New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-20

Norwich Conn., Sept. 19.-The Hon. Lafayette
S. Foster died at o'clock this morning. at his resi-
dence in this city.
This brief telegram announces the death OF
one Of tue distinguished men of the State OF Con-
neciicu Descended from CT the old colonial stock
OF American families he was not only man OF marked
sense and ability. but he thoroughly American in
all sympathss, and he never deserted the conFc-
ons or furnished the good name he Inherited from his
rrapdfhers nor betrayed the OF the state and
country IN whose service he spent forty years OF his
life.
Lafayette Sabine Foster was born on the 22d OF NO
yember 1906 the town OF Franklin, Connecticut lie
was the son of Captain Daniel Foster, who fought nj
the Battle OF Saratoga and was with Washington at
White Plains lie was direct descendant Of Miles
standish, his great-grandmother bearing the
name Of Hannah standish. He graduated with
the highest donors OF his class at Brown
University 1928 and then went to Norwich, the prn-
cipal city OF that part OF Connecticut In which he was
born. Studying law with the Hon Calvin Goddard, he
WAS admitted 10 the bar in 1881, and entered at once
unon career great promise man OF great natural
strength mnd capacity for work. and earnesness OF
conviction his abilities and requirements soon made
him leader In The politics OF New London County.
Norwich sent him to the Legislature in 1889, and kept
him there until ls49. He Speaker of the House in
ls47 and 1sis. and again in 1854 In 1851 he was
elected Mayor OF Norwich. and the next year was
reelected in hearty fashion that not single vote
was cast against him.
The career OF Mr. Foster National politics began in
1853 when lie was elected United States Senator from
Connecticut The formation Of the Republican party in
1856 found him one its most active and earnest mem
bers He was the Senate for twelve years. and from
heunInq TO end Of his Senatorial career he found
constantly by the side OF SUMNER Seward. and other
men of tina, stamp in advocacy OF the principles upon
which the party founded. HIS fret speech was
upon the admission OF Kansas and attracted much NJ
tention. He held his own in running DEBATE Win
Pueh Mallory, Gay. OF Alabama. and Douglass. He
was among those who denounced the assault on Sumner
Uis neral course In the Senate during the before
The war was conciatory. He hoped by personal inter-
course and consultation with Southern men to exercise
an influence OF He spoke IN 1888 against
the increase OF the Army. He was more fortunate IN
Cancellation than OF his colleagues IN this direction
bnt when all attempts at Cancellation lad failed he was
among the in the taken 10 protect the
honor and safety OF the Government He favored the
EXPULSION of Senator Bright and lie himself moved the
expu sion OF Wgfall He favored the construction OF
,e Pacific Railroad During large part Of the war be
WAS chairman Of the Committee on Foreign Relations
When Andrew Johnson became President by the death
of Mr. Lincoln Mr. Foster became acting Vice President
~ tbe limited states During the Subsequent recess OF
Congress he spent part Of the season travelling ON the
plains and visiting the Indian tribes as member OF
sneeia Committee Of tho Senate. Mr. Fosters life was
full Of incidents Of interest and one OF these occurred
during this trip 10 the west Inc party had goue ue
yond the reach the telegraph aud tie railroad when
they were overtaken by an army courier riding at
furious pace, bearing telegram from Mr.. Seward The
Secretary teegra phed that the President was danger
ousy III, It was desired that MI Foster should come to
washing ION at The General Of the Army had sent
word that all the resources OF the Amy
sboud he employed to enable Mr. Foster 10 reach the
seat Of soon as possible Mr roster was
N Is believed the iine south OF Denver toward wch
city he fastened az once with all possible speed During
that his mind was IN state oi great aBk
CIV for he feared that whole burden of the Executive
Office its then appalling responsibilities was about
10 fal upon shOu ders Upon rraohhg the dearest
telegraph station however he heard from MI seward
much his relief that the President was OUT OF danger
Mr. Foster often spoke OF this Incident on account oi
the gravity OF the impression 10 made upon him.
In 186s the ex-senator elected Professor of Law
in Yal. College Two years later he was elected 10 the
Legislature again and then made Judge OF nhs se
prrme Court and he retained this position mil lsIo
when the statutory limit OF compelled him 10 resign
lie was al time IA the ripcness OF s physical ana
mental strength, and 10 was generally ielt by me oar
that for once the law had Operated TO the disadvantage
| OF the Courts Of the state. o.. co,s.oss
in onpositiOn To the Republican candidate hr STARK
weather His acceptance OF the nomination was not
vonntary He took Ouly after long urging ~ frends
no -, h,m believe that il was a public duty. He
sseritced his feelings aud entered ino tfs csmpaisn'
only to be beaten as every enc knew .nas We m , po
nracice OF law. His last public appearance was on
September wnen be delivered the address ~ tns cs
br,fton OF the ninefyninth anniversary OF the Btic
and massacre Of Groton Heights IL died after only
ofe, fsser WIS greatly esteemed in social life He
,sss devoted Christian. courtiy gentleman and a
"a ~ snetiess integrity In person he above the
nesrd He was disanea 10 AMI hrs face were
Dstnaliy an expression OF strong sine rty aud gravity,
= ar he noud nubend eenlay, ANA IN conversation NJ
o' sc,oatma lie retained hold upon the adnira
,"o and estee m Of all who knew him 10 the emil
GEORGE FRESHMAN
Hurmopf. Sept. 19.-George FRESHMAN,
o,e a, fbc Oldest citizens Of Baltimore died at his