Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-05-24
THURSDAY, MAY "a, 1882.
JOHN SERGEANT.

father, Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, was native
Of New Jersey, and Represented that state IN the
revolutionary Congresses of l776 and 1777. In
l778 he came to Philadelphia, and was imned'-
ateIy appointed Attorney General, which once ne
held for u awards of two years. Besides the pro-
fessional eminence that he attained, he was dis
tinyuished for his activity and zeal as poiitl-
can. and as one of the most prominent leaders OF
uhat was then called the constitutional party,
and sbich was the basis Of the present Democra.
cyof the state. IL was the party which ranked
among is members then and afterwards Franklin,
Reed, M'Kean, Fnndley, Smile, and many Others
al equal distinction. Mr.. Jonathan sergeant
died in OctoEes, 1898, OF the yellow fever. lie
was one Of the Committee ct citizens, who Vo-
unfairly gave their services to the community at
that Az ul period; and instead OF Tying before the
desola,ing prstence which then ragged, remain.
ed ,o-siye comfort and assistance to the sick and
divine. Mr.. Sergeant's particular duty was to
take Charge of the orphans deprived Of their ma
tural protectors. BY the prevailing maiady, who
were moyided for in house designated Tor that
purpose. He died in the performance oil this
noble duty, leaving ten children, Of whom the
subject of this notice was the second.
- John Sergeant, after being graduated at Prince
ton College, entered compiling house in The Ci-
~ of Philadelphia with the intention Of qualifying
himself for the mercantile profession; but soon be-
COMING dissatisfied with the pursuit he was Undue
cd fortunately for himself and for his country. to
,nrn his attention to the bar After completing the
regular course Of professional study, under the
are of the late Jared Ingersoll. he was admitted
to nractice m the summer Of 1899. From that
time 10 the present. his career as professional
and public man has been signalIy honorable to
himself, and beneficial TO all whose ,nerests,w he-
ther as clients or constituents have been commit
ted TO his care. The same uGbend'ng integrity
and exalted intelligence distinguished ms early
years. that have characterized Nun IN mature lie,
and ha,e so much contributed to secure the PROUD
Distinction winch ne uow enjoys. AT the bar ne
almos, Immediately acquired great reputation,
and in one Of the early volumes OF the Reports OF
orr state. the professional reader will recollect
the G,t,eriuo compliment which is there record
ed as hayine been paid from the bench oil the Su'
preme Court, to Mr.. Sergeant, within a very short
time after his admission.
From his entrance into life, Mr.. Sergeant was
identified With the Democracy OF his native state,
and from the fixed principles OF that party as
aseeraincd by its original advocates IN the course
Of a long public life he has never swerved. In
the wear 1900, not year alter he commenced the
practice Of the law, he was appointed deputy
Attorney General, by Governor Mexican; and
in 1902. was made Commissioner OF Bankrupt
cy. nv Mr.. Jefferson. In 1905, he was elected
To- the Legislature Of the State, from the City Of
philadelphia, aud after declining rejection the
f,Ilow,ng wear. was again elected in 1907. Dur
mo this session. the attention Of the Legislature
was epyrossed by many subjects OF momentous
interest. in the discussion of all OF which Mr..
Sergeant. though one Of the Youngest members IN
the Hoase. bore an active aud distinguished part,
and was regarded by all parties, at time too when
nautical raneor was most active, as one o' me most
nuwerful aud accomplished debaters. His sue
cessful exerlons in conjunction with the other
leaders of the party, 10 avert'ng the threatened
;mnrachment Of the then Executive. gained him
M little additional reputation. During the ses.
,ion of 1913, Mr. Sergeant was Chairman OF
the Committee ON roads and Inland Navigation,
and it Was during that session that the nrst act
was passed giving the direct aid OF the STATE 10
turnrike reads in the form OF bill, emanatIns
from the Committee Of which MIR. Sergeant was
Chairman, appropriatiug about two hundred thou
sand dollars for the Improvement OF the State"
In the course of long legislative llte' Mr. Ser
reant has omitted no opportunity OF promoting
the cause Of virtue and morality, aud on two oc-
cssions, removed from each other ey long inter,
val, has had it IN his power. by direct personal
and official agency. to sustain u. Inc Dill ih'ro,
duced into the Legislature OF pennsylvania, anu
passed into law, effectuaiiy to prevent masque-
rades. one Of the most dangerous modes OF Eu-
ropean luxury and RIGHTEOUSNESS. was suggested
and triumphantly advocated by Mr. Sergeant, in
the session Of 1907, and now places our statute
hook i'm honorable contrast with those OF other
states. whose recent legislation has only supplied
the deficiency When IN the House OF Repre-
senta,lyes of the Union, twenty years afterwards,
a np,i,icn was presented. PRAYING OF Congress au-
thority to establish lotteries in the District OF Co
lpmbia-Mr. Sergeant, then representing the Ci,
~ Of Philadelphia. rose. and in short but mas
tsrly speech. protested with so much power and
eluGuence, against the further legislative authori
ty Of this baueful species OF gambling, that not
only was the suggestion promptly w''harawn' out
=. Committee was instructed to prepare bill for
aver abolishing the lottery system within the ju-
r;.diction of the Federal Legislature.
These are two incidents in Mr.. Ssrgeants ca