New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-11
CHAIRMAN ". II. BARNUM DYING
FRUSTRATED By AN OLD COMPLAINT.
ALL HOPE ABANDONED by HIS DOCTORs-
SKETCH OF NOTED DEMOCRATIC

fsr TELEGRAPH TO TEE rRrBuNA


bridgeport Nov. low. H. Barnum is dying at
his homo In Limo Rock, in tho town OF Salisbury.
His health has NOT been strong since he recovered
from long sickness few years ago. In conse-
Qucnce OF this, when the time arrived to elect
chairman of the Democratic National Committee this
year he declined, but later consented TO continue in
the position with the distinct undersi andlng that the
active duties appertainng the place should be por
formed by Colonel BrIcc. Last Monday in New
York. much fatigued he complained OF feeling III.
Arriving In this city that day he was so Frustrated
that he could not 90 to hotel as was his want, but
remained at the railroad station bolstered up with
cushions He took the first train for Lime Rock, but
too sick Tuesday to go to the polls In Sails
bury. Yesterday he seemed better and 1t was thought
his chances for recovery were good. During the
night, however, there unfavorablc turn In his
case, and this morning his physicians gave up all
hopes and authorized the announcement that he could
not live through the day.
At o p. m. Mr. Barnum still alive and resting
somewhat easier, though he not expected to sur
vive the night
Mr.. Barnums alarming Illness Is not altogether
expected Ho has not enjoyed really good health
since his serious sickness three years But he
entered the labors of the campaign with all the
energy he could command and remained at worn
here with Senator GoIman and Dr. Brlce until he
was actually compelled through weakness and
prostration, TO give up and go home lie
has suffered for years from heart disease, and this, with
kidney and intestinal troubles, broke down at last his
splendid constitution On Saturday night, when he
decided TO leave the city, he was so weak that he
had to be carried out of the hotel
In the death of William III. Barnum the Democracy
will lose one of abest and most experienced man.
ayers. He has been among the most potent factors
In his partys National campaigns for over dozen
years, and 1t IS commonly said that his influence,
moro than anything else. has kept Connecticut In the
Democratic column. Certain It Is that whom he has
been in charge Of the Democratic canvass the state
has never failed cast her electoral vote for the
Democratic candidate. This the case in 1876 in
1884 and this year In 1880, when Mr.. Barnum
not ntrusted with the chalImanshp, Connecticut gave
Garfield plurality of over 1000. The tariff as the
Issue made It an uphill fight for the Democrats In
Connecticut this time. Barnum was an avowed pro-
tcctlonist 1t known that ne looked With little
favor on the Presidents feetrade policy yet, as IN
the case of smith Weed and other leaders, party
ties were too strong 10 allow him 10 remain indiiGer-
ent or inactive. He threw himself into tho fight
and had the satisfaction of seeing his state on the
side of the Administration, though by small
plurality.
Mr. Barnum was born in Columbia County, this
State september II, 1913, and Is therefore In MS
SEVENTEEN year His father was farmer near
Dover. lie gave his son IA common school education
but before Il had been fairly completed the family
lished an iron foundry. lie took his son. then only
eighteen years old, into partnership with him. The
firm became extensively engaged in the manufacture
of car wheels and ii interested I'm the mining ana
iron interests the Lake superior region The young
man developed remarkable business ability. HIS
executive powers fairly asonished those VINO came IN
contact with him. Dornan b. Eaeon said of him
once:
Mr. Barnum can do more business In an hour
than many a man who considers himself clever can
do In day. He 60 to New-York this evening
for instance, transact business amounting 10 hai
million dollars and be back here the following day
at work again as usual"
After making a fortune In business MI Barnnm
turned his attention to politics. He entered the State
Legislature In 1851 This gave him foothold in
public life He gradually extended his sway until
1867 when he came into prominence as Con
gressional candidate In the lVth Dlstrict against
his namesake, z. T. Barnum. The famous Snowman
had been nominated by tho Republicans, but 'hele
were signs Of dsafection in the party which the
Democrats took advantage Of by selecting the wealthy
and ambitious young politician Of Lime Rock 1t Is
one Of the traditions politics that this was one OF
the hottest fights ever witnessed in the old Nutmeg
state Money was poured out like water There
was such Wholesale bribery that after william H.
Barnum's electon-for he did succeed In getting
more votes than his opponent-an investigator was
ordered. Nothing, however, cano OF H.
The successful candidate reelected 10 me
XIIst Mild XLIIId and XLlVth Congresses. In
Nav 1876 he resigned u take seat In me senate
having been elected TO the vacancy caused by inc
death of O. s. Ferry (Rcp) His election was de-
scribed as an auction, and the friends Of Governor
English who was Mr. Barnums rival for the honor,
declared that they had been betrayed at a cost OF
about 900 900 TO Mr. Barnum This money, u was
then rrported had been contributed by Mr.. Barnum
IN the preceding state canvass with the dhunct
avowal TO the Democratic Committee that he would
he candidate for the senatorshp: Governor
English contributed 10000, 5000 less man had
been asked Of him. There was hVely hght Out ule
Governor worsted A. ,,..,, ~ ,acs
At the National Democratic convention OF iooc.
which nominated seymour and BlaiI, MI bafnum WIS
delegate and since 1872 he has been an active mcn'
selected him to manage the campaign Of 1876, and
undoubtedly he did much to make that contest no
torous as any man IN the canvass. An aggressive
fighter shrewd in all sorts OF political manipulation
and fertile In resources he hesitatcd To go To
any length that he deemed necessary 10 carry an cleo
tIon flc took great pride in the fact that he was
al the head OF tho National Committee when his party
came back into power four years His Illness
prevented him from assuming the responsibilities OF
This campaign, though he still retained his place
chairman Of the committed and did what he could ~
assist Mr. Rrcc in his efforts TO prevent the disaster
OF Tuesday. Mr. Barnum married In 1r47 TO
Miss Baker. His wife. two and two daughters
are still living
Il WHIPPED FOR VOTING FOR HARRISON
Atlanta Nov 10 (Speclal)-The Democrats rule in
Eberton, small town in Northeast Georgia. In
this town only vote cast for Harrison