New-York tribune., 1874-12-10
OBITUARY.

EZRA CORNELL.

ons,op Of the teloraphic system In the country was
mainly due. died yesterday at Ithaca, New.York
Hewas horn at westchcser L.ndiog in the County Of
westchester on Jan. IL. 1901 His father engaged
in the making of pottery: and the son worked at this
cecupstfou AT Tarrvtown, and afterward at
Madison County, his laSorious youth limiting his
educational opportunities. lie had than q
common school education, but In addition to native
shrowdness aud sound Judgment he manifested at an
early age desire for knowledge and mind liberal in
the reception OF ideas In 1896 he left his fathers
house and obtained employ ment at Homer. whence,
two years after removed 10 Ithaca he obtained
piaoe. at rather scapty wages In the machine-shop
belonging to the eoton-mi OF Otis Eddy which stood
the site that is occupied by one OF the stately
buildings of Cornell University.
Mil work aud agriculture took up bis time by turns
for fifteen years. when In 1913 he became connected
with the construction Of the rs elegraphc line estab
lished in this country He became acquainted with f.
o. ]. Smith, Representative from Maine. and
Chairman OF the Committee Of Commerce OF
tho House. who Of one-fourth
interest IN the invention OF Prof. Morse
and also with Prof Morse himself The plan Of laying
the teegraphic wires In pipes under ground was deter
mined upon for the experimental line between Balt-
moro and Washing ngton-as this method had been nsed
successfully in England, and Mr. Cornell, who had
an inventive turn OF miud. had devised ma
chino for LAYING the pipes. He
gagged TO superinieDd the work at the modest
sasry Of 5000 per year. The wires we're covered
with cotton and imperfectly insulated with btumen.
Prof Morse, In the fret place, favored the plan of
putting the wires upol poles but was unwilling to risk
the Of his scheme by venturing untried
experiment, and accordingly adopted the English
method The work OF laying the tubes was begun at
the Baltimore and Washington depot on the hill, and
was continued until it satisfactorily proved that
the plan OF using tubes in the earth would
pot succeed Two-thirds of the appropriation
made by Congress had been spent and 1t evident
that much would be necessary TO complete the
work. with prospect Of when 1t was finished
When pipe had laid far the Relay House,
Prof Morse went to Mr.. Cornell and expressed
desire to have the work arrested
until further experiments had been made,
but he very anxious that nothing should be said or
done give the public the impression that the enter
prise had failed Mr.. Cornell said he could easily
manage IL, and stepping up to the machine.
which was drawn by team OF eight
mules, be gave tho word for starting the
team and grasped the handles OF the plough Watching
opportunity he canted 1t so as to catch the point OF
rock and broke it ~ pieces while Prof Morse stood
looking on. Consultations long aud painful followed
but after good deal Of delay the line was finished the
wires being raised upon poles. The difficulties that
overcame by the men who laid the founda-
tioDs Of the American telegrapeic system may
be estimated by incident in Mr. Corneps experience
which he often related afterward AT time he was
exhibiting the operation OF the telegraphc instruments
in this oty In order to raise for the prosecution
Of tho work The exhibition did not much inter
and the receipts small and Mr. Cornell fell into
such straits occasion the finding Of shilling
in the street alone saved him from going without
pesl. after the wires were up between Baltimore and
Washington the difficulties OF those engaged In the
enterprise were by over and the Government
took hold OF the line, and carried 1t on for time, and
Prof Morse and Others connected with the start
ing line received salaries for their services But
the Hon. Cave johnson, Pos:master-G enera declared
-aftef trial that the Telegraph could not be pado re-
wunerstive at any of tolls aud recommended that
1t be dropped by the Government Tne recommenda-
ton carried out, but 1S45 money enough was
raised TO carry on tae line asa private enterprise
Mr.. Cernelps business career was remarkable for
sterling integrity for sound Judgment for great exact
1ess IN management and in all his transactions and for
Gsose attention to detail His business talents were
nominal, but his great success was due TO his
resouIti in retaining stocks unit thoy became |
very valuable. rather than TO brilliant combinations
or to during originality or enterprise He was frugal
10 his business and his living throughout his career
often studying economy very sharply III details. In
manners he cOmpanonable, and was well esteemed
OF those with whom he became associated. In public
affairs took considerable part during some years OF
his life and for six years was member OF the Legisia
ture a part OF tn time IN the Assembly but in the
main In the Senate. ~
He has been President OF the State Agricultural soei
ety and at the of his death President anu D
rector OF several railroads. banking ana
companies. and Chairman OF the Boari OF trustees oi
Cornell University aud OF the Pubic Library oil ltnaca
The latter Institution he founded several years ago
having erected bulldog az expense lot anu
The crown of his nfe's work to which he devoted
almost ali other energies Of his later Cornell
Iniyersity His lavish generosity in its founding aud
maintenance his dgent efforts to secure Tue 70
bis patient devotion to its Interests for many
years, and the broad Hoerality OF plan @nen
he worked for H. and wnlcn he always sougnI 10
have expanded and elevated so far as might be- VIII oe
remembered so long as ths great and noOie memora'
In 1855 Mr. Cornell the generous offer which led
the founding of the University which oears us maine,
public lands to the several States and Territories wnlcn
might M T Under this act the State
NewYork received lana scrip represenmng, s0s'o@
isasa sSTss Of III iiRs the west Stn This sraSs
appropriated cOndtionay by the Legisature 10 an
were not fulfilled Under these circumstances. Mr. Coz
nell generously came fOrw ard and offered 10 give
Serred a, IL the lands conceded by Congress- TDe
State Legislature n April 1862 passed an act @
vision should made the education free Of charge
for tuition of one student mnv from eomped WITH the
conditions of the charter by placing gm0DS Whom
.,e s"S asP Horace Greeley and j. Meredeth Read Sub
seauepty he gave upwards OF 200 acres oI Ianu, VIZ
the College of Agriculture. He also made other gifts
to ab0S: s0o9 oac, Resdes n ssooSy
which had cost hm $4,000 The University bulldiSgs
formally 0 opened when nearly 500
students applied Tor admission sevsrai o.av, a.
now one OF the most prosperous seats i,oroi oi
ia.rning in the country. Besides MS noeral
oIaa Mr Cornell devoted his time TO the al
fsrs Of the University and advanced It's interests oy
his extensive knowledge OF business matters ,, nv
The purpose hus expressed has been carried OUT py
those whom Cornell secured as his assocStes 10
gnyernng the University. The institution accoplsnes
the union OF liberal and practical educatioD
contemplated by Its founder as well ell ,ad ad
70 the states Ii has also realized Mr.. CornePs ann py
Offering instruction any person in any study anu su
Sed 70 ali these advantages the fullest freedom OF re-
Igons belief among its faculty as well as among It's