The Press., 1888-03-01
WILLIAM WILSON CORCORAN.

| Mr. Corcoran, the Washington banker, 1 philauthropist and politician, who dled on | Friday last, has been for many years the | first citizen of the capital. He was born in Georgetown in 1798, and lived and died within a short distance of his birthplace He was possessed of the strong traits of character that mark man of executive ca- pacitv. In 1S40 he formed partnership in Washington with Mir. G. w. Riggs
 Henceforward his prosperity as unchang- ed. His financial services to the govern ment at the time of the Mexican war, call ed out the thanks of Daniel Webster, then secretary of state.
 Before and during the war, Mir. Corcoran was leader in the democratic party. He had the confidence of it's presidents of ante-war days He largely dictated the fiscal policy of the treasury department when it was under democratic control. When the war came he was on the side of the south, and he quilted the country and lived abroad until peace was declared. Bis beautiful home, the central part of which was the house given by the Boston merchants to Daniel Webster. was rented during the war to the French minister in order that it might be saved from confsca- tion. When he returned Mir. Corcoran be- came the center of the old w Washington and southern society which still fingered at the capital, and which has been gradually warming into life since the beginning of the Hayes administration. Down to the last he preserved a wonderfully strong hold upon the leaders of his party, and within the last few years many point of party policy has been settled at his din ner-table. It was partly by his advice that the southern members of congress insisted on the adoption of the electoral commis- | sion device.
 Mr. Corcoran has been chiefly thought of, however. during the last years of his life as philanthropist. His noble chari- 1 ties will be his monument. He has given away millions of dollars. It would be i'm. possible here to rehearse all his benefac tions to the city of Washington. But two are of special importance. No visitor to the national capital has failed to visit the Corcoran Art Gallery at Pennsylvania ave and Seventeenth st. lover the door of which is the simple inscription Dedicated to Art," a fine building filled with rich treas
 ures of vast artistic and money value. The erection of the gallery was begun i'll 1857
 but in the war time it was occupied by the quartermaster's department. The total cost was about $350, 900.
 1 Of another and most touching form oi
 philanthropy, was the founding of the
 Louise Home for the sustenence of ageC
 ladies, left without means. The charm
 ingly delicate manner in which MT. Cor
 coran treated these unfortunate ladies, al
 of whom have seen better days, bestowine
 on them the most marked personal court
 esy and consideration, is in noble contras
 with the management of the great majority I of similar institutions. The home is named
 after Mr. Corcorans wife and only child
 Louise, both long since deceased, but who's,
 memories he tenderly cherished
 Another instance of MT. Corcoran's s pub
 lie spirit and iberality is still fresh in the
 minds of all We refer to his providing for the re-interment of the author O
 ''Home, Sweet Home" and the erection
 of monument over his grave.
 A noble sentiment is contained in the parodoxical sentence not long ago uttered by MT. Corcoran "Of all my money
 that which I have given away is all that i
 truly mine."