New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-03-18
Ambrose spencer.

Ambrose spencer.
This eminent citizen and learned civilian oceu-
pied distinguished place in the esteem and
Affections of the people of the State OF New York,
and was for many years actively engaged IN the
public service, Legislative, executive, and judicial
Few men received unequvoca tokens Of the sppro
cation Of the wise and good-and 1t would be impossible
to name any connected with the politics Of this State
who was more unsparngy and systematically traduced
slsndered and lbeed, than Ambrose Spencer.
HIS birthplace Salisbury. In Connecticut the corner
town Of the state adjoining Massachusetts and Newfofk
tDu.chess County) Peter b. Porter. byron Holey,
ore n Hoey AID Elisha whittlesey Of Ohio, were ma
lives Of Sslisoury.
Judge Spencer. and his brother Philip graduated at
Harvard University in July 1888 when the former, who
was born on the 18Th Of December 1865, was but IL
years and months old. Their father, mechanic and
farmer IN very moderate cl,umstances sent them to
Tale College in l77s Yours Spencer must have pos
sessed rstae talents and been very diligen student
10 obtain the h0Dors Of Harvard In bis 18th year.
He began the study OF the the once of Mr.. John
Garfield OF Sharon, Connecticut, whose daughter, Laura
be married. when in his 18th year. In l7se he was ap
roned Clerk OF the City OF Hudson, and in 1898 elected
70 the Assembly Of this State by Columbia County lie
acted with the Federal party, sent by them to the
senate In 1885, and again elected Senator In 1881 lie
was also member the Council OF APPOINTMENT whose
cuty was TO select candidates for public ofees In the
state That year. however he left the federansts VINO
ware then In the zenith of their power and united win
DE Witt Cunten promote the election OF Thomas JS
fsson to the Presidency 1t is said that be demnrred 20
the Alien and Sedion LAWS but be that as II may ne
united himself with the Republicans, and faithfully ae'ed
with them during the last bali century OF his evenul me-
When they obtained power In the Assembly In leop'
De Witt Clinton Ambrose Spencer, and two Others were
chosen Council Of Appointment, and had the patronage
the State at their disposal In lsOl MI spencer De
came Attorney Gepers when only 81 years Of and
In 1904 was placed he be oh Of the Supreme Court
Ir sls he was appointed Chief Justice Of the STATE
Judge. he became member Of the Council Of Re-
vision whose duty to revise and state any oec-
tons they had to- any bill had passed the Senate and
Assembly. The following extracts from his Official pro-
,st against the passage Of charter of the Merchants
Bank of this City, will explain his temper and principles
better than studied commentary;
ITO sanction bill thus marked in its progress through
one branch Of the Legislature with bribery ana coirrp
stop oud be subvoIsve OF all pure legislation and 70
eons re prosch TO government hitherto renowned for
the wdom Of its councils and the integrity VI IT'S Less
sure and II would, moreover become preeeasn' aa'
s,roos in the hishest degree In ali future times 49,,
There are good grounds 10 apprehend that should tne
.nsc,msnt 20 means the most foul and unwarrantabe
Thus want Of confidence will be produced en the psIt
NAV be it rea and In the end the pablo functlonses
win lose respect and confidence so essential TO Ihe
maintenance of the laws and the uPho'"ins Oh "''e
The Senate had not as they ought to hsye had an o2
portunty Of acting on the said bill Since the disclosure
~ scene Of bribery and corruption hitherto Unparalleled
n Eannot be believed bad been known TO that branch o.
B,k had authorized individuals to corrupt their mem
bel that they would have eonnenanced snd much lees
that they have passed the bill In case thus CIR
the said bin ought receive the sanction
Of the Council
The duties of the Judiciary. tho Legislature and the
Executive were very much concentrated In the same
hands in those days. They better distributed al
present In May 1907 Judge speneers nrst wife, Mrs
Laura Spencer the mother OF John c. and Capt Am
bose Spencer died st Albany after lingering Illness In
the a0ih yesr OF her age she was Al eSoeen' A''A''
aud highly accomplished lady
N, n.,u,,l disposition" says the Albany Gase.te,
WAS uniformly mild and pleassnt-her Ps;y inYung
and anaaectedhsr whole Department. N c,s t
ilv she has left example fni OF eonsY.ei" sI "a
sSucon and to her fellow pIoesss =, ,"e H. s1ss
"a sassscv of ervcifed Christ Being enabled oy tne
grace OF God receive him "a her bofa sne az vs
not ashamed Of him in the circle N wne sac
sb Sors ny bis unuttei sh precious
psss sdornins her profession with so'pei, a.. con-
Sumption Of the lungs, abe sought TO SORRY oq1
patience under Bis rod and submission TO h' VII &c h,
ps aed 10 the Redeemer Of sinners in the time OF ue
health she was not torsaken BY Hin 10 her '"
death"
On the 18th OF Dec. ieVi, Jucgo y was msiiaeN " 49,
n, Knisbt in this City. to Mrs Mary Norton, eldest
a.usn,er Of Gen james Clinton. She died on the AN OF
s.n, lsos. In Sept 1909, the Judge married another
shsr of Gen Clinton. both ladies being sisters Of the
Lab, GOV Clinton and who had bees previously married 10
s,mue and Bsfridge Merton, brothers, deceased
In 1872 Judge Spencer, who had aided Mr.. Jefferson
election in 1901 heartily supported Me- Madison ana INC
war and united with Gov. Tompkns In ssuenuoos eiO'
10 defeat the passage Of I'LL to eehsrisT The
OF the first T. s. Bank state institution ID TINS N'v,
with sx millions Of capital under the title OF tho Bank o.
America, believing that many members Of ne Legislature
hsd tempered with and that The P'VnsAe
and corrupt. Itwss his urgent request that "ov' l.
prsrosusd the Legislature. appealed to the people and
ssenred the tide OF venslity ardent persevefins
and rm efsupose his sterling honesty ard love of truth
and justice sbonc conspicuous through life prolonged
beyond fourscore.
The Ju6ge Of opinion that Grsa, Britain would re-
card the defeat Of Msilson In November. 1872 a.
demnstion Of the war In which the Nation had he
thought most nghteoasly engaged and that would be
destructive OF the unity Of sentiment that pervaced and
was essential the Republican party Therefore II
that he separated himself for time from his highly gifted
brother in-aw and friend. Ds witt Clinton lie had the
highest regard for Gen John Armstrong. upheld him a.