Evening star., 1924-04-08
MARCUS A. SMITH,
|. EX-SENATOR, DEAD
Former Representative From
Arizona Fatally Stricken
in Hotel Room.

Former Senator Marcus A. Smith oi
Arizona, seventy-two years old, who
had served total Of 'tbirty-thret
from Arizona, respectively, died at the
Occidental Hotel Yesterday. He was
found dead upon the floor of his room
by bell boy when the latter went
up stairs yesterday afternoon to carry
Mr.. Smith his mail. Death was due
to heart disease.
Former Senator Smith, il was ex.
planned at the hotel today, often SLEPT
through the morning, SO it was not
thought strange, by the hotel manage.
ment. that he did not come down from
his room during the morning.
he has suffered for the last few years
he is said to have been in good health
Gustav Buchholz. the proprietor .oi
the hotel. stated that only night be-
up to his room, he had joked
with him on the journey up in the
elevator. He had been a resident OF
the Occidental for twelve years, and
was well known by the management
there and the various assistants. Flags
at the hotel are being flown at half
staff.
Announced in Senate.
His death was announced in the
Senate by Senator .Ashurst Of Ari-
which was recalled Mr.. Smiths long
service In the Senate, and the House
was delivered by Senator Robinson
Of Arkansas, the democratic leader
and by Senator Curtis Of Kansas, act.
ing republican leader in the absence
of Senater Lodge of Massachusetts.
Just prior to his death he had been
writing a tribute to his mother, the
memories of whom were still serving
as guiding hand. The manuscript
which he had written was found in
his room.
The body was sent to Cynthiana
Ky, today on a train leaving the
Union station al 1:45 O'Clock. Jerry
South, a local attorney and a close
friend OF Mr.. Smith. will accompany
the body on the journey. Funerai
services will be held at Cynthiana
Thursday morning.
Former Senator Smith was born in
Cynthiana, Ky, January "a, 1852, th=
youngest of seven brothers He re-
ceiYed his education in that state and
was admitted TO the bar there before
came resident citizen of Arizona in
the latter year.
Was Elected Representative.
Soon after he had become a bona
fide citizen of his adopted state he
was elected prosecuting attorney of
the Tucson district Subsequently. he
was chosen to represent the territory
OF Arizona in the House of Repre-
sentatives, serving from the Fiftieth
to the Fifty-ninth congresses. He
/ was then made senator of the new
state in 1912, and served for two
terms in that capacity. He was de-
feated for election in 1920. and was
given an appointment on the Inter
national Boundary Commission in
1921.
Mr. Smith framed the bill whereby
Arizona was admitted into the Union. A
national administration plan to link
Arizona and Mexico IN this undertak.
ing and enter them as a single state
was stoutly opposed by Mr.. Smith
and he won his fight when the ques-
tion was submitted to the voters OF
the two territories.
staged Long Fight.
His fight for Arizonas statehood
was long drawn out and vigorously
prosecuted. In each session of Con
gress in which he served he intro
duced his statehood bill, and on sew
eral occasions succeeded in tavinG
his measure passed by the House CT
| Representatives, only TO have il reject
ed by the Senate. Due TO his ability
as a lawyer he was often called back
from Washington to Arizona to ap-
pear in notable civil and crim!na
cases.