New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-04
THG LEGISLATURE IN 1920

LETTER FROM Rx-AssEMBLYMAs e. T. PooTE-A
MEMBER or THE ASSEMBLY OF 1918 STILL LILY
IsG-ISIEREsTING REMINISCENCEs or THE LEO
IsIATORs or HALF A CENTURY AGO.
TO the Bdttor Of Thc Tribune.
SIR: In your paper early in this month SAW in
the proceedings of the New-York Assembly that the
Hon. Thurlow Weed was acknowledged 10 be tho
Oldest living OK -member of that body. having been
a member IN 1895 RecOllecting that the Hon. Her
man Camp Of Tumansburg, New-York, and myself
had been members in 1920, and that he was still lv
ing wrote confidential letter to the Hon. Is. i.
Brewer of the Assembly, from Chautauqua County.
apprising him of the fact that the error might be
corrected ~ supposed that we were the oldest ex'
members of that body, but saying that II L was
mistaken | should be glad to be spprised Of The
factn NV letter. contrary to my expectation. was
published. az have been informed. in Albany. aud
transferred into other papers, whore first saw 1t IN
print Mr. Weed promptly and honorably admitted
the error and stated should not be surprised II
our letters should wake up some legislative Rip Van
Wrinkles. and 80 they did. l have just re-
ceiyed letters apprising me that tho Hon. David
l.. Judson. banker, of Ogdensburg, n, T., "a native
of Ltch6eid County. Conn. and pioneer settler
of st. Lawrence County N Y. was member of the
Assembly in 1913. aud is now healthy active man.
and houored citizen of Ogdcnsburg Also, thai tho
Hon. Lew Robbins . member of Assembly from
Lewis County in 1872 is now living in Denmark.
n Y in good health and active life. at the age or g.
have also just seen = communication in The Albany
Rreaiug Journal of the It'll inst informing me thas
the Hon. John j. Van Valkenburg fellow member
of 1920 still living at his residence, in Columbia
County n. Y. hale and hearty at % years of age
am rejoiced to learn the fact. l rec0lect him we'll
az a fellow -boarder at Dunns, most genial man. OF
good sense and judgment. and worthy member I
should be gratfed to take him by the hand once
more IL may be that there still earlier eX-mem
bers than have named. Ii so, should be grstiied.
az said in my letter to Mr. Brewer to be appraised
Of the fact"
Now ~ to "prickiug bubbles" or taking wind
out Of Sails claim no honor from priority Of mem
bershp but desire true history and wish to thank
fully acknowledge my gratitude to Him who has
spared US long and permitted us to enjoy 80 many
mercies believe we have all led active. temperate
lives and are still ts advocates Why not have the
annual civil list record the deaths of deceased mem
bers in figures opposite their names, the trennal
catalogues of our colleges do of deceased graduates
1t would be an item Of interest in history and 70
survivors.
The session of 1870 was to me the most interesting
year Of my legislative experience was among the
youngest members. l served the Committee on
Canals Of which tho Hon. George Huntington was
Chairman l also served the Committee on
Roads aud Bridges The Canal Committee met fro
quently and their sessions often long, and .
number of the Committee were among the most
talented members of the House and the whole State
especially the West, took deep interest in their
labors. The testimony aud plans of Messrs. HOley.
Geddes and other able men were highly interesting
That session the Legislature contained greater
array Of talent than L in the Assembly
and questions Of great importance and producing
much excitement before them. The choice OF
United States Senator the Legisature at the pre-
vious session having failed to elect the attempt TO
impesch Judge Van Ness. the settlement Of Gov
Tompkinss accounts the construction Of the grand
canal were all prominent and exciting question:,
and led to much discussion aud | do verify believe
- that in great skill in argument, parliamentary
tact pungeucy Of w.t. and clear sound, logical pow.
err Of mind few of the age would have exceIeS
Messrs Oakley, L. Williams, f. Boot j. c. Spencer,
UlshOeffer, ROmaine, aud McKOwn" In the SENATE
too were Messrs. c. Granger, Martin Van buren, and
other talented men. l earnestly recommend public
men of the present day to read their arguments,
The argument of Mr.. Emmett the counsel OF Judge
Van Ness before the Legislature, was mastery
effort which never shall forget i never was 90
deeply affected by any legal argument, and when be
alluded to the British precedents on trials in Par
lament which had been quoted by the prosecution.
and made his criticism on them. was Involuntary
brought to tears as some other members.
New Haven. Conn. Feb. q. 1874. +. 1. Fo0TR.