FRED VAN NUYS was long known in Indiana as an exponent of the Democratic Party. He had been State Senator, prosecuting attorney, county chairman, State chairman, United States district attorney, and was finishing his second term in the Senate at the time of his unfortunate demise. He was born at Falmouth, Rush County, Ind., and grew up in the smaller towns and cities of central Indiana. His father was a country doctor and the Senator was fond of telling how, when a boy, he used to ride with his father over the country roads, and delighted to relate that his father used to say that all the medicine people needed to keep well was plenty of quinine and voting the straight Democratic ticket. He was educated at Lebanon and attended Earlham College at Richmond, where he was graduated in 1898. He later attended Indiana University Law School and was admitted to the bar at Shelbyville in 1900. His political career began at Anderson several years later with his election as Madison County prosecutor. He also served as chairman of the county Democratic committee. He was a member of the State senate from Madison County in the 1913 and 1915 sessions, and became president pro tem of the senate in 1915. The Indiana Democratic State Central Committee elected him as State chairman in 1918, and he was named United States district attorney at Indianapolis by President Woodrow Wilson at the completion of that campaign. FRED VAN NUYS was a lawyer at Lebanon and at Indianapolis, practicing in the best tradition of his profession. At one time he was a partner of Samuel M. Ralston, former Governor and Senator. The stocky, forceful Senator VAN NUYS had long been connected with the liquor problems of America, having won election in 1932 as an advocate of repeal of the eighteenth amendment and modification of the Volstead Act. At the time of his death he was conducting a Senate investigation of the current liquor shortage. Throughout his career he retained his interest in State politics, acting as keynote speaker at a number of State conventions and as a member of the State Democratic executive committee in several campaigns. Senator VAN NUYS' death was mourned by Democrats throughout Indiana. Outstanding members of both parties paid high tribute to his service. All Indiana had faith in his fidelity to duty, his unswerving patriotism, and his personal independence. Senator and Mrs. Van Nuys, the former Marie Krug, had one son, a lieutenant in the Naval Air Corps serving overseas. Senator VAN NUYS was buried at Anderson, Ind., after appropriate and beautiful services in Indianapolis conducted by the Reverend Frederick Brown Harris, D. D., Chaplain of the Senate, and attended by a large delegation of Senators and Congressmen and a host of loyal friends. The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, during the years of Senator VAN NUYS' most active participation in Democratic politics, was published by two of his most intimate friends, Edward G. Hoffman, former Secretary of the Democratic National Committee, and Lew G. Ellingham, former secretary of state. It is now published by William A. Kunkel, Jr., and its editor is Frank Roberts. Both these men were great admirers of Senator VAN NUYS, and following is the editorial run in the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette a few days after his passing. It speaks the sentiment of all of Indiana: "SENATOR FREDERICK VAN NUYS "FREDERICK VAN NUYS, senior United States Senator from Indiana, whose death occurred early Tuesday morning in Washington while he slept, was one of the Hoosier State's most distinguished sons. "His ancestry, his ability, his education, his character, and his personality, all combined to fit him for the high role he was to play in the affairs of State and Nation. "Senator VAN NUYS was a descendant of Johannes Van Nuys, a Dutch immigrant who came to America and settled on Long Island nearly 300 years ago. His father, David H. Van Nuys, was a country doctor who was widely known and respected. "The Senator was a graduate of Earlham College and Indiana law school. From his youth he was a profound student and a leader. "His first public office was prosecutor of Madison County, which he held for 6 years. He was elected to the Indiana State Senate in 1913 and became the Democratic leader. In 1917-18 he served as Democratic State chairman and was then named United States district attorney for Indiana by President Woodrow Wilson. As a legislator he displayed great common sense and progressive tendencies, as a district attorney he was able and fearless. "In the meantime he had moved his residence from Anderson to Indianapolis and became a member of the law firm of which the late Gov. Samuel M. Ralston was the senior partner. He was one of the outstanding lawyers at the Indiana bar. "Soon the former district attorney became a legend in Democratic politics in the State. He was regarded as one of the most authentic spokesmen of the party, serving as keynote speaker at State conventions and helping to write party platforms. He was often importuned to seek elective public office, but refrained from doing so until 1932. In that year when the Nation faced the never-to-beforgotten internal crisis growing out of the depression, he offered himself as a candidate for United States Senator and was elected over the veteran Republican James E. Watson by a plurality of landslide proportions. "His ability was quickly recognized in the Senate when he was named chairman of the powerful Judiciary Committee. He was also a member of the important Foreign Relations Committee. Senator VAN NUYS was reelected to the Senate in 1938. "His career in the Senate was marked by independence. His guides on all legislative matters were his own conscience and his own judgment. He never hesitated to join with the opposition because he feared it might affect his popularity. He was never a mere yes-sayer to President Roosevelt. He was a firm believer in the principles of Jeffersonian democracy, and they were his chart and compass throughout his political life. "He was, as we have said, a profound student. His knowledge of law and his understanding of human nature were matched by few of his colleagues in the world's greatest law-making body. He was forceful in debate and wise in his counsel in committee rooms. "No one ever questioned his integrity or his patriotism for honesty of purpose and love of country were the ruling forces of his heart and mind. "In personal relationships he was kind and courteous. His many admirable qualities brought him respect, admiration, and love. "Senator FREDERICK VAN NUYS fought a good fight. His life is crowded with many years of notable public service. Citizens of Indiana, regardless of party affiliations, are proud of him." Remarks by Representative Elmer Of Missouri Mr. SPEAKER: This is the second memorial service I have attended in this House. Both were impressive. I listened to the eloquent addresses of a year ago and of today and I observed to myself, how fitting. I knew our deceased colleagues for only a short time and cannot appraise them like those who have known them longer. I accept the appraisal of their worth, made by their people who sent them here on the mission to serve our common country. On the surface, it sometimes seems, there is more strife than unity, and when one falls by the wayside his place is so quickly taken by another we forget the comrade of yesterday in greeting the one of today. But not so. The greatest thing in this House is the fellowship among its Members and their respect for each other. The strife comes from the earnestness of each to serve his country in his own way. Such fellowship cannot exist in any body of 435 Members which does not have a common purpose. If all were melted into one mass and poured into one mold there would emerge the image of Uncle Sam-the symbol of our united country. We remember them day by day, and on this annual occasion, show to our fellow Americans we have not forgotten. When Columbus discovered America he saw a light burning on the shore. It was a signal from the New World to the Old, symbolical of the light of liberty that has burned here ever since. God had erected in our country His great lighthouse of freedom-evermore. It has sent its rays to all parts of the world. It has never lost its power, but has grown increasingly bright and strong as the years roll by. |