The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1874-03-19
A VETERAN LEGISLATOR.

MINISCENCEs OF THE NOTED LEGIsLA
TORS OF THAT TINE
To the Editor Of the Tribune.
SIR: Even at the risk of wearying
your readers in the pursuit of the oldest
surviving member of the New York LIE
gislature, l venture to ask for one more
hearing As anticipated in my last com
muuication, a Legislative "Trip Van
Winkle" has turned up !" The veteran.
as will be seen by his cordial and kindly
letter, has long been resident of sis
ter State:
SrRoUDsBURG, Pa. ] Feb 25, 1874.
My OLD FRIEND: Happening to no
tice in THE TRIBUNE of Feb Il a con
troversy between yourself and f T Foo;e
of New Haven, as to the ''eldest living
members of the New York Legislature" !"
| thought l would correct you both by
Informing you will Of what you readily re
collect-that in 1917 | was elected mem
ber of the Legislature from Chenango
County, aud served in the session of 1918
My colleagues were Perez Randall Of Nor
wlch aud lilly Lynch OF Sherburne, both
pow deceased. In your paper know some
of my brilliant" efforts made heirappear
ance l was then 90 or 27 years of age,
being the youngest member Of the House,
| and am now S4-G0d save the mark
| have not had the pleasure of reading
your interesting letter Of "reminiscences of
the New York Legislature, aud would be
pleased 10 have you send me a copy, if in
PRINT | have written you this missive
for the sake Of historical accuracy, and
not from any personal ambition for no
toriety.
removed to this county some seven
years since, from Honesdale, WAYNE
County, and was shortly afterward ap
pointed one Of the Judges of Monroe
County, from which you will perceive l
still retain my ancient political prediec-
tons. [ will simply add that it gives me
some pleasure to assist yoa in un nhorsing
your rival (Foote) in bis ambitious pre-.
tensions to distinction in longevity. Your
old Chenaugo friend, S 6 THRooP.
The Hon. Thurlow Weed
Losing sight for many years of this old
friend, assumed that he had jourueyed
to THAT far country from whose bourne
nc traveller returns" | remember Simon
eager Throop, not only as mem Der of the
Legislature of 1918, but as a rising mem
Der of the CheDango bar, residing at Ok
ford, with james Clapp and Henry Van
derlyn as professional cotemperaries, all
young men of remarkable ability. Clamp
aud Throop were puaradvocatcs, Van
derlyn seutentious aud epigrammatic. Que
of the brilliant efforts" referred to by
Mr.. Throop was his stirring and eloquent
apostrophs in the Assembly to the por-
trait of Washington suspended behind
the Speakers chair, invoking the spirit
OF 1.-The Father of his Country" to impart
his wisdom and patriotism for their guild
ance in reference to the important meas
ures then under consideration That
apostrophe doubt not is RENE n bered by
my friend aud neishbor, Judge Michael
Ulshoefier. who was also a 10 ue1nber of the
Assembly in 1873, aud with whom of
ten gossip about men and things in the
odeu time.
remember also 10 the Assembly OF
1920, when Mr. Ulshocffer, then youth.
iul aud handsome, had made an animated
speech upon the impeachment or Judge
Van Ness, Elisha Williams in reply, after
plimentiug "his eloquent young friend
from New York." added, that when
Time with it's mellowins Influences shall
have touched and tinged his graceful
whiskers aud clipped the wings of his
exuberant Imagination, he will learn, if
not to coustrue more charitably, at least
to accept less readily upproven accusa,
tions against eminent citizens"
The Mr.. Randall referred to as col
league of Mr.. Throop was also one of ny
cherished friends, and father ol Samuel
s. Randall, so long and usefuly eopuec
ted with our public schools.
The letter Of Dr. Elial T. Foote, in yes
terday's TRIBUNE, freshens old legislative
memories. The Assembly of 1920 was
indesk distinguished by the presence OF
an unusually large number OF eminent men
| doubt whether before or since as many
truly gifted men have been seen and
heard in that hall | have distinct re
memberance of the impeachment tria! of
Judge William W Van Ness. | lis
tened, as DR. T did. with admiring inter
est to Thomas Adds Emmett of whose
character and eloquence | entertained a
high opinion. But | was much more in
teusely Interested by the close and logical
argument aud the impressive eloquenee
of the reply from an advocate till then
unkown to me. That advocate was John
Duer, whose fine person, courtly manner,
clear voice, aud distinct enumeration took
the House by surprise, charming its at
tention from the beginning to the end OF
his great speech MIR Daer took his posi-
tion near the north fireplace, leaning his
shoulders during most of The time against
map suspended on the wall Ills gesti
culation was quiet but effective Able as
was the effort of Mr.. Emmett, | then
thought aad think yet that the speech of
Mr. Daer was still more able aud Ger
tainly more telling. Tw
Mem York March 3 1874