New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-05
OBI7 UARY.
BENJAMIN Il. BREWSTER.

BENJAMIN H. BREWSTER
THE Ex-ATToRNEY-GENERAL suCcUMBs uN-
EXPECTEDLY TO A COMBINATION OF NAL
PhiladephlS, April 4-Denjsmin H. Brewster died
this morning from q complication OF mssdics lnclud-
Ing trouble with the heart and Brghts disease OF the
Kidneys, to which, At tho last added paralysis OF
the bladder. Although he had becn confined to his
house for several weeks his death pectcdly
to bis family He rallied 10 able TO drive
out but had relapse ten days ago. in spite Of which
he had hoped to appesf In the Iowa prohibition cases
before the United States Supreme Court to morrow:
Until few hours before the end his mind reInA ned
clear, aud he passed away peacefully.
benjamin Harris Brewster was born In Salem
County, N. - on October l3. 1915. where his foro-
fathers had long held large estates His father was
an eminent lawyer in his day. having attained to a
largo practice 10 Philadelphia Young Brewster was
sent to Princeton. from which he was graduated in
1884 On leaving colsge. he logan the study Of law
with Eli X Price, q well known Phil sdsl phla law
yer, and was admitted to practice In 1888. He al
once achieved great prominence. although the Phils
dephis bar At that time Numbered its such
men as Binney aud Sergeant and Meredith He
soon appointed by President Polk a commissioner to
adjudcao the claims OF the Cherokee Indians against
the United States. As lawyer be amply fulfilled
the bright promise Of his early career. and for
than thirty years he was engaged IN nearly all tho
great cases that were tried In Philadelphia Prnn
sylvsnia His arguments werc msstery combinations
Of oraory and legal scumsn His sympsthes
broad and generous, and he always ready to assist
in a worthy cause. A striking instance OF this
his delivery in Phadel pha In 1880 Of lecture in aid
Of the sufferers by the famine in Ireland when he
Introduced by Roman Catholic as o man who In
doing good knew no distinction OF race creed
Previous to his appointment as Attorney General
Of the United States BY President Arthur 10 1881 he
had never held but ono othor public Office Of mpor
lance, that OF Attorney General OF Pennsylvania to
which he was appointed In 1897 by Governor Ceary
But on two occasions he very near being elected
United States Senator. Up to the Mr. Brew
ster was Democrat, but that event seriously modi
fed his political views lie became very Jealous
In the support Of the Government, and his eloquence
and powerful appeals to the loyalty of the people
In those exciting days entte him to the gratitude Of
all good citizens.
As leading counsel Of the Government in the Star
Route cases, Mr.. brewster subjected acrid
criticism at the time, because Of the failure of the
Government to bring about a conviction. But there
Is little doubt that this failure due to other causes
than a lack OF industry or ability on the part OF Mr.
Brewster. The experience which be gained then was
Of much assistance to him afterward, when as Attor
ney Of the United states, be directed the star
Mr. brewster made a dgnlaed and efficient Attor-
ney-Genera. He was fond of society, and his dress
school He was married in 1857 to MISS Elijah tn
Won Mysrbsch de Reinfedts Prussian LADY, who dled
In 1868 In 1870 he married to Mary. the daugh-
Of the Hon Robert J. c. Walker, OF Pennsylvania
by whom he had one child
As literary man and a scholar, Mr. Brewster was
Justly esteemed Although his orations showed EVIL,
donces OF erudon, they were always interesting and
picturesque He particularly Interested In the
history Of the Middle Ages, and monograph which
he wrote on Pope Gregory VII has received high
praise. He delivered many notable addresses and
lectures various occasions which were character
efforts may DO mentioned his lecture Fred rick
the Great an address before the American Whlg ana
Closophc Societies OF Princeton College, a speech
delivered at the Cooper Institute of this city In the
campaign OF 1868, address before the Law Academy
Of Philadelphia, and his remarkable orations at the
laying OF the corner stone OF the new public build.
ings OF Philadelphia, and on Pennsylvania Day
In personal appearance Mr. Brewster was OF III,
tie more than medium height. slightly corpulent ana
with a face full Of character and expression