The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-08
OBITUARY.
Hon. Abiiah Mann,

Hon. Abiiah Mann.
The telegraph announces the death of Abiiah
mann, Jr.' one OF the most remarkable men OF
New York State, at the age of IS years. 1t is
impossible to contemplate his decease without
lively emotions. The time is brought to
memory when his Vulcanic eloquence used to
De heard In the Legislature, Congress, or
political conventions, always for the overtime "
OF what he regarded as some monstrous abuse
or scheme to deiraud the public treasury. Wnen
he was on the stage In active life the Demo-
cratic party was in its glory; and such men "A
Van Buren, Butler, Silas Wright, Marcy, Michael
Hoffman were his familiar associates and the
directors OF its fortunes. He was one of the
last TO pass from public view; nor did he till
bodily indrmity compelled him to renounce
active participation in affairs. He was born at
Fairfield, in Herkimer county, N. Y, on the Gath
day OF september, 1898, and was favored with
an excellent mother, who bestowed great care
upon his early training. He was q some what
wayward youth, bat he never omitted to pay
her the tribute OF veneration. In 1854, at the
last New York Democratic Slate Convention
which he ever attended, he mentioned her:-
81 learned to hate slavery cned the tottering,
but impetuous old man, when / said my
prayers at my mothers knees" He early
became politician, q Republican of the
Tompkins school, and glorled In wearing the
"bucktail.n He soon became o man of mark;
was elected justice OF the peace, appointed post
master, and finally became memoer of Assem-
bly, of his native State in 1928, He served three
successive terms, obtaining a wide notoriety for
his active hostility to the proposed Cbenango
canal. at cannot 0e of lasting benefit" he de-
clared In speech; "a man can as easily lift
himself over the fence by the slack of his pau
taloons." Mr.. Mann was elected to Congress in
1882, and reelected in 1884. He became as
remarkable AT Washington as at ALBANY On
one occasion he was appointed committee to
investigate the affairs of the United States
Bank. He repaired to this city, but was
refused access to the books Of the Institution.
He Immediately procured laborers and set
them 10 excavate their way under tue
building. This proceeding induced the
officers to let Mr.. Mann have his way;
and he made Q thorough investigation. Mr..
Mann used to relate the story with great zest:-
81 had been desired by General Jackson" said
he, ITO come immediately to the Presidents
house at any hour on my return to Washinaton.
mittance. My name IS Mann, said l, 'and the
President wants to see me- 1 was admitted
General Jackson had just risen from the bed
and walked up and down the room in an old
pear like a ghost. TELL me- he demanded,
how stands the caseH / told him the
names of members of both Houses of
Congress who had received mouey from the
bank, and he made comments as [ told. Naming
one most distinguished Senator, / added
$7O,OOO.' That money is we'll SPENT cried
General jackson; he is an able man. manned
Southern Senator, still living, adding 'S6OOO.'
Too much, too much, cried the old man; he is
only country village lawyer, SO [ went
through the whole catalogue, detailing one of
the most extraordinary cases of official corrup-
tigation, the removal of the deposits, etc., are
part of the history of the times and require no
recapitulation. Mr.. Mann left Congress at the
expiration OF General Jackson's term. and was
elected again that same autumn to the New York
Assembly. He took lively interest in political
matters, generally acting with the Republicans,
but retaining his early attachment for the dis.
tinctive financial views OF the Barnburners. He
was greatly dissatisfied with the slackness of Mr..
Lincoln's administration in dealing with the
Rebels; and was more Than suspected of having
voted for Mr.. Seymour in 1862. But the ensuing
winter disabused him thoroughly. Meeting the
Governor in the Comptroller's. office, he fixed
his eye on him with the peculiar glance, aud
said:-"Governor Seymour, hear that you have
sinned away your day of grace; aud believe it.
You had the brightest of opportunities, but you
have thrown them away, believe, forever. You
might have been President; but you never will
be-" MIR. Mann Was occasionally to be seen in
the streets, moving along with blurred eyesight,
and almost incapable OF recognizing his friends;
but his natural force" was abated. He al ways
expressed his opinions boldly. He criticized
freely the acts Of Mr.. Seward and Others, and
did not quite overcome the aumosities of his
early stirring political encounters.