The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-02-18
DEATH OF FERNANDO WOOD.

Hon. Fernando Wood, member Of
Congress for the Ninth district, of New
York, died at Hot Springs, Arkansas, OF
the 18th inst. He was first elected il
1910, when only twenty-eight years old
He was the Democratic candidate fol
mayor of New York in November, 80
but was defeated by A. G. Kingsland,
Esq, the whig candidate. Not discour-
aged by this result, he continued IN poll
tics, determined, sooner or later to rule
the city. He was the democratic candi-
date again in 1854, and was elected.
During his first administration of the du-
ties of that office he reformed many OF
the great abuses which then existed. lie
was the chief promoter in establishing
the Central park, andhad charge Of and
carried out the original plan for its orna
mentation and arrangement. His last
term of Mayor extended into 1852, and
he was thus the chief executive of the
metropolis NJ the outbreak of the re-
bellion. ... H..
In 1872 Mr.. Wood was again elected
to Congress as Democrat, and again
took his seat in the House in 1868, after
an absence from that body of twenty
years. He distinguished himself in the
House by his opposition to the conduct
OF the war, and made numerous speeches
in favor of the appointment of commits
sioners to prGeure q cessation of hos
tilities. Mr.. Wood remained IN the
House only two years on this occasion,
but in 1856 be again became candidate
as an independent Democrat. u desire
the election" he said 'as a popular re-
buke to those who utter the malicious
falsehood that during the war was Il
rebel sympathizer and disunionist. ;
The people Of the district complied with
his desires, and Fernando Wood return
ed to the house in 1867, and has coptipu-
ed member OF that body eyer since,
democratic opposition TO him gradually
almost dying ont in bis district, although
last fall there were three candidates and
he was elected by small plurality only.
Among the most notable episodes in
his recent congressional career was the
presentation OF a resolution on February
20, 1873, to impeach Vice President Col
fax on account of the Credit Mobiler
business, the resolution being defeated
by only four votes. BY this time he had
become the acknowledged leader Of the
democratic minority IN the House, and
in November following he received the
Democratic nomination for Speaker on
the second ballot in caucus. but was de-
feated in the House by Mr.. Blaine, His
candidacy for Speaker secured for him a
place on the ways and means committee.
on which he gradually rose until he be-
came the senior Democratic member,
although he .was Kept out Of the chair
manship in 1875 by Speaker Kerrs an.i-
ETY. to take good care of Mr.. Morrison. IN
1877, however, he was made chairman
of the committee by Speaker Randall,
and was continued in that position in
1879, Ia 1875 he was candidate for
the Apeakership, but finally withdrew
from the canvass Just before the caucus
was held. Mr.. Wood hal long been in
poor health, and was barely able to take
his seat at the opening of the present
session. The day after passage by the
house of the funding bill, he took to his
bed, and the neXt week left for the Hot
Springs, in Arkansas, where his death
occurred.