New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-02-11
OBITUARY.
THE HON. REyERDY JOHNSON.


dispatch from Baltimore says that the Hon.
Reyerdy Johnson. the distinguished Statesman and
jurist was found dead last evening at SIS in the
grounds surrounding the Executive Mansion at An
napois. Mr.. johnson was the guest Of Gov Carroll,
and dined yesterday afternoon with other gentle-
men at the Executive Mansion. He was found dead
in the yard by servant.
Mr. johnson was born at Annapolis Nd, May q.
1896. He was educated at st. Johns College, in
that city. and at the age Of II began to study law
in the Office of his father. WHO ChiefJustice OF
the judicial district of which that county was
a part. Admitted to the bar when he was
inst ~. lie soon acquired lucrative practice,
and in the succeeding II years he reported
the decisions of tho Court Of Appeals Ct
Maryland and prepared the greater part of the well
known series of seven volumes known as llarrs's
and ,Johnson's Reports" In 1919 he was appointed
States Attorney and in $40 Chief Commissioner of
InsOlvent Debtors. This Office he held for over
year, when he resigned TO take a seat in the State
Senate. Reelected Senator he retained the position
only year. when he withdrew from the Legislature
give greater attention To his professional duties
During the succeeding 90 years Mr.. johnson re-
manned aloof from politics and devoted his
time exclusively to the law. In 1915 he
had become the leader of the Maryland
Bar taking at the same time high position as
practitioner before the Supreme Court of tho United
States. In 1914 he was elected United States Sem
atoI by the Wing majority of the Legislature and
held that position until 1919. when ho was brought
into the Cabinet by President Taylor. On the death
of Mr.. Taylor. i'll 1870, and the accession
Of MIR. Fillmore, Mr.. Johnson resigned and
again resumed his legal practice which was now
limited mainly TO cases pending before the Supreme
Court at Washington In 1S6l he laborci ardnousy
To avert civil war, and was member Of the Peace
Convention which assembled for that purpose. In
1863 hs succeeded Nr Kennedy in the United states
Senate, and took his place among the de-
Tenders of tho Union Throughout the war the
veteran lawyer supported the national cause, ana
heartily sustained the leading measures oi the Adj
milistratlan. When peace restored he urged
the 70 admission of the Southern states without de-
lay ormg AT the same time such measures ~ were
calculated 10 avert further discord lie voted for the
first Reconstruction bill, and supported that meas
ure When IL was vetoed by President Johnson lie
disgppiOyed. however of the second bill aud voted
against IT, His term in the senate ended IN 1865.
and he resumed legal practice To moderate extent
lie was engaged about this time 10y the COS eminent
as Ma umpire in The adjustment of questions which
had arisen III New-Or.eans during the civil war.
In June. lists. Mr.. johnson was appointed by
President johnson Minister to England Ia succeed
Mr. Nd ans and was unanimously confirmed 10y the
senate. As Minister he negotiated treaty for the
settlement oi the Alabama claims which was re-
irctcd by The Senate. lie enjoyed great p"ph-
lanty among the working classes IN England, ana
spoke frequently at public as-emblaecs. la lsG9 bo
retired in fpyor of Nh Motley and Resumed his resi-
dcnce at Baltimore.
since his return M johnson had remained ~ at
out,c spectator of pdbhc Affairs, using his influence
in tie Interest,", of reconciliation. lie supported
cordially Mr. Greeley for President in 1872, and
remained uIshabcn in his devotion amid
the rcYcr-es az the Liberal campaign
when tho contest ended ho one Of
the first 10 assure Horace Greeley OF hi
unaltrrrd regard In late year. Nj. john on had
suffered from partial blindness hut his intellect con-
tnncd uumpalrcd. Last year lie went To England
and remained there until January, when e returned
10 Baltimore.
Ii will not De- un unpleasant Ung for readers Of
The Tam NJ to recall that last Nni'r. when the
Editor 81 this journal was arrested at the su Of *
Gov Shepherd of Washington on thc charge of hav-
ing lbcled MIN in articles concerning tine
Government of tho District of Columbia
Mr. Johnson Immediately lrt hi home III
Baltimore. FASTENED to Washington, arriving
late al night aud sent his son TO $50 whether he
could be- of service in the morning -rciusng. III
fact to retire until he could learn that there Was no
imminent danger OF any effort at Eish-handed pro
ceedings. The next day ho made "A more formal
tender of his services counsel III the cases
on the dodblc ground of personal friend
ship and sympathy with the defendant
in the causes of prosecution lie did not 80 10 In
rope Las, December without previously taking pains
10 ascertain that there vas no probability that these
cases could he brought on during MS absence {; ana
one OF his very first act. on landing again on Anen-
al. Lift. fsf f. IL fftT D1 "A
TRIEuNr advising him OF his return and rNpf" sing
hi, earnest desire 10 be- informed of tho state of the
litigation and given an opportunity to appear IN 1T
II tnc rnsn nhnnld over como 10 trlnl.