Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1923-01-25
Senators Eulogize
Thomas E. Watson
Pay Tribute to Late Scion From Ga.
In Impressive Ceremony.

WASHINGTON, D. c., : Quiet
and impressive ceremonies marked
proceedings OF the senate Sunday
when memorial services were held for
the late United States Senator Thorn
as E. Watson of Georgia, who died at
the capital on September 20 last.
Ten of his colleagues recounted
from different angles, the story OF
his life and times-how from a pen
niless and self-educated southern boy
he gained the pinnacle of interna-
tional fame, manifested in his liter
airy achievements, and built around
him a personal following that was re-
markable for its endurance.
chamber offered a different picture
from some of the scenes that marked
the Georgian's stormy career there
The desk which he formerly occupied
was left vacant during the memorial
and, as a further token of respect
there was placed on it basket O.
flowers which had been sent by Mrs
Watson. the widow who was unable tc
attend the services. His desk, here
encomium was now the order of the
day, had during his office been the
scene of violent invective, hurled witt
an abandon against all those, friends
and enemies alike, who disputed the
principles for which he stood.
Tribute Not Diminished
This, however will not diminish the
tribute which his colleagues paid
Immediately after the chaplain
der was read from Senator Cum.
mings, president pro tempore re.
questing that Senator Harris of Geor.
gia preside during the services, Vice
president Coolidge also being unable
to attend The Georgia senator paid
his ribute from the presidents chair
reciting his relations with Senator
Watson when the latter first came
to the senate.
This was the second precedent brok.
en- during the day, it being the only
time so far as officials were able tc
recall that a senator had delivered d
speech from the presidents stand. The
first precedent came through the &C
ton of the senate in giving unanimous
consent for placing flowers on a de
ceased members desk.
Pays Glowing Tribute
Senator Harris paid glowing
tribute to the Georgian, while from
the galleries friends and members OF
the family, represented by Senator
Watson's two granddaughters, Miss
Georgia Watson and Miss Georgia
Lee looked on.
Senator Walter F. Georgia, who
succeeded Mr.. Watsan to the senate
closed the services in his first speech
before the chamber. Together with
others he was complimented both on
his delivery and the eulogy he render
ed.
Other senators taking part in the
exercises are as follows:
Senators Cameron Arizona; Tram
nell, Florida; Willis, Ohio; Heflin
Alabama; Caraway, Arkansas; Har-
rison, Mississippi; Dial South Caro-
lima; Laid, North akota; and Brook
hart, Iowa.
Stress Literary Work
Senators Willis and Trammell gave
particular stress to the literary works
of the late senator, the former quot
ing many extracts from Mr.. Watson's
books. Singular tributes along the
same line were also paid by Sena-
tors Dial, Ladd, Cameron, who to-
gether with Senators Caraway, Har-
rison and Heflin, spoke further of the
genial personality which they found
Mr. Watson to have.
Though not member of the SEN
ate during the Georgian's term, Sena-
tor Brookhart referred to his princi-
pies advocated in the past as having
gained national approval and said he
had come to be great admirer of the
Georgian. Senator Helm recalled
several interesting incidents win Mr..
Watson's life and praised him for
his fighting qualities.
Senator Harrison also described the
Georgian as one of the most fearless
men he had ever known in public
life, adding that before he had come
to know him in the senate he had
been greatly misrepresented as to his
real character which, he said, was
as generous as he had ever known.