The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-03-26
A Chapter from the Political History OF
New York.

SANFORD Z. CHURCH entered public life
ns a member of the Assembly of 1872 He
was elected from the Wing county of Or
leans and was the only Democrat in the
Legislature from the Eighth Judicial Dis
trict, which then embraced all the State ly.
ing west of Cayuga
This Legislature contained an unusual
numbcr Of conspicuous men four Of them
had been OF afterward became Speakers ofthe
Assembly, sixteen were representatives in
Congress. two were United States Senators,
four were Judges of the Supreme Court,
three were Comptrollers, two were Sccreta-
ries of State two were Accomplishments,
three were Observation-Disclosures, one was
twice chosen Governor, one was Secretary of
the United States Treasury, and three be-
came foreign Ministers Besides these, some
were unsuccessful candidates at various
times for the most importan; Offices N the
State. For long period it was regarded as
q mark of distinction in New York TO have
been member Of the Legislature Of lsi2.
Many important measures were passed
upon by that Legislature, prominent among
which stood the adoption of the policy in rc-
gard to the canals and the finances which
was subsequently cngratted upon the Con
stituton of 1916. The debates on these
subjects were led by such men rs MICHAEL
HoFFMAE, ERAsTUs RoOT. joins A. Din,
john CRAMER, ARPHAXAD LOOMS, GEORGE
A. SIMMONS, and HENRY A. FOSTER, Then
appeared in public life for the first time
HoRATIo SEYMOUR. Mr.. CHURCH was his
junior by few years, and the youngest
member of the body. Both occasionally par.
licipated in the discussions though CHURCH
thought more than he talked He treasured
up the lessons he learned from the veteran
politicians whose contests he so often wit
messed during the session. Early in the
winter the leaders of opinion in the Assem-.
bly, discovered the solid abilities and rare
tact Of the young Democrat from Orleans.
II devolvcd upon this Legislature to choose,
by joint ballot, the Comptroller, Attorney.
General, and other State officers The Legs.
lature was overwhelmingly Democratic
Prominent at that tine among the young
lawyers Of the Eighth District was GEORGE
p. BARKER of Buffalo. He was a radical
Democrat, remarkably eloquent, highly popu
lar in the western counties, a frank, genial
generous man, little older than CHURCH
between whom and himself there existed q
warm friendship. The Office of Attorney
General had al ways been held by distin
guished lawyers, and usually by veterans in
the profession, of whom AMBROSE SPENCER
Aut
EMMEr and MArTIS VAN BuRES may be
named m far typ e.
A formidable array of Democratic candi
dates for Attorney. General presented them
selves TO the Legislature of 1912 In proc
Of this we need only mention RoDERT II
hoRRIs who had been Recorder and Mayo
Of this city SAMUEL BEARDsLEY, aiterwarC
Chief Justice of the State; AMAsA J. PAR
KER and Henry IIOGEBOOM, Justices of tn,
SUPPER -ourt under the Constitution o
1910 and FREEBoRN G. JEwETT, who, afte
occupying seat in the old Court becam,
Chief Judge Of the Court of Appeals Eacl
Of these able lawyers and skilful politician
was backed by a powerful band of support
ers both in and out Of the Legislature. New
ertheless, CHURCH resolved to drive them al
from the arena with his young friend from
Buffalo.
The Democratic caucus for the nomination
Of State officers met early in Fcbruar,
CHURCH, 1t will be remembered, was IN
emily Democrat from the Eighth Distric
Immediately after the caucus was organize
no made motion that the member or me1