Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1919-11-13
Democratic Leader Of Up
per House Passes Away .
In Charlottesville
SERVING FIFTH TERN
Wore Himself Out in War Legislation
as Head Of. Great Appropriation
Committee.

Charlottesville, Va. Nov. 19.-
Thomas Staples Martin, senior United
States Senator from Virginia and
Democratic leader in the upper house
of Congress, died at the University
Hospital, here yesterday after an i'll
ness of eight months. He was 72 years
old and was serving his fifth consecu-
tive term in the Senate.
Senator Martin did not ,relin!uish
his active duties as minority leader
in the upper house until the end of
May, following an attack of influenza,
(which, with bronchial trouble that
developed in February, left him with
weak heart.
He entered the University Hospital
June. l and his physician, DR.. John
Staige Davis, found some uraemia
and diabetes. The latter disappeared
under treatment, but week ago
uraemia returned and the heart be-
gan to grow weaker. Nausea set in
: yesterday, and as it became acute it
was at once apparent that the end
was near. The Senator fought to the
last, however, Too weak hardly to
stand, he left his bed more than once
yesterday, t.and when time for the
midday meal rolled around he made
, bold attempt to partake Of the food.
His militant spirit amazed all in the
sick room. I'll.
Senator Martin was almost certain
~ one Of the victims of the world war.
His position at the head of the Sen
ats Committee on Appropriations dur
ing the period of greatest expendi-
ture Of revenue ever made by the
government Of the United States laid
upon him burdens which could well
have worn put "a younger and more
athletic man. The manner and the vol
ume Of expenditure were both mat
ters Of grave concern to- a man whose
methods were careful and exact and
whose desire always was to protect
the, taxpayers; Of the country from un-
NECESSARY: impositions. How much he
saved the.;Government will never be
known.
AS soon as the armisbice was de-
clared, he spoke on,sthe, subject for
the first time, counseling reduction
of expendisl lres-and, more economic
management This was probable his
last message to the great public he
had served. i,
Until his: election to the Senate by
the State Legislature IN 1894, Senator
Martin had been a railroad attorney
from small town, who never before
sought public office. The State Leg
islature had chosen him in preference
to one Of Virginia's most popular and
able citizens, the late Maj-Gen. Fitz-
hugh; Lee. On March 4, 1895, he took
his seat. His ability soon was dis
covered. and from the date of his ad-
vent into NATIONAL politics he served
continuously in the Senate, rising to
the floor leadership Of his party and
chai,1nanship. f the;Important Appro-
priations Committee. He served in
that capacity. during the war Con-
gress, where he was regarded as one
of the leading figures Of the Senate.
After brief. 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 1893 he was persuaded by the as
sooiates 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; Gov T. Hose Tyler, an
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