NOTABLE CAREER ENDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 April 1939, Page 5

NOTABLE CAREER ENDS

4 DEATH OF SENATOR LEWIS. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. WASHINGTON, April 9. The death has occurred of Senator J, Hamilton Lewis, following a heart attack. His age was unknown as he kept the date of his birth a secret. He was considered one of the most colourful figures ever to serve the Senate and was famous for his “pink whiskers” and sartorial elegance. Senator James Hamilton Lewis was born at Danville. Virginia, and educated at Houghton College, Georgia, and the University of Virginia. He moved to the State of Washington and served as its member in the Senate. He was chosen by the Washington State Democratic Party for the VicePresidency of the United States in 1900. He served in the SpanishAmerican War and later saw military service in the Philippines. In 1903 he moved to Chicago and was member of the United States Senate for Illinois for the terms 19131919, 1931-37, and 1937-1943. He was elected the first whip of the Senate in the history of that body and was continuously re-elected each session to the expiration of the senatorial terms. He was named by the primary vote of the Democrats and by the Democratic State Convention as the choice ’ of Illinois for the Vice-Presidency of the United States in 1920, and was unanimously nominated for Governor by the Democratic State Convention in the following September. During the war Senator Lewis was designated to special work as Commissioner for the War Department. He reported in France to General Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of the United States forces abroad, and was later assigned to the staff of General Bell. On returning to the United States on the ship Mount Vernon in charge of wounded soldiers, he was torpedoed at sea. After recovering, he resumed his war work. He declined an offer by President Wilson of the Ambassadorship to Belgium. He was knighted by the King of the Belgians and by the King of Greece. He was made a member of the Knights of the Round Table, London. the King of England presiding on the occasion. He served on behalf of American interests at international conferences at Genoa and Lausanne. He was the author of a number bf books on constitutional history. , r .