The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-01
o DIT y UAK 2.
Isaac v. Fowler.

Elsewhere In the HERALD OF ttG morning is an
nounced the death. ct Chicago. On Wednesday last
OF Isaac v. Fowler. formerly OF this city. He was
born in Newburg, Orange county, in this State some
time during the year 1914, received good education
and studied law. Upon being admitted to the bar
he moved 70 New York, where he practised his pro-
fession with success being regarded as one OF the
ablest and most reliable of metropolitan lawyers
Mr.. Fowler soon attained to prominence as demo-
cratic politician. although he sought no office and
was never elected to one. HIS influence. how
ever, was great, and tt judiciousy exer-
cised In behalf OF the political organization to
which he belonged From the start be attached
| himself To the Tamm.~. S--'-.E ga hafors
. --.-.-...y ovviety,
many years became prominent member thereof.
III 1900 ne was elected Grand Sachem OF the Society,"
holding that position until his unfortunate defalca-
ton became known and he was forced to seek safety
IN night He was regarded as the leader OF the Tam
many branch OF the metropolitan democracy, and
snere Is no doubt mat at one period the power he
held ia political circles was great There was no
State or national convention that he was not mem.
per OIL ana prominent particlpator IN The Intrgues
gressmen and Governors. II was a somewhat sim
gular fact, too, that Notwithstanding his influence,
any ofIlce OF importance, to which he could have
been readily elected In city like this with her large
democratic majority.
The only Office OF consequence which Mr.. Fowler
ever held was one by appointment, and that proved
ms bane ana gave MN notorlety winch DESTROYED
appointed him postmaster of the city OF New York.
Upon Mr.. Buchanan's accession to the presidency
was any deficit IN his accounts 1t Ia impossible to
positively determine. His official returns to
with not the slightest evidence of Irregularities
about them. II has been asserted, however, that
some $40 600 or sac, 900 But. be that as it NAV
II IL undeniably true that from October, 1858. TO
May, 1850, the authorities OF Washington
fully aware OF deficiency existing In his accounts.
Why an invest cation was not ordered and made
when the fact was first learned, has also never been
told. But on the 18th OF May, 1850, MIR. Fowler
learned that orders had been issued for his removal
rom ONCE and Tor an agent Of the government to
had been making desperate efforts to raise sum.
cheney OF funds with which to conceal his defacation
and without ayall. II 10 related OF him that he
wandered over the streets OF New York until day.
light OF the morning OF the l4th when he visited the
Post once and found another in possession
He learned OF his impending danger aud fed
from justice. After years passed In exile he re-
turned to his native land some two years ago, the
government having abandoned the criminal prose
cution against him. He came back, meeting many
Ing politicians, and whose faith In him had never
cation amounted to $4,000, which proved total
cover part OF this sum from his sureties, George
Law and Gustavus A. Conover. but the government
had been aware or the deficiency months
before 1t made public and, not
having prosecuted then, had become q
party to the crime. thus saving the suretles harm
less VI responsibility Whether the money went to
defray election expenses as was asserted by some.
or was used In speculation patents and other
things, was affirmed by others, Is a mooted ques
ton. 1t seems probable, though, that both com.
Dned to produce the deficiency.
Upon his return TO the United States Mr.. Fowler
went TO Chicago, where he was residing at the time
Of his death His career looked upon IN the light
We shall not. however, deacant upon his weakness
or crimlnality In the case which made him notor-
GUS He dead; II Is best to let his faults and the
memory or them, II possible, die with him.