Robinson, Joseph (d. 1937)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1937 Jul 21 p. 1

Birth date:

text of obituary:

SUDDEN DEATH OVERTAKES SENATOR ROBINSON

Having fallen on his face seriously ill, Sen. Jos. Robinson, democratic majority leader in the Senate, died in his Washington apartment some time Tuesday night, July 13.

Congress summoned the nation's dignitaries to join in a final state ceremony for Senator, an elder statesman of the Democratic party, which was held Friday.

Nearly fifty senators and a score of congressmen also requested reservations on the special train was to carry Robinson's body to Little Rock, Ark., for burial Sunday.

Sen. Robinson's death seemed a decisive blow to the Roosevelt Court bill, which apparently is widely opposed throughout the country.

President Roosevelt, however replied with a ringing "No" to those who have urged him to drop his court reorganization proposal as the result of the death of Senator Robinson, the Democratic leader.

Leaders of the senate opposition to the court bill quickly replied to the president. Senator Van Nuys (D-Ind.) declared:

"We'll select our own leader and dispose of the court bill in our own way without dictation by any source whatsoever."

Van Nuys said the senate is "pretty well fed up on executive dictation and will reassert itself aggressively in the next few days."