Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-10-06
DEATH OF SAMUEL COVE

Several days ago we annonnceo tne sun
den and alarming illness OF Hon. Samuel
Cony of this city. He was at bangor
whittier be had gone in apparent health
when on Wednesday, Sept. l4th, he was
stricken down. On the 18th he succeeded
In reaching home, but has been confined
to his house ever since, and finally yieldeo
his life at two o'clock yesterday afternoon.
His disease was complete prostration OF
the nervous system, and though at times
he seemed to rally after the first shock,
there has been no hope of his recovery
since he was attacked. A few weeks ago
he had the appearance of perfect health,
but even then his constitution was under
mined, though none but himself and per-
haps not he was conscious of it. Probably
the severe strain upon his energies in the
war was the chief cause of his unexpected
death. Most of those who bore the
heavy responsibilities of providing for
the contingencies Of the rebellion have
gone down to early graves, or linger
awhile longer with shattered constitutions.
Governor Cony was an industrious, able
and indefatigable worker at his post as
Chief Executive of the State while the re-
bellion lasted, a worthy associate and fel-
low worker with such men as Andrew and
Stanton. The State will mourn his loss as
that of one who did her noble service.
He was known as model officer in the
discharge of his duties; few will forget
his promptness, courtesy and kindness
even while he was wearied with exhaust
ing and perplexing labor. Our city feels
his death koenly. He was one of our
foremost men. Though seemingly retired
from active life he took lively interest in
public affairs until his last sickness, con-
tributing by his pen to carry on the late
political campaign.
Samuel Cony was born in Augusta, Feb
~, 1911, and is therefore a native of this
city and fifty-nine years of age at his de-
cease. His father was Gen. Samuel Cony.
In 1929 he graduated at Brown University,
and afterwards read law with Hiram Bel
cher at Pennington. In 1882 he was adj
mitted to practice at the bar. He subse-
quently settled at Oldtown, and practised
his profession. Here he received his first
political honor, being elected to the Leg
islature in 1885. In politics he was dem
ocrat, and continued to act with that party
until the rebellion broke out In 1889 he
was chosen a member of Governor Fair
fields Council, and the following year was
appointed Judge Of Probate for Penobscot
County, holding the latter office seven
years. In ls47 he was appointed Land
Agent, and held the position until 1850,
when he was elected State Treasurer.
Upon receiving this office he removed to
Augusta, where he continued to reside I'M
til his decease. He continued State Treas
urer five years, the constitutional limit.
In 1860 he acted with the Douglas wing
of the democratic party. In 1861 he en-
rolled himself among the war democrats,
giving to the government an honest and
vigorous support in its efforts to suppress
the rebellion. So decided was his position
in support of the war, that proposition
made to the republicans of this city to unite
with the democrats and elect him repre-
sentative to the Legislature was rejected
by the latter. In 1862 the republicans
took him up and he was elected represen-
tative over the democratic candidate, and
from that time forward he continued to
act steadily with the republicans, believ-
ing that the salvation of the Union and
government was paramount to all other
political questions, and demanded a union
of all without regard to party. In 1868
he was nominated for Governor, repre-
senting as candidate the union of the
parties and the prosecution of the war,
and upon this idea was handsomely
elected three years in succession.
As Governor of the State he fulfilled all
the expectations which were raised by his
nomination. He was prominently devo-
ted to the cause of the government, never
tagging in his zeal or shrinking from re-
sponsibility, but giving the best energies
of mind and body to his country. Meas
ures that would conquer the rebels were
what he held to, though slavery was sac
rificed, and the masters subjugated. His
messages show that he believed in
thorough suppression of the rebellion. and
thorough reconstruction upon the basis Of
suffrage for the blacks and equal rights fol
all, without regard to race or color. In his
day he did his duty manfully. The State
honors him for his labors. His memory will
be cherished long among our people fol-
what he did to save the country in its peril,
and his example will stand in our history
as one worthy to be observed by posterity
The reduction of the public debt in Sep
TENDER was S9,007 ,49S. This was several