New-York tribune., 1874-03-06
A VETERAN LEGISLA TOR

TnURL0w WEEDS DIsCOyERY-A LETTER FROM TIN
HON g. a. TuRooP, A MEMBER or rIE ASSEM-
BLY, IN OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES or TIE SOTED
LEGISLATORS or THAT TIME.
To the Edlt0r Of Yhe TribuHe.
SIR: Even st tho risk of wearying your readers IN
tho pureuit Of the oldest Surviving member of the
New York Legislatun. venture to ask for more
hearing. As anticipated IN my last communication.
a Legislative Rip Van Winklo" has turned np'"
The veteran, as will DO by his cordial and
kindly letter has long been resident OF sister
state:
sTGoUDsBURG, Penn. Feb. 10, 1874.
MY OLD FRIEND: Happening to notice IN The TInB
UsE Of Feb 81 controversy between yourself and f.
Foote Of New-Hayen. as TO the oldest living members
Of the NewYork Legislature" thought would correct
you both by informing Of what you will readily reco
lect-tbat in 1917 was elected member OF the LegS
ature Chenango County and served in the sesson
of 1873 Ny colleagues Perez Randall OF Norwich
and Tiy Lynch Of 5herbuTno, both now deceased. In
your paper know some OF my brilliant Efforts made
their appearance then 26 or 81 years OF age being
the youngest member VI the House, aud ain nov g.
God save the narkl
have not had the pleasure of reading your interest
Ing letter OF "reminiscences Of the NewYork Legislature
and would be pleased to have you send me a copy II IN
print Ihave yOu this mssive for the sake of
historical accuracy and not from any personal ambition
for nOtoriety.
removed To this county years since. from
Honesdae. Wayne County, and was shortly afterwarf
appointed one OF the Judges OF Monroe County. from
which you will perceive stil retain my ancient political
predictions will simply adj that 1t gives me soms
pleasure to assist you in unhorsing your rival ooe) In
his ambitious pretensons TO distinction In longevity
Your old Chenango friend. s. G. TBRooP
The Hon. Thurlow Weed
Losing sight for many years Of this old friend,
assumed that he had journeyed to that far country
IL 4
Der Simon eager Tbroop, not only as member of
the Legislature of 18lS but az rising member OF
tho Chenango bar, residing at Oxford. with James
Clapp and Henry Vanderlyn as professional cotem-
poraries all young men of remarkable ability Clapp
and Throop were popular advocates Vanderlyn sen
tentOus and epigrammatic. One OF the " brilliant
efforts" referred to by Mr.. Throop was his stirring
and eloquent apOstrophe In the Assembly to tho
portrait of Washington suspended behind tho
Speakers chair, invoking the spirit OF the Father
of his Country" to mparthis wisdom and patriotism
for their guidance in reference to the Important
measures then under consideration Thatapostrophe
doubt not is remembered by my friend and neigh
Dor, Judge Michael Ulshoefer, who was also mem
Der of the Assembly in 1918, aud with whom often
gossip about men and things in the olden time.
remember also in the Assembly of 1920. when
Mr. Ulshoetfer then youthful and handsome, hal
made an animated speech upon the impeachment OF
Judge Van Ness Elisha Williams in reply after com
plimenting "his eloquent young friend from New
York" added that when Time with its mellowing
influences shall have touched and tinged his grace
full whiskers and clipped the wings Of his exuberant
imagination, he will learn if not to construe
charitably at least to accept less readily unproyen
accusations against eminent citizens"
The Mr.. Randall referred to a colleague of Mr..
Throop was also one of my cherished friends. and
father of Samuel s. Randall. so long and usofully
connected with our public schools.
The letter of DR.. Elial L. Foote, in yesterdays
TRIBUNE freshens old legislative memories The
Assembly Of 1920 was indeed distinguished by the
presence of an unusually large number of eminent
men. doubt whether before many truly
gifted men have been seen and heard in that hall.
have distinct remembrance of the mpoachment
trial of Judge William w. Van Ness. listened a.
Dr. T. did. with admiring interest to Thomas Adds
Emmett Of whose character and eloquence / enter
tanned a high opinion But was much more in
tensey interested by the close and logical argument
and the impressive eloquence Of the reply from an
advocate till then unknown to me. That advocate
was John Duer, whose fine person, cOurtly manner.
clear voice. and distinct enunciaton took the House
by SURPRISE charming its attention from the begin
ming to the end of his great speech. Mr. Duer took
his position near the north fireplace, leaning bis
shoulders during most Of the time against map
suspended on the wall His gesticulatIon was quiet
but effective Able as was the effort of Mr. Emmett.
then thought and think yet that the speech of Mr.
Duer was still more able and certainly more telling.
Netc- York, March s. 1874. I.