Litchfield enquirer., 1846-12-31
DEATH OF GEN. ROOT.

HSGen. ERAsTUs RooT, who died in our City on Thursday morning in his 74th year, has played an important part in the political history of our State. Born in Hebron, Conn. in l772, he graduated at Dartmouth College, N. H. and devoted some time to school-teaching, but studied law and settled at Delhi, then in Otsego, now the capital of Delaware County. In l7YS, he was elected 10 the Assembly of this State, to which he was repeatedly reelected.
 He was in politics an ardent disciple of George Clinton, and united in the choice of Jefferson Electors of President, in 1900. In l 1903 he was elected to Congress from his District, and reelected in 1909, 'l2, 'l5 and '3l, serving nine years in all. In lS22, he was chosen Lieut.. Governor, but, becoming dee y involved in MT. Van Buren's Strug- gle to carry the Electoral Vote of New ! York for Crawford in 1924, he was terribly beaten by Gen. Talmage in the excited can vass of that year, when he was proposed for l reelection. He was never afterwards a candidate before the People of the whole | Stae.
 Gen. R. was in Congress when the first United States Bank was refused recharter, lSll,) and though vehement 'Republl- can,' was not heartily satisfied with the course of the majority of his party on that question. Being in Congress in 1916, when Mir. Madison and the Republicans under took to rebuild the fabric they had so recent ly torn down, he concurred heartily in the purpose; but, the bill being so drawn that half the capital might be paid up in Gov ernment Stocks or Debts, (then considera- | bly, below par he refused to support it deem- ing that an unsound basis for Banking The bill passed, however, and no practical evil resulted from the provision he so strong ly deprecated. In l842, when this Bank was before Congress for recharter, Gen. k. was again a member, and for the third time was constrained to oppose his party, being now more convinced than ever of the con stitutionality and expediency of National Bank. He sustained the Recharter, strong ly disapproved the Veto and the subsequent removal of the deposits, and ceased to act with the party who justified them. This threw him out of public life until 1853, when he was elected to the Senate by the Wings of the Third District, having one majority in poll of some 5O,O0O votes. Two others were elected at the Same time, but he drew for the longest term of four yCdIS, WHICH NS ScI1cu <uA Hoo hOt oihCC been in public lie But he cheristel an active and ardent interest in public affairs to the last, and has been one of the most prominent and decided champions of the 'Anti-Rent' cause. We met him last at Utica, at the Whig State Convention last September, which he attended to urge the nomination of Hon. Ira Harris for Govern or He seemed as vigorous in mind and body and as likely to last as al any time since l84O.-His death was very sudden, produced by an inflammation of the kidneys, with which he was seized while OH his way to visit the family of his son-in-law at Washington City.
 Gen. Root was a remarkable man-tall, and stout, with great physical power and energy-a stanch friend and good hatar; ready and effective debater-well inform ed, confident in his own opinions, frank, jealous and reliable. Though an ardent and prominent politician for half a century, he was never an intriguer, and we think no man ever accused him of mean act. He leaves behind but few who were poll icians when he came on the sta ge of public life and if he had somewhat outlived his influ- ence, he had also outlived the enmiles which Power always incurs. Peace 10 his memory !- Tribune. '.'.- H