The New York herald., 1878-02-26
OBITUARY..
TOWNSEND HARRIS.

The death OF Townsend Harris, ex-United States
Consul General 10 Japan, was announced yesterday.
Mr. Harris has had remarkable career. Born at
Sandy Hill, Washington county, N. r., In 1903
aud trained especially for commercial Nfo he
has filled somc OF the most important and
trying positions OF n citizen. For nearly thirty
years he was engaged IN business In this city pro
vious TO mis- appointment to Japan. Largely engaged
III foreign and domestic us an importer aud
jobbcr OF earthcnware, his enterprise, activity and
fidelity as merchant were not more remarkable
than his puolic spirit and usefulness os a citizen
While engaged in the conduct extensive business
Mr. Harris found time to give an ana efficient
support to cause OF education. He was elected
trustee OF tho pubc schools Tor the nth ward under
the old system, and subsequently tor several terms
u Commissioner tor the same district, under the
present arrangement tor the management of
the schools. Twice elected President OF the
Board OF Education. IL was while holding that Office
lac first suggested the idea Of csaDIls ng a seniuarv
OF learning Of higher grade Than the common school
the benefits Of VII ch should uc Tree TO All scnls wh,
had passed with credit through the lover Urachcs VI
common school system. Too suggestion OF tue
Free Academy had lev advocates III lrsl, and met
with decided opposition. Mr. Harris, however, ,pur.
sued his object aud succeeded against pvwerIuI oh.
stucles, sUlely by his indomItubs pcrscyc-
yanee ana energy IN carrying bill through the Legs
ature providing ior the means o establishing IA In.
vorc institution. At the last moment OF legislative
action, when II was apparent that the bill would DC.
come u law, an amendment, plausible In It's terms,
but wch calculated 10 defeat the measure Was
introduced, which to submit the proposi.
tion Tor the approval OF tho voters at Then
election. Not deferred or dishcafteled by this new
difficulty Mr. Harris accep pied the ordeal und entered
upon tue contest Tor popular approval with the sumo
zeal he had shown ut Absby. Unaided by committees
or the assistance OF the press to any considcrube
extent he entered into tho contest with u de-
termination TO succeed. Ali published opyo
sion lie met under bis own signature. Ilck-
cts and handbiis were printed at his own expense
HIS pen aud his voice wore always ready 10 defend
aud 10 advocate this which ne regarded The crown
Ing act vi his HE. His success commcp su rsto
with his zeal and Perseverance The measure was
trtumphantly sustained by tue popuur vote. Mr.
Harris then gave the assiduiiy and zeal 10 tho
plans Tor constructing The cdince aud Tor organziug
the intellectual apartment oil tho iustlu-
ton Tor wnicn he had successfully lauored
Al he mad both com plctcd aud la an re-
spccts ready 10 extend the advantages OF tho
branches oil learning 10 the chiIGren OF the people
win tho same dsintercsted unobrusiveness that had
marked bs whole course III regard 10 this great pub
lie act OF munincenco ana benevoen Mr Harms
voluntarily retired from his high Offices as Presden ut
oi the board ol Education and Chairman OF the Com
mttce on the Free Academy.
When Ia l51s the new Empire OF Japan attracted
the attention OF our merchants and opened up the
trade OF the Pacific, Mr.. Harris retired IRON The
o which no was partner, purchased and lreighted,
toley on his own account, a hue bark aud sailed III
the month oi May Tor Caiorna. After several years
oil commercial vlcissitudes occupicdDy him IN ravers
ing the Pacnc Ocosn vistins islaEds and