Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-06-02
CLAUDE KITCHIN, DEMOCRATIC
LEADER IN WAR CONGRESS,
SUCCUMBS TO LONG ILLNESS
North CaroIinan Opposed
Americas Entry Into World
Conflict but Did All He
Could to Help Win 1t

WILSON, N. c., May 31.-By
the Associated Press -Representa
tive Claude Kitchin, former Demo
cratic leader of the lower house of
congress, died peacefully this morn
ing at a hospital here surrounded
by members Of his family.
The North Carolinian, termed in
a tribute by Governor Morrison as
one of the worlds greatest parlia.
mentary leaders, had been in i'll
health since he suffered a slight
stroke of paralysis after an impas-
stoned address in congress in 1920,
and for the last several days his end
had been expected hourly. 1t came
at GA this morning and followed, a
brief rally yesterday afternoon,
which his loved ones had hoped
might be sign of another winning
fight for life.
Funeral services will be held to-
|
little Baptist cemetery near Scotland
Neck, the home OF the Kitchins, who
| have, served North Carolina in both
the state and national capitol. DR..
Charles Anderson, pastor of the Bap-
list church, of which Representative
| Kitchin was a member, will conduct
the services at the Kitchin home at
| 5 o'clock in the afternoon and many
prominent men of state and nation
are expected to be present to join
IN last tribute. The public schools
of Scotland Neck will remain closed
until after the funeral.
The active pallbearers will be
James Shields, S. A. Dunn, c. H.
England, L. H. Kitchin, Stuart
| Smith and William LeVertor.
Americans generally associate the
name of Claude kitchin with the
Democratic leadership of the ma
tional congress from the Inaugural
ton of Woodrow Wilson as presi-
dent until the Republican 1artY won
the elections of 1918, and organized
| both branches of congress.
Mr.. Kitchin went to congress
from the Second North Carolina dis
trict in 1901 and had served in ev-
cry congress from the Fifty-8oVenth
to the Sixty-eighth.
Cheerful and Courageous
DR.. c. A. Woodland said Mr..
Kitchin's death was the elimination
of complications which developed
after he suffered a stroke of paralY
sis in 1920. He had never been in
! good health since, DR.. Woodard stat
ed, although the turn for the worse
did not come until about three weeks
ago.
During the long months of suf-
fering, Mr.. Kitchin always main
tanned that bright, cheerful and
coura geous disposition which char
acterized his more than twenty
years on the floor of congress, From
the moment he entered the hospital
here, hundreds of friends from near
and far visited him and he greeted
them all cordially with a warm hand
shake and broad smile-a smile
loved members of congress.
Mr.. Kitchin suffered a slight
stroke of paralysis in April,
1920, few minutes after he had
delivered a most impassioned speech
on the peace resolution. He was
quickly removed fro mthe capitol
to his Washington home. He was
accorded a most enthusiastic ova-.
ton when he returned to his seat
in December of the same year. Mr..
Kitchin did not retain his seat long,
however, for dizzy spells began to
bother him and he agani was
forced to go to his home.
Aided by Operation
On the advice of his physician,
Mr.. Kitchin entered a hospital at
Albany, N. Y, where he underwent
an operation. Reports from Albany
were to the effect that the opera.
ton was successful and Mr.. Kitch
ms friends thought he would soon
be able to resume the leadership
in the house. Shortly after his re.
turn from Albany to Washington,
he again was attacked with dizzy
spells, and last year he returned to
his old home at Scotland Neck
Halifax county, to take long rest
While at Scotland Neck last win
ter, Mr.. Kitchin contracted influen
"a, which developed into pneumonia
Little hope was held out for his
recovery during this illness, but he
made wonderful fight for life and
won. This illness left him with a
stomach trouble which gradually
grew worse until it resulted in his
death here today.
Smiled in Midst of Battle
In the twenty years of his serv-
ices in the house Of representatives i
including four years as its leader
during Democratic control, Clau6e
Kitchin never once lost his temper
in the thick of bitter and stormy
debate. His big, round, red face
always was lighted with a smile or
a grin 'as he slaughtered the en-
emy," and Republicans often de- !
clared that Iitchin kept smiling "as !
he operated on them before the
country"
Back in the days when he was
a struggling young North Carolina
lawyer, Kitchin's temper was like
that of a wild man, as he himself |
expressed it. One day a country |
trial justice decided a case against I
him, and Kitchin started to clean |
up the court. 1t was an exciting |
moment.
and then it suddenly occurred to |
me-" he told friends later, that if |
I expected to get along I had TO |
put ice on my head and a bride on
my tongue. Right then and there L !
decided L would never get mad with !
anybody again"
James r. Mann, a veteran repre- !
sentative from Illinois, who often
crossed swords with Kitchin in the |
house, declared on the occasion of |
the latter's retirement as Demo- |
cratic leader. that he was vicious In |
debate, because his attacks, like |
brick in towel. were wrapped in
smiles.
Against War
Kitchin's greatest fight with his !
legislative conscience came when the |
house was called upon to declare |