The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-30
w. l.. Sharkoy.

w. Il. Sharkey.
william L. Sharkey, Ex-Governor OF mississippi.
died In Washington at an early hour yesterday
morning, after an illness OF six weeks duration.
He was carried of, by an attack OF typhoid pneu-
monia at the age OF eighty three years. He was
born In South Carolina but emgrated TO Mississippi
at early period in the history OF that State-say
fortythree years since. He studied law, wac called
to the Bar and soon became eminent as jurist
and not less SO as q political leader. In the year
1865 he was elected United States Senator from
Mississippi, to fill the unexpircd term OF
Jefferson Davis, after having then being
honored with more State offices than any
man in the State, perhaps, except Ex-Governor
Gilbert Galatin Brown. His talent soon gave him
a prominent position, although he belonged to the
whig party. which was largely in a minority in
Mississippi during most oil his career. He was
member OF the Mississippi House, Speaker OF that
body. and Chancellor OF the State In that position
ne ACQUIRED by the ability ana Importance OF MS
high rank with the great law lights OF America.
He conducted himself In office as to win the
plaHdits OF his opponents even in time of pas
slonate political excitement. During MIR. Fill
more's administration he was appointed Consul to
Havana, and was In Cuba during the memorable
hlibustering expedition or Lopez and his CON-
panions. In his relations to the abolition question
he was considered the most moderate In his hos
tility TO 1t OF the public men OF Mississippi. He
was uniformly an underwriting Union man up to
the beginning OF the war. la 1862 he was arrested
IN payment OF debts by order OF General
Van Dorm. he took no part In the war,
giving his attention rs best he could to
his private business, so that his anJecedents
as well as his talents, and the general respect felt
Tor his private character, qualified him to take the
lead In the Union reorganization OF the State.
Judge sharkey was, before the war, the leader OF
the constitutional union party" OF Mississippi,
and was presented by the delegates OF his State as
a suitable candidate for the Presidential nOmina-
tion to the Convention which nominated Bell and
Everett In $780, In the year 1S49 Judge Sharkey
took issue with JEFF. Davis on the question OF
Mississippi Reputation, and as Judge OF the Court
OF Appeals, declared the State debt to be con-
stitutional and legal, and that 1t was obi
gat0ry on Mississippi to assume and pay
II. In the month OF December 1865, the
President OF the United States through the Secre-
tary OF state relieved Judge Sharkey or the trust
OF Provisional Governor OF Mississippi, and recog-
nized his duly elected successor In the person OF
Governor Humphreys. The letters addressed to
them were similar to those written to the PrOvi-
sonal Governors and Governors OF the other South
ern states, remitting to the constituted auth0ri-
ties chosen by the people the care and conduct of
their proper AFFAIRS. In personal appearance he
was dignined but anable and unassuming. His
height was FULLY six feet, and his figure sufficiently
developed TO avoid gauntness. His face wore o
kindly expression, and was eminently Of a con-
templatiye aud judicial mould rather than execu-
tive.