Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-13
A Grieyous Loss to virginin


a FTER a lifetime OF service to his coun-
"A try. his State and his friends. Thomas
Staples Martin is dead. Twenty-four yenrs OF
that active and useful life were spent as d
member Of the United States Senate, and in
the closing OF his there is mono TO
say that in brilliance OF achievement and in
range of practical endeavor it does not com
pare favorably with that OF any other Vir-
ginian who has served in that august body,
and the list comprises the names OF many
and famous men.
Service was the Keynote the dominating
influence OF Senator Martins life, both as q
private citizen and as the executor OF his
great public trust. 1t was the theme closely
lntertwined with his mental being. O part OF
the man himself, and to that trait perhaps
more than to anything else was due his al
most meteoric rise from more or less
humble beginning to the power that was his
for more than score Of years before death
for all time ended his activities Wiz
ginian by birth, his forefathers had helped
to make Virginia. and from them he inherited
a sturdy and rugged honesty and will to
dominate over all obstacles. AS a cadet at
the Virginia Military Institute and as n SOL
der he began his service of devotion to Vir-
ginia and the South. Ambitious. he came
under the influence OF Senator John S. Bar
oour and with his tutelage he learned the
game Of successful politics in the overthrow
OF the Malone Readjuster regime Then.
even before the people OF Virginia realized
that he was ripe or ambitious for political
honors, following the death of Senator Bar
bour and the appointment of General Hutton.
he entered the race for the United States
Senate. and in the election by the General
Assembly he defeated that popular soldier
and political idol. General Fitzhugh Lee
That was the real beginning of his career.
corporation lawyer, practically unknown.
he virtually leaped all the barriers and stood
in the public gaze through his overthrow of
Lee. There were doubters then many who
believed and said that he would not make
good that he could not remain in the United
states Senate. But he did make good and
in the rapid passing of the years he became
the successful trusted and honored repre-
sentative OF his State A second time the
Assembly bespoke its faith in his ability and
his trustworthiness when it reelected him
over the able Governor Tyler and the people
themselves registered their faith in him when,
In the first senatorial primary. they chose
MN IN preference to the popular Governor
Montague Since that time his place in the
Senate had been assured. and had he lived
the honor would have been his lust so long
as he cared to retain It,
Not only as the leader Of the Democr
party in Virginia, its dominating influence
o'o he serve but he came to be recognized
as national leader. one OF the dependah,e
supports Of the administration and its active
aiu throughout the dark years of the world
war. respected by friend and foe alike. he
was one OF the really big figures of the
senate one OF the notably strong men OF
lhe country Never seeker after the lime
light, nor particularly active as a sneaker
OH the hoor of the Senate or in public
lie was marvellous organizer a real and
sahe leader OF men, possessing an almost
uncahny power to see through and beyond
the most Intricate political or economic
.ahgies, and harmonizing influence which
mas helped his colleagues over many a din
cult place. To the Senate and to his nartv
MS loss is perhaps even more grieyous than
inc puOllc at large will realize
TO virginia, and to all virginians. his
aeath brings sorrow deep and profound
mere was hardly man in the State 70
whom Thomas Martin was not friend ami
his advocate at home or in WASHINGTON when
the necessity was present He never was ton
o"sF' no matter how hard the nations husi
ness pressed down upon him. to give his per
sonar attention to the affairs Of his CON
Sti'uents In large measure it was tbis
s'anchness to his friends, his devotion N
oe'alis, his readiness to listen and his instant
sympathy that won people to him bv The
thousands and made his name a household
"ord. NOW that lie has passed on tbere
comes sense Of real and lasting porsonal
loss TO every true Virginian