The New York herald., 1875-12-03
OBITUARY.
HON. IRA HARRIS.

s1legram rom Albany n r.. under date Of yester-
'day December q conveyed the following intelligence
20 New York :-'Hon. Ira Harris died about eleven
O'Clock this morning He leaves interesting family
10 mourn his loss. =
sKErcH on MS LrFE
Ira Harris was born IN the town OF Charleston Mont
gomery county in this State, in 1902. His father
moved to Cortandt county when he was sis years Of
age, and there owned farm, upon which the young
lived aud worked until he seventeen years Of
age. He then entered the Cortlandt Academy in
Homer and began 70 prepare for college. After having
prepared himself he entered Union College, and was
graduated at the head Of class OF seventy nine in ls2A
The ensuing year spent in lawyers Office in cort-
landt county and At lis close he TO Albany bear
inga letter OF introduction to the Chief Justice
Spence, who had just retired from the Bench,
whose Office he entered, and there completed
his studies. Admitted to the Bar IN
1928 be formed partnership with young man with
whom he had been In college and opened law office
From that time to lS44 he devoted himself diligently
and closely the practice of his profession and rose
to the highest position in the estimation and conf
dence OF the public In the fall OF 1874 IN his absence
from the State on pleasure tour ne was n9nihatea
the city district OF Albany county In ls4o ne was
again elected In the winter OF 1876 law was passed
authorizing call for constitutional convention, ana
in the spring Of that Year he elected 10 the conven
ton as member from Albany county He took an ae
forming the present constitution, ana ulh-
tinga ished himself by his comprehensive knowledge
Of all matters the convention and his readiness
in debate In the fall of 1916 he was elected to the
Senate from the Albany district, under the old const
tuition and carried John Young into the Gubernatoria
chair The term of office four years but the adop
ton OF the constitution cut it OF to year. In
the spring lS47 he elevated the Bench of the
new Supreme Court and resigned his Senatorial seat
II viii thus be seen that in the short space Of two
years he before the people i've times and success
ful each time Such career would be an honor TO any
man.
He was elected to the Bench for eight years but in
Tying the judges he drew the short term Of tour
years. At the expiration OF the he was again
elected by tremendous majority and held his seat
for eight years. being one Of the most popular men on
the Bench and general favore with the Bar and the
people. He defeated by Judge Peckham in 1859
when third time presented for the Office
In 1861 Judge Harris obtained a national reputation
through tight between Horace Greeley and Thurlow
Weed Mr. Greeley was supposed TO have defeated
Weeds favorite Mr.. Seward, for nomination in the
Chicago Convention. Mr., Weed determined to be re
venged, and when in 1861, Mr. Greeley was a promi-
candidate for the United States Senate Mr.. Weed
stepped forward and made himself felt The result was
Greeley's defeat and Harris election compromise
candidate. MI. Weeds own candidate was William M.
Evarts
While Weeds candidate, Mr. Evarts, rallied to his
support every Weed and Seward of any note, and
many Of doubtful note from every part OF the State
Greeley bad crowd of friends from every point and
received their earnest support but Judge Harris relied
mainly on his own personal strength and the efforts OF
small band OF influential men, who chung to him to the
last and finally saw him gain the victory. The scene
in the Assembly Chamber while the balloting in
progress, was interesting ana at times most eNctng
The galleries and lobbes were thronged and the ante
crowded with the adherents OF the re-
specve parties, giving counsel TO the doubtful, con.
hrming the wavering and exercising general super
vision over the contendng forces Two tellers were
appointed, and the Of the Senators and
bers called they walked up to the front OF the
Speakers desk and deposited the ballots in
hat. AT the close, while the tellers were
counting the ballots watched by tnrong of reporters
and members the friends OF the candidates gathered in
knots about the asles and prepared the plan for the
next engagement The announcement of the result
heard in the deepest silence and when concluded a
loud buzz was heard and the busy leutenans flew to
the commander chefs to bear their reports and get
their orders Ballot alter ballot was taken and Greeley
gained by while Evarts receded.
Harris held his own. At the eighth ballot
Greeley received AZ and Evarts tell to 50. This
the turning point in the battle. Littlejohn
rushed to the Governors chamber, where Weed and
Evarts were and reported the state OF the contest;
that the Evarts line was waverng and liable at the
next onset to break and go over TO the enemy; and
that Greeieys forces would carry the field by grand
coup de main.
The willy leader TO cover a defeat gave the order to
has officers TO Unite with Harris, and the result was
waited with the most intense anxiety Slowly the roll
was called and the result announced Greeley 40
Harris 49, 40 on the eighth ballop and Evars II The
tenth and last ballot had amid intense excitement
and confusion, and Evarts soldiers marched IN a solid
phaanx over TO the banners of Harris leaving only two
troopers to hold aoft the Evarts flag show that he
was still in the ned The result announced of 90 for
Harris 40 for Greeley and three scaterng) was
received with deafening applause by the galleries and
LOBBY Mr. Lapham, Greeley's friend, moved to make
it unanimous which was done with a YELL and Ira
Harris was the next United States Senator from New
York.
In the Senate Judge Harris made great impression
He was known good, conservative man. who was a
partisan republican, and at the same time meant well
but he never made great impression legislation
AS lecturer in the law school at Albany however
he loved by large number Of Students who
admired his lucid style Of lecturng.
Mr. Harris was Of commanding personal appearance
being about feet two inches high with broad shou
ders and finely developed head His forehead
broad and high, eyes OF light brown color large and
finely moulded nose and mouth and smoothly snaven
lace. He his hair quite long and generally fall
ing his forehead He graceful in all his move
ments. As iurist he noted for the cearness and
ability of his decisions He was logical reasoner and
a ready debater He was among the best speakers in
the Legislature while a member and rarely failed TO
fill the chamber when II was given out that he would
speak.