction" headed by General 'ahone and including negroes, sprang ap. Senator Martin came into the political limelight of the state by the new organization, and under his lead nrship it was overthrOwn and the jemocratic party predominated.
 In 1893 he was persuaded by his as ociates to enter the senatorial race and, after bitter fight, was elected by the assembly over General Lee. 'or reelection in 1901 Senator Mar Tn defeated Governor T. Hoge Tyler.
 ther strong opponent. In 1904 he democratic organization adopted Ne primary plan" for election of ,overnor and senators. This de veloped an eloquent and popular op-
 'nent in Governor A. J. Montague i'd even Senator Martins friends were doubtful of the outcome as his bility as debater and public speak or were unknown. Senator Martin stumped" the state and achieved his bird victory.
 On October 10, 1894, he married .ucy Chambliss Day. daughter of 1olonel c. Fenton Day, of Smithiie d