Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-11-12
DEMOCRATIC LEADER
IN SENATE DEAD

J. t4i N<~S s@@@S>sS>1~. = y~O$
+ Charlottesville, Virginia, Nov. 12-
Senator Thomas C. Martin, Demo-
cratic leader in the Senate, died here
'tcday, after I. an extended illness.
He was 72.
Thomas Staples Martin, United
States &enator from Virxinin, until
his. election in 1894 haa Been = rail-
roGd attorney from q small town..
'Nhe had never sought public Of
'6oe When it was found that the
State legislature had chosen him in
preference to one Of Virginia's most
popular and able citixens, the Major
General Fitzhugh Lee, there was q
|st6rm Of protest among the Demo-
cy4ts of the "Old Dominion"
Martin braved the opposition, how
eyer and on March 4, 1896 took his
Sse&t His ability was soon discov-
cred and from the. date of his advent
intn national politics he served con-
tinnOusly in the Senate, rising to the
floor leadership of his party and
craftsmanship of the important Apr
preparations Committee. He served
in that capacity during the war Con-
gress, where he was regarded as one
of the leading figure in the Senate
Senator Martins father, \ John
Samuel Martin, and his mother,
Martha Ann Staples, were descend
ants of the early settlers of the
Colony of Virginia. His father was
q merchant and manufacturer Of
ScoFsville, Albermarle coGhty. Va,
where on July 30, 1847, young Mar
tin vas born.
A4er primary education in the
Scot Qsville school, Martin entered
the Virginia Military Institute in
March, 1864. When the cadet bat
talon Of the Institute was mustered
Into the Confederate Army for the
battlk Of New Market. Cadet Martin
was Ill in hospital and missed the
ehcoNnter, but upon his recovery he
reioiAed his battalion and served un-
till tke end Of the war;. .
In October, 1856, he entered the
academic school Of the University Of
virginia, but otter two years he was
forced to leave college by the death
vt AiA father and assume the respon-
sibilities Of. = large Family.
His interest in politics was aroused
by his association with John S. Bar
bour, chairman Of the State general
committee of the Democratic party,
who made him a member of the COM
mittee. At that time the Demo-
cratic party was threatened with dis
ruptioh over the question Of the State
debt tp the Federal government, and
q "RaAdjuster Faction" headed by
General Malone and including
negro(s, sprang up. Senator Mar
tin cane Unto the political limelightl
of the state by meeting the challenge
OF the new organization, and under
his leadership it was overthrown and
the Democratic party predominated.
In 1893 he was persuaded by his
associates to enter the senatorial race
and after a bitter fight, was elected
BY the Assembly over General Lee.
For reelection in 1901 Senator Mar
tin defeated Governor T. Hoge Tyler,
another strong opponent. In 1904
the Democratic organization adopted
the primary plan" for election of
governor and senator's. This deve-
loped an eloquent and popular op-
ponent -in Governor A. j. Montague
and even Senator Martins friends
were doubtful of the outcome as his
ability as debater and public speak
er were unknown. Senator Martin
4stumped" the state and achieved his
third victory.
On October 10, 1894, he married
Lucy Chambliss Day, daughter Of
Colonel c. Fenton Day. of Smith
field Va. Two children were born