The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-10-03
THOMAS WATSON
WELDED POWER

Washington, Sept. 26.-Anothel
powerful and picturesque figure pass.
ed from public life in the death today
of Senator Thomas E. Watson Of
Georgia. His death, which occurred
at 2:40 o'clock this morning, was
sudden and unexpected, according te
physicians, resulting from an attacl
of asthma.
The senator had been suffere,
for several weeks from the disease
and only last Sunday experienced
an acute attack. Two physicians anc
a nurse were at the bedside when tn:
end came, but the widow, who is il
i'll health, and other relatives were
at the home in Thomson, Ga, 70,
which Mr.. Watson had planned to de.
part today for the congressional re.
cess.
For forty years Senator Watson
had been active in politics, national
as we'll as a state figure. He wa:
nominated by the Populist party fo,
president in 1904 after receiving it:
vice presidential nomination in 1894
He was a populist member Of the
house of Representatives in 1891.
1893. In 1920 he was elected sena
tor, as he said, on "anti-Wilson, anti
league tof nations) and anti-wa:
measures" platform, defeating for
mer Senator Hoke Smith and for.ne,
Governor Dorsey. He was 66 years
Of age September 5 last, and his sen
storial term would have expired
March 8, 1927. :.
The funeral will be neid at Tkom.
son, Ca, either next Thursday after.
noon4or Friday morning. Senate Of
fcials are in charge and the fuHera
party will leave here tomorrow al
3:15. o'clock for Thomson.
Because of the absence during tbs
present recess Of. congress OF Vice
President Coolidge, Senator Cum
mins,S Republican, president pro tenn.
pore, and most of the senate men,
,bership, there was difficulty today
in arranging a committee to attend
the funeral. Senators on the tenta-
tive list included Helm, Alabama
Harrison, Mississippi; Dial, South
Carolina; Shields, Tennessee, anc
Fletcher, Florida, Democrats, and
Brandegee, New Jersey; New, In
diansS Shortridge, California, and
Cameron, Arizona, Republicans.
Senate flags were placed at half
mast for a period Of 80 days out o.
respect to the late senator. and the
senate will adjourn out, Of respeef
when it reconvenes. A day also will
be set for memorial services.
President and Mrs. Harding head
ed those who preferred condolences.
President.Harding's letter to Mrs.
Watson follows:
81 have just learned Of the sudden
and unexpected death Of your distin-
guished husband, Senator Watson.
This note is to express my sympathy
to you in the hour of great sorrow.
Mrs. Harding asks me to include her
in an expression of our most sincere
confidence.
During the first year and half of
his term in the senate, TO which he
was elected in 1920, after receiving
the nomination over Senate" Hoke
Smith and Gov. Hugh NJ. Dorsey. Sen
ator Watson gave no indication Of any
impairment OF the vigor and activity
which had marked his long career IN
pollicits and as a publisher. n his
last speech IN the senate, delivered
only a week ago last Wednesday, the
Georgia senator seveply criticized
the administration for its course n
connection with the rail strike situa-
tioa. F:c n~cv'o..: ;..:::l.: :? :.S Cd
nainistrst;on and most : notably his
charges of illegal hangings in the
American Expeditionary forces, the
subiec. of exhaustive investigation by
senate committee, had made him
conspicuous figure in the senate body
during his brief service there.
Born in Thompson, Ga, in 1856,
Senator Watson grew up and prac-
ticed law there for some years before
entering state politics. Afer serving
in the Georgia house Of representa-