Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-09
GEORGE (. CHAMBERLAIN,
EX-SENATOR, DIES HERE
AFTER LONG ILLNESS

Continued from First Page)
the law firm of Chamberlain & Nyce,
which later became the firm of Long
Chamberlain e. Nyce after his first
illness In 1925.
Though identified with the State oil
Oregon since early manhood, Senator
Chamberlain was born on a plantation
near NatcheZ, Miss, January /, 1854
he received his education at Washington
and Lee University, In Lexington, Va,
and was graduated In 1875 with the
degrees of bachelor OF arts and bachelor
of laws. =
Like many other young men from
the South whose ambitions were fet-
tered by the political and economic
handicaps growing out Of the recon-
struction period, he struck out for the
far West Immediately after his grad
uation. he started the practice Of law
in Oregon Three years later he married
Miss Sarah Newman WEIGH Of NatcheZ,
Soon Entered Politics.
Politics appealed to Chamberlain
strongly and the young lawyer soon
became prominently known In Demo-
cratic circles In 1890 he was elected
to the Oregon House Of Representatives
He was district attorney for the third
judicial district, 1884 to 1886: attorney
general Of the State from iS9l-o5, and
district attorney Of the fourth judicial
district from 1900 to 1904.
His popularity had grown to such
an extent that he was nominated for
governor and elected for the terms
1903 to 1907 and 1907 to 1911. He
resigned from the governorship In 1915,
after serving two years OF his second
term. upon mis- election to the United
States Senate During his service In
the Senate we're two other Mississippi
ans. Senator pittman of Nevada and
Senator Poindexter Of Washington, who
likewise had gone West In early man
hood.
Chamberlain had the distinction OF
being the first and only Democrat
elected to the Senate by Republican
Legislature OF Oregon. At that time,
Chamberlain was the peoples choice
for Senator and President Theodore
Roosevelt sent message to the Oregon
Legislature directing 1t to stand by the
peoples vote" This act served TO &C.
ment O friendship between Senator
chamberlain and Roosevelt that was
lifelong,
Became National Figure.
Eenator Chamberlain almost inn
mediateiy became national figure aft
er his admission to the Senate. In time
he became the ranking Democrat on
the military affairs committee and with
the outbreak of the World War in 1914
he was one of the outspoken champions
of preparedness In the United States.
When Woodrow Wilson was elected
President, Senator Chamberlain was
made chairman Of the military affairs
committee, which the stress OF pre-
paredness had made one OF the most
important In the Senate. He took a
leading part in all the great debates
preceding Americas entrance into the
World War, centered on the relations
with Mexico and the policy OF armine
merchant ships for defense against
German submarines.
with the declaration of state OF
war between the United States and
Germany, Senator Chamberlain was
perhaps the most formidable prepayment
of preparedness, In the Senate. Upon
his shoulders fell the duty of putting
the administration military program
through the Senate.
Favored Universal Draft.
He was one OF the first 10 realize ths
necessity of a UNIVERSAL draft act for
the successful prosecution OF the war
! and his name Is attached to the ma
tional defense act as author.
AS the war progressed, Senator
Chamberlain displayed an independence
OF action that had more than once
marked his earlier career in tie Senate
Although exerting all his Leadership III
putting through rigid military pro-
gram he openly criticised the conduct
| Of the war on numerous occasions. This
brought about break between the
military affairs chairman and President
| Wilson which was never reconciled,
| Before the National Security League
| In New York, Senator Chamberlain
made a speech In which he declared
| that the War Department had ceased tt
| function. He criticised the administra-
ton for sending men overseas WITHOUT
adequate training. He criticised also
the failure of the War Department K
furnish adequate guns and the condi'
tion Of uniforms and other equipment
about which there had bern widespread
complaint IN the A. Il. r.
unon IBIS return 10 Washington
President Wilson asked him II he hat
been quoted correctly IN his speech ant
Chamberlain replied that he had The
President tileriipon issued statensnl
in which he denied Chamberlain
1 charges IN caustic language In one o.
the greatest speeches Of his career
senator Chamberlain replied to thu
Presidents announcement OF him OF
the Senate floor. Prom that day, Cham
berlain ceased TO be one OF the con.
fidential advisers OF the administration
although continuing In his duties Al
chairman of the military affairs com
mittee throughout the war period ant
later Despite the breek he held tn.
utmost confidence OF his 6enati
colleagues
When he came up for reelection II
Ntat. N