The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-02-03
o , I r q A n z.

Washington Hunt.
This distinguished citizen Of New York died in this
city yesterday morning. after lingering and painful
illness. in the City sixth year Of his age.
Mr. Hunt was born tho 5th day Of August 1911, in
Inc village OF windham, Greene county, New York His
parents being in moderate circumstances he became
CLERK properly GRAND boy, in tho store OF
kry goods merchant at Lockport, Niagara county. In
this capacity he remained until he had attained his
eighteenth year, when he entered the law office
Of Lo, Clark, Of Lockport, and, after pursuing
his studies for five years, admitted to
che bar OF Niagara county in 1884. His legal
abilities manifested themselves ard obtained for
che young lawyer population h which soon became
only twenty-five years, he was appointed by Governor
Marcy to the position OF first judge Of his county The
responsible duties Of this Office he ably discharged to the
end Of the term, when although pressed accept it, he
declined reappoinment and upon his retirement re-
ceived attering commentator from the Lockport bar
judge Mr.. Hunt rose into prominence az politician
His first appearance before the public 1885, when
and ns ~.s defeated By Mcs ar an
exciting contest, by majority OF a little over forty
voes Upon his defeat he retired from active rariicpa
tion In politics and did re-enter the political
until 1s40 when no broke of ali connection with the
democratic party and advocated the election OF Harri
SON Immediately after this espousal OF whg principles
she voters Of that party in the Niagara district nomi
mated him for Congress ps42) and elected him BY a
handsome majority. In 1874 be received an unanimous
nomination and was elected by larger majority than
Mr. Clay received, and for the third time, In 1886
although much against his wishes, he was once more
member OF the House OF Representatives fully
proved his talent aad ability. AS speaker
words, able argument and elegant and eloquent
delivery. As chairmon of tho Committee of Commerce
ne became favorabiy known; but the act which most
distinguished his Congressional career was his effort in
conjunction with the late Mr. CrtlendeD, To pass the
bill approprang hall million Of dollars to aid the
famine ia Ireland. Although the bill was lost, his earn
aud eloquent speeches In favor Of its passage his
pathetic appeals TO the charity OF the nation and bis
description Of the starving people, made his
famous throughout the United States and Europe and
rendered h Of the most popular wings IN the state
of New York.
Upon the close OF his Congressional term In 1s4s he
declined reelection and announced his intention Of
ailer he was appointed by the Legislature to I'LL the
unexpired term ri Mr.. Fmore's Comptrocrship OF
ci,ned a. In Is4e he was unanimously nominated for
the Office OF Comptroller and was elected by large ma
iorty Mr. Hunt had now about reached the zenith OF
his popularity and fame, and In the following year his
name was almost unanimously proposed by the whig
press for the ONCE OF Governor The Wing Convention
assembled soon after and complied with the will OF the
party nv nominating him for the position After
citing canvass he elected TO the Chef Magisracy Oh
tue State and made able and acceptable Governor
Jrpon the expiration OF his term OF Office In 1897
Governor Hunt announced his final determination 81 not
engaging In politics for the future He therefore firmly
declined all offers that made OF nominations Tor
Offices and retired 10 his handsome farm Lockpor
Here be lived for many years, devo,inr his time ana
attention his friends. his books and 70 the pursuits OF
horticultural The fact that he bad become
Thoroughly dsgustcd with politics. OF s,reng con.
sentative mind he viewed with alarm the radcalsm 81
the opposing partios and being unable to espouse the
principles OF either preferred 70 remain IN retirement
where, surrounded BY subjects more congenis'
10 his tastes, he could avoid the ueina-
gogism which has characterized politics for the
past fifteen years Only once was he tempted 70
leave his retirement aud that was In 1894 when nc ac
cepted the posI,lon OF delegate the Chicago Conven
ton which nominated Mcclellan for the Presidency
From early manhood Mr.. Hunt was memler OF tne
Protestant Episcopal Church. He had been, Tor many
years. delegate to her Diocesan aud Genera Copven
ton and was particularly prominent IN the Convention
which In PHILADELPHIA, IN 1865, IN bringing ABOUT tne
reunion OF the sections OF the Church Temporarily
separated by the rebellion. His views were broadly
niisna aud he always eioquenty maintained the con
sentative value OF tho Episcopal Church os BOND
national union Suffering acuely since Snrterner iron
the attacks f q lingering disease which he bfre VIII
singular resignation and Christian forii,de he entered
into rest in the full possession OF his faculties A. ei
minutes before one o'clock on the morning OF me "a
February.
ia his private as well his public life Mr. Hunt bcu