National Republican., 1880-04-26
AUDITOR E. B. FRENCH DEAD
Another Faithful Public Servant
Called to His Rest.
sketch of Some of the Prominent Events in
tho Lifo of tho Decentralization
Years of Service mt His Post--A
Tribute from Ills Associates
- Impressive Funeral
Services Yesterday.
Death of Hon. E. II. French.

nnd gave shock to our community, in which he
wGs widely known and not less widely esteemed.
The latg Auditor was born 1t LInduir, New
Hampshire, on the 23l Of September, 1870 After
receiving in his youth the advantages of mn
academic education, lie elected to enter the legal
profession and studied law with Smith g. Poyson,
at Bath, Few Hampshire, and subsequently with
Joseph Bel. mn eminent lawyer OF The state hut In
1898 went 20 Portland, and lnaly settled down, In
1885, IN DamariscOtta, whore he remained till pub.
lie duties called him to the National capital in
1861.
Young as he was he soon became power In the
portion oithc State whore he resided. and In 1883
was sent to the State Legislature as q Democrat.
In 1872 nc was chosen to the state Senate, and
here three years later, took q stand IN favor of
Bcutons proposal to limit the area of slavery by
vigorous dcnnncaton ofthe slave power drawing
upon him q storm Of Vndictyo wrath from tho ex-
trcmis5 OF his party.
In 1915 Mr. French became Secretary of the State
of Maine, position he held for five years, and sub
sequsnty served rs bank Conm.s .ssOner under the
Governors appointment. He became connected
net, one OF the earliest advocates oftne free soil doc
trnc, and with Hon. Lot NJ. Morrill, and other lead
ing Democrats OF the rev school, aided In giving
the party expression to an embodiment ofprinciples
50 ontspokcn us to be adopted In 1850 by the Re-
publican party into which the iroc-soil movement
had merged.
During these ten years parties had changed their
'front.' questions vital 10 National life had replaced
the odtupios of bank, Of tariff and sub-trea,ury;
Democracy was diseased with the lcprnSy OF slay-
cry and II accorded with neither Mr. Frcnch's
sterling patriotism acute sense Of justice nor his
sensitive humNntytO remain aihltatcd with party
Which had become nero engine for extending
slavery. EARLY aud warmly, therefore, he es-
pousel the party aud cause OF freedom, and the
voters OF his vcinaCe showed they too were march.
ing in the line Of liberty and progress by choosing
him 10 represent them In the Thirty-siNlh Congress
In 1858. Here he made his usual mark of useful
ness and honor.
Tho campaign of 1860 arrived, and Mr.. French
entered heartily into the canvass, materially assist.
ing IN the election OF President Lincoln, and 1t was
natural that tho new President in seeking trust
worthy men to FIJI the posts lately vacated by trait
ors should not overlook tho talents and services OF
Mr.. French, 70 whom the tender of tho Office of
Second Auditor was n graceful acknowledgement
of National obligation and personal esteem.
Tho position was no sinecurc; for the littlo bu-
rcau for which seventeen clerks We're sufficient In
drcds, and tie audited disbursements swolcd from
Il few hundred thousand to thousands OF millions
Of dollars. single statement illustrates the
change From 1917 to 1861, there were audited 49,
jjg'HCcounts and claims, while from 1861 to 1870
there passed the scrutiny Of the olico the amazing
number Of 9l7 75l6 nearly twelve times rs many in
nine years as In the preceding forty-lour.
But figures fail to give an adequate ideR of tho
labors the anxictics, The careful Vigilance and un
tlring energy required In such trying times for the
management of great bureau of accounts. The
sedcntary habits incident to such duties told on
Mr. Frcnch's constitution for Judging from his
robust frame and cheerful manner, hO should have
lived twenty years longer. But last summer the
complaint which has proven fatal became serious
and ator his rctur from Maine in the fall ho w0s
rarely nho 10 sustain the, fulgu,S OF ohco. But
his last days calm Uul serene, ~ became the
close of a well-spcnt lie, and he finally passed
into dUGth and another life, peacefully rs a child
passes into sunhcr
| Personally Mr.. French WAS a man tnut placed at
rundom among thousand would have draw n in
staut remark. over six feet in hcight with weight
and frame prop0rtioncd 10 his altitude, his spen
did physique and upright carriage, not less than
his open, expressive c0untcnance and Ann, but
elastic stop stamped him a5 40 ordinary man; and
the mind within was not disproporuoncd to the
!rMn2 without
appointed by President Lincoln In the carly days
OF the war. For eighteen years he has held his
place mainly by reason of thrco characteristics
that furnish the key TO his success IN public life:
His constant Willingness 10 sacrifice MS private
welfare to the public good: his Wlrem.Ltlng atten-
ton TO the duties OF his high trust, md, not least
10 the utter purity OF his character, 1th as private
citizen and public servant, Amid the clouds of
personal and political scandal lint have darkcncd
somewhat the history Of our times, no spot has
been iOual to tprnish his iuiF lnc, and unimOsity
has iailCQ to cast a shadow on his integrity his
honor. As one Of Names c!Cquont son%t0-day GX.
