The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-13
james VI. S1nde.

The death of Hon. James NJ. Slade,
which occurred at his residence in Middle
bury, Saturday evening, March 10, 1875,
was not entirely unexpected, but yet the
end came with a suddenness for which we
were unprepared. His illness-a disease
of the kidneys-had been serious from the
outset, and its fatal termination had been
foretold, but as he was reported decidedly
better as late as Thursday, hopes began to
be entertained of bis recovery, and while
this hope was yet strong, we, at once, learn
of an unfavorable turn Of the disease and
of his death. James M. Sade, son of
William Slade-b. 1855, NJ. G. 1907, men,
Der of congress 1S31-1s43, governor of
Vermont 1874 40, d. 1S59-and of Abigail
Foot Slade, was born at Middlebury,
September Slh, 1912, and received such an
education as could be obtained in the COM
mon and grammar schools of Vermont, and
of the kind TO fit him for the business he
had selected to pursue. He prepared him
self for the life of merchant, but when
he first entered business we are unable to
state although we find him established in
the general mercantile business in August,
l843. He was, also, engaged, more or
less, in the manufacture of potash, as well
as of pals, ETC.. but had retired from trade
and manufactures some years prior to his
death.
Mr. Slnla we al xvax.c " opfiyn ,,plifio.
ian and, being identified with the liberty
party, he first entered public life in 1858,
being elected, that year, clerk of the Yer
mont house of representatives by the now
historic coalition between the democrats
and free sellers. In 1856, by the nomina-
ton and vote OF the American or "Know-
nothing party, he became a member of the
council of censors and was chosen its Sec
rotary, and was member of several i'm
portant standing and special committees.
AS the amendments to the constitution,
recommended by this council, were re-
jected by the convention called to consider
them, it is sufficient TO say, without ex-
pressing an opinion of the right or policy
thereof, that they presented an amend
ment to make the basis of representation
in the lower branch of our legislature de-
pendent upon population, and called a
constitutional convention on that basis
thus affording the only real opportunity we
will probably ever have of Kidding our
state of its present "rotten borough" sys-
tenn of representation.
In 1856, he was elected lieutenant-gov-
ernor, being the candidate of the republic
can party, and was reelected in 1851 AS
such he became president of the senate,
and it is enough to say that he took high
rank as a presiding officer. In 1870, he
was delegate from Middlebury to the con-
stitutional convention which established
biennial terms of office and biennial ses-
slons of the legislature and the same year
was representative in the general assem-
bly,. Previous to this time. and between
1861 and 1864, he had been clerk in one
of the departments in Washington and,
also, in the provost marshals office i'll Rut-
land. In 1867 and 1868, he was one of the
| judges of the Addison court, and in 1870
was elected one of the trustees of the Yer
| ilOut IclorIl sCuOUl, WHICH ld5t named pO-
sition he held until 1874.
In this trusteeship, as in all other public
positions, he diu most excellent service to the
state, and it is believed that but for his ster-
ling honesty he would have been reelected
in 1874. lie refused TO purchase, or to assent
to the purchase by others, of certain prop
crty for the use of the school, in which in
divlduals, holding judiciary relations to the
state and institution, were interested, and
thereby incurred the hostility of a certain
''ring, and his defeat was encompassed,
the state deprived of his services, and the
inmates of the institution of the counsel,
active sympathy and wise oversight of one
of their warmest friends. He preserved
his integrity and honesty, but lost his trus-
teeshlp-the loss was not his, but that of
the state and reform school. In addition
to these public offices, which identified him
with the history of the state. he was fire.
quently honored by his townsmen with the
MINOR offices within their gift; and he al.
ways served them we'll Aliddlebury will
sadly miss him. 1t is not for us to attempt
to linn his character to indicate his strong
or weak points, to portray him as man, q
christian, legislator, Judge, politician
that we leave to other and better peus-we
have only endeavored to narrate the bare
facts, in the public life of one whom We
knew well and highly esteemed. That du
ty is discharged, and il only remains to bic
our friend and brother hail and farewell.