Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-12-28
HIGHLY HONORABLE PUBLIC CAREER.

lhe following very interesting skeech OF
the life of the late John McKeon, published
in Leslie's Weekly, is so full of fresh sug-
gestion Of unseltish devotion to principle
and the public veal, as above craftsmanship
and trimming to party and public favor,
that it is reproduced, both as containing
data of historical interest, and to stand be-
side the more modern methods of men as a
bright cleaning in the darkness. The
writer in Leslie's says:
The late John McKeon, of New York
city, whose sudden death on the 22d instant
startled the entire community, was one OF
the marked men of his time. New
Yorker by birth, and left at the age of 10
to make his own way in life, he graduated
with distinction at Columbia College, and
having studied law, entered at once upon
a career of peculiar brilliancy and success.
He was elected three times to the State
Assembly, the last time in 1884, when he
was chosen unanimously, both parties hay
ing his name on their tickets. He was
Immediately afterwards elected member
of Congress, and served through five SEES
sions at Washington. He there exhibited
his devotion to principle by refusing to
vote with the Democratic party in reject
ing petitions presented on the subject of
the abolition of slavery. he taking the
ground that the right of the people to pc.
tition was sacred and ought not to be mo-
Tested. Again, when a resolution was
offered to expel member from Ohio MIR.
Giddings) for expressing his opinions adj
versely to slavery, he refused to vote with
his party, who sustained the reso-
luton. Mr.. McKeon claimed that
the right of debate should not be curtailed
in any manner. Giddings was expelled,
however, but was reelected within few
weeks, and on the floor of the House COM
plimented McKeon on his vote. Whilst
in Congress he was especially active in OBJ
tanning appropriations for the benefit OF our
commerce. To him the port of New York
is indebted for the lighthouse in our bay
and the system of buOys at Sandy Hook.
The New York pilots had for years held
the monopoly of plotting vessels into our
port. They neglected their duties to such
degree that hundreds of persons persisted
by shipwreck within sight Sandy Hook, on
Long Island shore. These pilots were often
in this city during severely cold weather,
instead of cruising off the coast. Mr.. Me-
Keen advocated a bill, which was passed
by Congress, authorizing pilots appointed
in New Jersey to have the same rights as
pilots of New York in the matter of com.
petition between pilots in our bay. In con-
sequence no great disaster has occurred
since. Merchants and Others in New ork
united in presenting Mr.. McKeon with a
magnificent silver vase in recognition OF his
valued services in this matter.
After leaving Congress he returned to
the practice of his profession. At the close
of the year lS45 he was appointed by the
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas and
the Board of Supervisors as District Attor-
ney for this county, to fill vacancy occa-
stoned by death. He was afterward elected
by the people for the same office, being the
first District Attorney ever elected by
popular vote. His administration of the
office is not forgotten. He convicted the
Astor House rioters he convicted the
notorious Madame Restell, who had for
years carried on an infamous business in
this city, but had escaped several prosecu-
tons he had to contend with the worst
gangs of foreign and domestic criminals
ever In this city, but he succeeded in con-
signing them to the State prison. His
energy and determination brought to pun
ishment officials who had betrayed their
trust His administration was character
lied throughout by resolution to uphold
the law irrespective of party allegiance.
In 1851 he travelled in Europe, and on his
return he again went into harness as
lawyer. He was appointed, during Pierce's
administration, District Attorney for the
United States, and his nomination was
unanimously confirmed by the Senate, the
usual reference to a committee being dis
pensed with in this case. As District At
torney he had TO deal with most difficult
questions Of international law. He was in
office when an attempt was made by GER
tain American capitalists to seize Nicaragua,
one of the Central American States. Mr..
McKeon broke up the expeditions of these
marauders, which mad been organized in
this city, and were intended for Nicaragua.
An invasion Of Cuba was also planned in
tho South. Here vessels and arms
of all kinds were being collected.
Mr.. McKeon seized the vessels and
broke up the scheme absolutely. In an
other matter Mr.. McKeon rendered like
valuable service. The Crimean war was
going on at the same time. Mr.. Champion,
the British Minister, was supposed to be
for the British army. Mr.. McKeon turned
his attention to the subject, indicted sew
eral parties for violation of our neutrality
laws, and convicted one of them-these
parties were receiving pay as Second Lieu
tenants in the British army. After convic-
ton, he recommended the prisoner for re.
lease from prison on the ground that the
United States should hold his principals
responsible for tie injury done our laws.
He then followed up Mr.. Champion until
overwhelming evidence OF his completely
was obtained and submitted to the Secre-
tary of State, Mr.. Marcy. The result was
that Champion was dismissed by President
Pierce, without murmur from the British
Government. In another matter Mr.. Nc
Keen rendered a conspicuous public SER
vice. When he went into office he found
that New York was the great depot for
fitting out slavers for the coast of Africa.
He took hold of the matter, convicted one
notorious offender, and pursuing his cru
SADIE with relentless vigor, succeeded finally
in breaking up the whole Infamous bust
ness.
Mr.. McKeon served three years in this
important office. Then a difference arose
between him and President Buchanan,
which resulted in his removal. The merits
of that controversy need not be gone into
now. 1t is sufficient to state that the
name of the person nominated to succeed
him was discussed for months in the Sem
ate of the United States that the nomina-
tion was confirmed by vote of % to 26,
the President defeating Mr.. McKeon by
| only one vote. President Buchanan lived
long enough to regret his mistake.
After his retirement from the office OF
District Attorney of the United States, Mr..
McKeon pursued the practice of his profes.
sion, having been engaged in some of the
most important cases which have been
heard of in New York city. His conduct
of the trial of Stokes for the murder Of
Fisk, when the jury disagreed, was con-
sidered not only brilliant, but effective.
In 1851 he was elected District Attor-
ney for the city and county of New York,
and in this position he had displayed the
same devotion to the public interests
which had marked his occupancy of other
| official noats atterlv tho intirmitiea Of