pressed H. "Mr. French was not merely honest he
was incorruptble,"
The resolutions we publish shoe, with what
peculiar affection he was regarded by tho nearest
him in Official life; nor can there be higher
tribute to the qualities that adorned his character
than the evidence that be was able during 80 long
period filled with various YiCsSitudcS 10 inspire
IN the hearts of his subordingtcs not respect alone
but reverence, esteem and affection.
In tie demise OF Mr.. French our own commu-
nifty sustains special loss. Not only were his
social qualities such rs to oudCar him 10 u large
circle Of friends, but his wcllGCNelopcd aud cu.
llNOteu lNstO lOr music, painting ana clOtutiOn
made him n conStatn supporter OF all enterprises
for mr.hcrimg thl growth of these arts in Washing
ton. Besides this, his large hearted nature led him
to become prominent in charitable and religious
will he sadly missed But the greatest void viii be
found in the many hearts to which his sunny
manners and friendly speech and action brought
light and warmth and p,cGsurc. lie worthily lived
and ho viii be sincerely mourncd ns good man,
d good citizen and n good Christian.
10 her who tor many years has been the loved
companion Of such noble manhood, words that
OTTER -olNce would be presumption; but she will
know without telling what sympathy goes out to
her rom the many who have learned to prize the
gentle aud loTmg nature That has so long been the
light and life OF so much excellence and virtue.
The funeral took place yesterday afternoon from
the Congregational church, corner Tenth and q
streets northwest, in the presence ot an immGnSG
thrlng principally ,cmployes Of The Treasury De-
partmcut. ono hundred and huy clerks OF tho sec,
oud Auditors Office came in body ana performed
escort duty to tho Baltimore e Potomac deput
whence the remains were lorwGrlCd to DanRris.
Gotta. Me- the former home ofdeGoased, for buriul
The funeral services were conducted by Rey. j. Z.
Rankin, and the choir under Professor BlsChoH
Minnie Evan, entitled Beyond tho smiling and
the Weeping" was noticeable ieuiurc Of the Oc-
cas!on, At the conclusion Of DR.. kunkins sermon
the vast throng passed IN front OF tho con for the
purpose OF taking last view of the late Auditor.
The body was then borne 70 lhe hrNrsg by the fol-
lowing budy.bcurGrg Professor BSghoa meanwhile
Wight, Thomas Il. RNthbone II, \. Whallon, T. g,
Bailey, L. H. Morgan pnd Joseph Barton. The
tho Treasury French and Upton, second Comp,
trul!cr Upton, o. II, Irish, Chiut Of the Bureau Of
Engraving and Printing; sixth Auditor McGrOw
First Comptroller Porter Hon, Noratio King and
Flst Auditor Reynolds.
The Gultege proceeded 10 the depot, where the
remains were placed on tho $40 p, IN, train and
expressed 10 their destination.
The following was adopted at Il meeting Of the
clerks OF the Second Auditors office Saturday:
'Tho clerks OF the Second Auditors oliCo have
learned with profound regret the death of their be-
loved and hOnored chief, Ezra Is. French; and
while leaving II 10 his Official peers 10 pronounce
IN htlng terms the eu,Ogy SO Justly deserved by his
long able and upright career MS q public officer,
thoy feel that it becomes them 70 express the sem
tlmcnts of heartfelt sorrow that MI them on this
sud occasion, and 10 testify their appreciation of
departed worth.
"OuT late chietWas man whose qualities ofhead
and heart drCw az once the respect and affection of
all who came In contact with him, aud this un-
toward event dCpy!yes MS Of q friend long known
Qnl loved, and whose virtues challenged Rnnira-
ton and regard. Manly hank, ousp0kgn sincere
aud generous IN character, his friendship was
steady and courageous and his uniform kindness
aud courtesy CulcaTod him 10 our hearts while his
Spodess Integrity inspired our Highest Yonoralou
His hand and heart were ever open 10 appeals for
AID and sympathy. Hepos71sscda mind otsuperiOr
lurco and sayaCity ana his administrative iQcul-
ties were em,nenlly practical and effective,
f" IL is not alone therefore 0S political and
official associate that we mourn his loss but rather
as q loved and esteemed friend, whose dignity OF
bearing justice Of action, goodness Of heart aud