New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-13
OBITUARY.
.nE HON. HORACE BINNEY.

The Hon. Horace Binney, the oldest member
OF the Philadelphia bar died yesterday In that city at
the ago Of 81. Mr. Binney tho Of DR.. Binney,
who served as surgeon in the Revolutionary army He
was born In Philadelphia the 4th OF January 1880,
and received hif education at Harvard University which
he entered when quito young, graduating in 1897.
at tho early age Of II. His college
full Of PROMISE and at its close he divided the first hOnOrs
with the late Judge White OF Salem Mass. Living to
such an advanced he did, he long survived every
one OF HIS classmates aud the DEATH in July 1872,
OF the venerable Samuel Thatcher OF the Class OF 793 at
the age Of 49, he became the oldest living graduate of
Harvard On leaving college, he entered upon the study
OF the law in the office Of Jared IngersOl, and.
after three years study. admitted the bar
in the 1900 before he had attained his majority Mr.
Bnney devoted himself with remarkable sssiduity to the
hard work OF his calling and having once, through the
kindness and Judgment OF ChiefJustce Tilghman,
cured oohold In the courts few years he attained
high rank in his profession and stood henceforward AZ
the head OF the bar OF Philadelphia with such
John Sergeant Charles Chauncey, and others Of equal
emnence and learning. He took leading part nearly
all the most important which argued
in those days before the higher courts OF
the State, and frequently appeared before
the bar Of the Supreme Court OF the United
states IS counsel in cases Involving great interests
Several times he rendered position the bench,
but invariably declined such honors, preerrn tho active
and more congenal duties Of his profession In lsi3 he
sgt. The Mayor OF Philadelphia, before the Supreme
Court OF the United States. Mr. Binneys argument in
this tho crowning effort Of his life, and has
attained q vide celebrity. Tho issue involved
the validity OF the will OF stephen Girard
making such large boquests to the City OF Phia-
delpha for the establishment Of the college for orphans
which bears mis- name Mt Binneys argument in favor
OF the validity OF the will was an exhaustive and UNI
thOrty on questions involving the law OF charitable
by the bench. well by the bar throughout the
has Dssn "a
Of the highest communication by eminent En-
tho sttve. duties OF his profession Mr. B.nney
was already well advanced in years. being 63
greet His thorough and varied culture joined
to large experience and unerring jumrnt and an en-,
for him position Of authority and Mienco at the bar
which was second to none in the country Mr. Bnneys
last appearance before his professional rthern
in November 1852 the occasion ot the death OF the
Hon john sergeant upon whose brilliant csreer 20
lawyer and unsird character as man nc delivered an
eloquent and pathetic eulogy.
portion OF his time and energy during the active years OF
hs life, he took prominent part in politics entering
into the party strife OF tine state early ~ 1905, when
he was elected member OF the Legislature. one term
sufced, aud he declined reeac0n. with the alvent
upon the broader field Of national politics and
elected member OF Congress- from Philadelphia in
ton Ills ability aud eloquence secured him place
the Committee ON Ways and Means anu a leading posi-
doubedly open before him. but served from s' to
only and declined reelection. About this period he
also figured cOnspsuously in connection with the old
Unts Estates Bank director OF winch be served lor
many years. aud when the affairs OF this yexatiOus ns
ton finally wound up. he was one OF the trustees 10
whom the task intrusted He became Interested,
Also In antsayery agitation ut an early date anu
took prominent and heroic part in The nrst stages OF me
conflict. when 1t required 40 small amount OF COURAGE
and high OF justice to induce man OF his stand
ing to espouse the cause OF Humanity
Sir. Binneys life was not 80 mOnOpollzcu Dy proIes
siunAl and other public duties 10 debir nm from lie
voting portion OF his limo 10 literary pursuits His
most important published work was mis- . Reports Of
Cases the Supreme Court Of Pennsylvania III SIX
volumes. They covered the period from 1919 to lslt,
their publication being commenced In 1909 ana com,
models OF their kind. HIS celebrated argument IN the
Vidal referred to above. published ia an octave
volume In 1914. Among other OF Ills more important
writings given to tho public in permanent form were
his euogums ChiefJustice Tilghman u527l, and on
Chief Justice Marshall 1886 An Inquiry into the
Formation OF WlsninelOns Farewell Address" $3.50.
aud The Leaders OF the Old Bar OF Philadelphia
1850 This last work was ore OF 40 great prctes2ns,
covering. IL did nut l2O octave pages AMI lnclnh
sketches OF the professional career ana cnaraer OF
only three persons, LAWS ihshman, and lnxerHoil,
whose pupil the author had beon out " was Written III
charming STYLE, and peryacd by such clear and ap-
prcative spirit that IL must he RANKED ~ one OF the
most entertaining books OF the class Ia which belongs
In addition the foregoing details Of Mr. Binneys
career The Philadelphia telegraph says The death of
snch man as Horace Bnney naturally AMI properly
the brancy, culture. ani integrity Oh Tue oi pii W
Philadelphia at the head Of which he Stood and 10
lament the quite pcrceptible dcScner;.cy whch
the elective system has unluestionabiy aided IN
bringing about. The years allotted to Horace
Bnney Were extended so the 'o Culinary lot Of
man. that his death Is not matter OF surprise although
1t not the less 10 be anented potn Dy Ihe profession
the community at large His personal character was
high, his learning 30 thorough MS experience 50
varied, his services eminent, and his identification
with best interests of our city 80 close tit Ms ueath
even Al SUCH an adv ancad age will be robbed OF none or
lis for regret 1t will not hc forgotten that Horace
Kinney IT,. whose career lawyer and man almost
yac that Of his father died in February 1870 at the
age OF 81.