The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-12-12
SENATOR OVERMAN,
LEGISLATOR FOR %
YEARS, SUCCUMDS
Sudden Attack Fatal to Man
Who Proved Great Aid to
Wilson During War

Washington, Dec. 12.-(R1-A sud-
den illness today took from the SEN
ate one Of its oldest and most highly
regarded members.
Lee Slater Oyerman; of North Car
DINA, closed 76 years of life and "a
OF service in the senate chamber
shortly before ! o'clock this morning.
An indisposition OF a few days stand
ing had suddenly turned dangerous
yesterday afternoon when he suffer-
ed an internal hemorrhage. He had
rallied and was expected to last
, through the night at least when late
at night, Unexpectedly, he was strick-
en- by a second hemorrhage. Death
then was inevitable.
With him was Mrs. Overman, who
had shared his life since 1873, and
n daughter, Mrs. E. N. Snow. WASH
ington. Two other daughters, Mrs.
E. G. Gregory and Mrs. Gilbert Ham
bly,. were expected to arrive today
from Salisbury, the senator's North
Carolina home. His body will be TAX
en- there for burial.
Became Senator In 1903
After a political career already dis
tinguished, Overman entered the SEN
ate in 1908 and soon became a lead
ing figure In the Democratic party
ranks. During the World war, par
ticularly, he became essential to
President Wilson. His snowy white
hair was acquired In the heavy war
tasks which included service on five
major committees.
He sponsored the act which gave
President Wilson wartime powers
more sweeping than any ever exer-
cised by an American chief executive.
and vas the author Of much vital
legislation of that day.
Senator Overman was chairman Of
the senate committee to investigate
German propaganda. He was in the
fight to put the war measures Of
President Wilson into laws. He fought
for and helped obtain passage OF the
Espionage Act, the Overman bill Civ
ing the president extraordinary pow
ers for the prosecution Of the World
war, the Clayton bill, and many 9TH
erS.
On l6 Committees
Senator Overman served on 16 ma
jor committees, and was ranking
member for many years Of the ON
mittees on appropriations, judiciary,
rules and military affairs. When the
question Of preparedness became an
issue his long experience on the SEN
ate military affairs committee made
him a valued adviser. He was ap-
pointed chairman Of the sub-eommit-
tee OF the judiciary committee whose
investigation was said to have routed
the lobbyists in Washington.
Born In Salisbury, N. c.. January
3. 1854, MI. Overman was graduated
from Trinity college, North Carolina,
IN 1874, taught school for two years
and then became private secretary to
Governor z. B. Vance. He remained
with Governor Vance's successor,
Thomas Jarvis, for one year, after
which he resigned to begin practicing
law in Salisbury.
Overman was a member Of the
North Carolina legislature in 1883,
1885. 1887, 1893 and 1899, during
which time he served as speaker Of
the house. In 1895 he was the choice
OF the Democratic caucus for the
United States senate but was defeat
ed. He was president Of the dem
ocratic state convention In 1900 and
in 1911. presidential elector for the
state at large III 1900. and was elect
ed to the United States senate in
1908, to be reelected in 1909. He be-
gan his third term in 1914, when he
the first United States senator
to be elected by a direct vote Of the
people Of his state. He vas reelected
In 1920 and In 1926.
One Of Overman's first acts on be-
coming a senator was to obtain an
appropriation for appointment Of
commercial agents to be sent abroad
for the exploitation and extension
Of American commerce, especially
cotton. From time to time he OBJ |
tanned additional appropriations for
this work. ~
In the house Of representatives |
O%verrnan's work attracted wide at
tention. He seldom made long adj |!
dresses but expressed his convictions
',loquently, forcibly and at times We !
|
Interested In Education
His interest in education endeared |
him to the state. In 1885 he brought |
in a bill for an annual appropriation
for the state university. The bill met
keen opposition but the eloquence and
tact Of the legislator was successful
and his bill became q law.
Overman figured In another holly
legislative battle which CEN
tered around the leasing of the North
Carolina Railroad in which the state
held a majority Of stock. The ques-
ton Of leasing the road divided the
party. Overmau chung t~enaciously to
the policy Of leasing, despite severe
criticism Of many newspapers. He
won his battle and was elected
president Of the road.
Overman was q descendant of Ma
jor James Smith who fought with the
American forces In the Revolution. In
1878 he married Mary p. Merrimon,
daughter Of United States Senator A.
s. Merrimon. He was for many years
! member Of the boards Of Trinity
and of the University Of
North Carolina, both OF which inSti-
honored him with the IL. D.
CrOokston Man Will
H~-I n-..1l-.. Gill;