New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-29
OBITUARY..
SAMUEL BULKLEY RUGGLEs. LID.
G. w. s.


A dispatch from Fire Island yesterday an
nounced the death OF the Samuel Buckley Rugglcs
from paralysis. at the Surf Hotel where had been
staying since July, with his son. Mr. Rugges lived
at the Westminster Hotel for the last three
with the exception of the season. and his
health has failed rapidly during the past years
paralysis which caused his death recent attack
He was born In Connecticut in 1900 and graduated
at Yale College in 1914 He afterward studied law
and was admitted to the bar in this city in 1921
From Thurlow Weed, whose intimate acquaintance with
Mr. Rugges dates back TO 1885, also that of Peter
Cooper, the following facts obtained: Mr. RugSles
was highly intelligent, agreeable nue initial man
Among his friends were Chancellor Kent ana Judge
Kent. Early in life Mr.. Ruggles was exceed
ingV enterprising, and made largo pur-
chases OF real estate in the vicinity
OF Union Square, which then a large farm
in the upper part OF the city. He would have
been one OF the wealthiest men In the oity
but for the revulson In business in 1897 which pro
duoed general ruin and great losses In real estate
Before these losses upon him he originated the
enterprise Of laying out Union Square az a park and
considerable portion OF the land that
to the city In 1887 ne elected the Assembly on
the Wing ticket and his mind running strongly to pubc
improvements he took great interest In the canals
embarked in an enterprise to enlarge them He waa
made chairman Of the Canal Committee and
made an elaborate report on the proposed on
larging OF the canals. His warm nd
vocacy OF public improvements, requiring the ex.
pendture OF large sums OF money accepted az Do
htca issue by the Democratic party which termed Il
an extravaganza an ruinous policy" The campairn n,
1888, when Mr.. Seward on the Whs tickot for c.
against Governor Marcy who had filled the Dce
two terms turned this question and oh
attack made upon Mr. Seward for ilentiryinp him
self with Mr. Rugges, the issue resulted his successful
election.
On February Is. 1889, Governor Seward an
pointed Mr. Ruggies Canal Commissioner, and he be-
activeand honest official in developing state nproye
ments ON the canals and railways He declined reap
accepted an appointment as Canal COMMISSIONER Ha
sell any business beyond his connection with Ss h rsa
estate he became q member of the Chamber Of
It's most prominent active and inuestai men oS OF
He rarely missed meeting; and because OF his great
and information. He was member of the Executive
far S Sp many Sea s Although he had
vigorous up to the time Of his death lie had prem"ni
for nearly two years. Mr. Rugges wrote a series ns
pamphlets on political economy and education. as
ago very complete statistical report from personal
sndg on the ssrH no and metal the
missions and was member Of the Century Club and or
first contributor to the &ashington Mdao,e WAS the
In 1865 and 1866 Mr.. Ruggles one of the leaders
the United in PARIS Exposition Of 1897 Hs
Exposition from the United States He had previously
attended the Statistical Congress Berlin and when he
with the subject uniform system of Weishs
ures and coin and authorized cooperate With the
Imperial I'm Commission presided over by NJ, Matthew
MT Ruggles, who had taken q prominent mar
In the movements which led to the None
tary Convention Of 1865 took an active mart
In the International err Conference of 1867, which
grew out OF the Conferences held and 1896 and
ne reported its proceedings from time 10 time 70 he
State Department. At close of the M
made very elaborate and interesting report npon the
whole subject This report in addition 10 fun iscnssinn
y, mio19eGtry uhbcaton contained valuable statjstics
% upon inc amount OF gold silver in
circuatlon upon the coinage OF the PRINCIPAL nj
upon the weights and. fneLcss OF gold and silver cons
and the relaye value OF gold and silver At the Con-
terence MT Ruggies presented a written argumcnt in
IaVor OF his plan Tor Issuing twenty-five franc cold
piece by France to circulate with the American baif
eagle and the British sovereign lie also n ade an a
orate report upon Tho Quantities of Cereals Prodnced
In Different Countries Compared" ""0eu
Mr.. Rugglcs leaves daughter and one SON. Jaues II
Ruggles, a lawyer, of No. 102 Broadway ' -