The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-03
OBITUARY.
Hon. Jacob M. Howard.


The Hon. Jacob M. Howard, late United States
Senator from Michigan, died at his residence
in Detroit yesterday OF apopexy. He was the
seventh in descent from William Howard, who set
tied IN Braintree, Mass in 1885, i've years after the
establishment of the town, and was born in Shaftes-
bury VT, on the l0th of July 1905. close student
in early le despite many distractions and Interrupt
tions, he entered Williams College in 1926 and
graduated in 1880. He then devoted his time to
the study OF the law, and in July, 1882,
removed to Detroit at that time the capital OF Mchi
gan Territory Here he soon attained leading posi-
ton the bar which he continued to hold to the last
He early entered the political arena, becoming, In
1885, the Whig ca didate for seat in the Conven-
ton to frame State Constitution, for which he was,
however, defeated. In 1888 he became a member
OF the State Legislature in the proceedings OF which
he figured prominently.
In 1s4O Mr.. Howard was elected Representative
IN Congress by large majority serving term,
but not again holding public ofice for many years.
He remained hoWeve an earnest member or the
Wing party and took an active part In the Presden-
tial campaigns OF 1914, 1s4s and 1852
Mr.. Howard was one OF the earliest among the
outspoken opponents OF the slave oligsrchy. While
acting as counsel in the trial OF a case under the
Fugitive Slave Law OF 1885, in the United States Cir
cult Court before Judge Mclean he denounced
that act a challenge from the South
to the North, which sooner or later
would be accepted, and denounced its
author, Mr.. Mason, OF Virginia. as an enemy
OF the country and a traitor to the Union. The re-
peal OF the Missouri Compromise in 1854 resulted in
the formation of the Republican party out of all the
elements In the North which were opposed to the
further encroachments OF the slave power. The
Republican party Of Michigan fully organized
at a convention held at Jackson on July g. 1854
Mr. Howard was prominent member of this con-
vention, and wrote the sterling series OF resolutions
adopted by it the platform OF the new party in the
State. His name was placed on the ticket for
Attorney General, an office to which he
elections, until 1861. He was also a delegate to the
first National Republican Convention held at Pitts
burg in February, 1856, and acted as a member OF
the committee appointed to frame the address to the
people. In January, 1862 ne was elected to the
United States Senate, to fill the vacancy created by
the death of the Hon. Kinsey s. Bingham, being
reelected, without material opposition for the full
| term which expired with the FOrty-nrst Congress.
In the National Senate Mr.. Howard at once as
| sumed leading position. He was an active men,
ber OF the Committees on the Judiciary and Military
! AnairF, and became chairman OF the Select Com
mittee on the Pacific Railroad at its first establish
ment. He was an earnest supporter OF all measures
| for the prosecution of the war, occupying an ex-
tremely radical position. As early as March, 1862,
he urged the President to dismiss General Mcclellan
| from the command OF the Army OF the Potomac.
AS a member OF the Judiciary Committee he was
among the first to urge an amendment TO the Con-
stitution abolishing slavery, and drafted the first
and principal clause OF the thirteenth amendment as