Clemson University - Taps Yearbook (Clemson, SC)

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Jn JHemortam ROBERT LEE ATKINSON Robert Lee Atkinson was born at Lowryville, S. C, May 10, 1899. He was pre- pared for college in the Armenia School near his home, and in the fall of 1915 he en- tered Clemson that he might become better fitted for the great work he hoped to do. In October he was stricken with Influenza, which later developed into Pneumonia On October fifth, after a brave fight of more than a week, during which time he faced Death with a smile always on his face, he quietly passed into another world. His death cannot but have recalled to those who saw him die, those lines of Bryant when he said, So live that when thy summons comes to join the innumerable caravan that moves to that mysterious realm where each shall take his chamber in the silent halls of death, thou go not like the quarry slave at night scourged to his dungeon; but sustained by an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams. Robert was an excellent student, a devout Christian, and a man. May Chief ' s life and death inspire us to higher things. Page Six

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traffic in South Carolina. He was prominent in bringing about the primary system for the naming of candidates for the Democratic Tarty. He brought about the holding of a constitutional convention which settled the negro suffrage question in South Carolina. He caused a better system of analysis and inspection of fertilizers, saving the fanners from immense loss through misrepresented goods of unscrupulous fertilizer manufacturers, and he introduced a movement for the betterment of the common schools, placing within the reach of every b oy and girl in the state an education as adequate as that afforded by the average school. Senator Tillman did not enter the Senate, as many do. a man unknown beyond the limits of his own state. His reputation preceded his coming. Being reckless as he was in the use of language, of which he had acquired ample command, he had become a pic- turesque figure in the public mind, and his entrance into the Senate greatly excited the public curiosity as to what he should do in such a great body. The excitement was vivid and strong, for it was underst 1 that he intended to revolutionize the Senate, as he had revolutionized the State of South Carolina. This he did not do: but because he was a man naturally of strong good sense and open convictions, he came yet through no sacrifice of principle, not only to accept the Senate but to be one of its chief defenders, and a most ardent supporter of its habits and traditions. Of his work in the Senate enough cannot be written. Let us merely mention some of the most prominent achievements growing from his relentless efforts. With untiring efforts he labored as a member and later as chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs to make the American Navy sufficiently large to discharge its responsibilities. The re- wards of his efforts came in terms of human life when our Navy, second only to that of Great Britain, with those of our Allies made it possible for America to place upon the fields of France more than two million American soldiers without the loss of a single American transport. He fought special privileges: he violently opposed the exorbitant prices charged for steel plates used in making battleships, and it was because of a fierce assault upon the steel trust that he won the lasting and honored title of • Pitchfork Ben. Under this title he succeeded in establishing, after fifteen years of contention, an armour plate factory, a crowning monument to his efforts. Tillman took an active part in se- curing the enactment of the amendatory interstate commerce act of 1906, giving the In- terstate Commerce Commission the power to make rates in interstate commerce. He de- manded and got a greater and more elastic currency — he was active in the framing of a multitude of important measures, always fearlessly and firmly representing what he honestly believed to be to the interest of the people of the United States. And why such r reat activity, such notable success? Born of poor parentage, Tillman had not the advantage of a full college education: he was rough and stormy in the eyes of the public. Then why these wonderful achievements V We shall see: Beneath the stormy outlines of his features there surged a kindly nature, plenty of humor, seriousness of puritose. and sincerity of conviction. He was able and forceful, a wonderful man in energy and perseverance, never at a standstill, always moving to new and larger fields. He is discussed as being one of the most striking and picturesque characters in the public life of America. No one interested or attracted the attention of the public more than he. His mental faculties and his physical appearance were each peculiarly fascinating. He possessed a strong, robust and compact body: a firm, decisive step: a large, expansive, and magnificent brow: clear, dark, and fearless eyes: a firm and resolute mouth and chin, indicative of unflinching courage and resolution. He had a Strong, clear, and penetrating voice, falling pleasantly on the ears, never monotonous lecause frequently tinged with sarcasm or resounding with indignation. Could he fail ' . ' However defiant, however rough, however bold, he spoke his simple honest convictions and in that he was fortified. He had no fear of consequences, depending upon his rugged, sterling honesty to strengthen his position on every question. He knew no middle ground but always fought the fight to a finish, and he was a most powerful advocate and a most dangerous opponent. Not in high strung phazes of oratory, not in sugar coated, glistering speech, but in persistent sledjre blows he delivered his argument, always assuming that the end justified the means— and he usually won. And this is the secret of his power: he was honest, he was faithful, he was true. In his private life it is s : ,i,i that he was lovable, morally clean and honorable. He scorned duplicity and falsehood, loathing a lie. As a husband he was devoted and tender: as a father, kind and good; as a man. firm and true. Of him it may amply be said. He was of the truly great -1 y 1 Page Five

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