Evening star., 1936-06-17
Fletcher

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from Vanderbilt University, Nashville,
in 1880.
He went the next year to Jackson
vile, Fla, to visit some school chums
and remained a resident of the State
for the rest of his life, serving in pub
lie life as State legislator 1889, twice
Mayor of Jacksonville $685. and
19o1-3), chairman of the Duval
County Board Of Education Gackson-
ville), State Democratic chairman
1904-D and Senator since 1909.
The Senator. it was learned, awoke
this morning, apparently feeling quite
well. He enjoyed his breakfast, but
shortly before 10 o'clock complained
of feeling Ill. DR.. Swartwout was
summoned.
He was put to bed Immediately and
died a few minutes later. His asso-
ciates said the Senator, so far as they
knew, had not suffered from the heart
ailment before.
Senator Fletcher was born in Sum-
ter County, Ga, January 6, 1859, and
moved to Monroe County, Ga, the
next year. He was educated in coun-
try schools and the Gordon Insti-
tute.
Low cotton prices in the 1870s
helped bring the turning point in
Fletcher's life. He decided to leave
the farm and obtain an education in
law at Vanderbilt The last two years
of his course he accomplished in one
year because his money was running
short.
Two years after his shingle was
hung out in Jacksonville he married
Miss Anna Louise Paine. They have
another daughter, Mrs. T. J. Kent,
who lives In st. Louis.
Successful in his legal practice,
Fletcher desired to seek seat in the
Senate, left vacant by death. He was
elected without opposition in 1909 and
reelected every six years since with
out any appreciable contest.
On Other Senate Committees.
His other committee affiliations in
the Senate included membership on
the Military Affairs, Mines and Min
ing and Printing Committees. He also
was chairman of the Joint Committee
on Printing.
Fletcher was a constant student Of
the merchant marine problem. His
ruddy face and gray mustache made
him a familiar figure in recent years
in the Senate. He seldom made a
speech.
After the Word War the Florida
Senator opposed sale of the American
merchant marine to British interests
and advocated establishment of regu-
lar routes to keep the great war
time fleet in action under the Ameri-
can flag.
In inland waterway development
the Senator was interested particu-
larly in the Gulf-to-Maine inland
project and also proposed the build
ing OF a canal from the mouth Of the
Mississippi River to the Atlantic. He
lived to see the first project become a
reality.
Ever active in the development OF
the entire South, he was chief Spon-
sor and, for a time. president of the
Southern Commercial Congress. He
also was a director of the National
Rivers and Harbors Congress and sue
cessively president of the Gulf Coast
Inland Waterway Association and the
Mississippi and Atlantic waterways
Association.
After a brief tribute had been paid
to the memory of the veteran Florida
Senator, the Senate as further marx
of respect took a recess shortly aftel
it met today Until 10 am. tomorrow
Loftin Expresses Regret.
Expressing his profound regret ane
deep personal loss in the death ol
Senator Fletcher, Senator Loftin oi
the same State, Trammelrs successor
told the Senate how only two days agc
he had tried to persuade his colleague
to return home for q rest. Senator
Fletcher, however, remained, and wa'
In the Senate yesterday.
I'm my judgment, he died as III
wanted to die, in harness." said Sena'
tor Loftin, who was appointed month
ago to fill the vacancy caused by thu
death of Senator Trammell.
Majority Leader Robinson Of Ar
kansas paid high tribute to Senato
Fletcher's record, declaring he hac
shown exceptional diligence and no
table ability.
Even after his health had become
impaired, he was so attentive to the
duties assigned him that he laborec
many extra hours" said Senator Rob.
inson.
The majority leader said he haC
never known a public official more
beloved or more conscientious in per.
forming his duties than Senator
Fletcher.
Informed Of the Senator's death
President Roosevelt issued the follow
ing statement:
"The country has lost an able ant
conscientious servant in the death o.
Senator Fletcher. AS chairman of thu
great Committee on Banking and Cur.
rency throughout a period of unpre'
cedented financial upheaval, hi!
steadying influence was reflected ir
both emergency and permanent legis'
lation which rescued the entire bank
ing structure of the country from uttel
collapse and destruction. Throughout
q long and distinguished career in the
Senate he was ever actuated by mo.
tives of high patriotism and unselfisr
devotion to the public welfare. In nj:
passing a fine gentleman goes from
our midst"
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