New-York tribune., 1889-12-22
CHARACTERISTIC or z. ". DICKERSON.
HIS GENIAL NATURE AND KEEN sARcAsM-A
GIFT FROM THE czAR.

HIS GENIAL NATURE AND KEEN sARcAsM-A
GIFT FROM THE ozAR.
Edward y. Dickerson. the eminent patent lawyer
who died several days ago, was always very busy
man. lie was an extremely hard worker. and when he
was not engaged on some case which required days
and weeks Of his closest attention he gould generally
be found buried deeply in some OF his favorte studies
The range OF his requirements was 50 broad that de-
spite his fine memory and quick mind. II must nave
taken him years Of unceasng toll to gather his store OF
valuable and brilliant knowledge Yet, notwithsand-
ing his devotion 10 work, he could always hnd tme
for pleasant word TO every lie was always
genial and polite and one Of his most attractive
characteristics was his generosity in sharing his
knowledge with people. lie would often 20 out OF
his way TO assist some one in th- way, and he would
do this ont of pure good nature.
on one occasion reporter went TO Mr.. DlckerSon
to ask him to explain a point about which there was
some doubt. The busy lawyer had no personal IN
crest in the question and had seen the reporter
before. But he explained the subject carefully ana
clearly, and went far as TO make further eA-
animation, wrote out the result OF his invesugatoh
and sent IT, together with an interesting opinion Of
his own, TO the reporter. II was this warm gooo'
fellowship which made friends for the lawyer
Mr.. Dckcrson Outand-out Democrat as
he expressed H. He was very proud of his politics.
hut he could not stomach free trade and came oui
boldly in the campaign Of 1893 against Mr. CleVe'
lands policy. d" No one questioned the democracy
Of nay father and grandfather" he once said. They
entertained foolish ideas about frec trade, ana Wa
good enough politics for them Is good enough
for me- During the Presidential campaign Mi.
Dickersons name printed at the end OF circular
calling for the formation OK a free trade political
organization When he saw the circular he Was
dumbfounded. lie was himself so honest, frank ana
straightforward that he could not make himself be
lieve that men could commit such disgraceful act
La iDah
some mistake.' But there no mistake and the
published letter which Mr. Dickerson wrote In re-
buttal of the circular one of the most cutting
forcbc and conclusive contributions to the literature
of that stirring campaign . A., F..
electrical wires and had his health not failed him he
would no doubt, have added some highly interesting
and entertaining information to the discussion which
has been going actively for several months In
fact there published ono interview with him on
lie was determined and untrng fighter and hard
hitter. These qualities marked his early career as d
| New York living in New-Jersey. At that time the
evening suburban trains were run IN decidedly nap
| hazard manner Sometimes the young lawyer was set
down at his town and sometimes he was left thls
side Of it and was forced to walk the rest OF tne
distance. Whenever he was treated IN tlls uhceH
mOnOus fashion he began suit against the railroad
company. In the end the company wearied OF hghl-
! ing him. and henceforth Mr. DlckeS0ns ticket was
good for a ride 90 his own station - -
m It S. IN S G M TeTe Ts'f e"sn and at
times he made use Of fine sarcasm which cut IKE IKE
the tapering lash Of silken whip 1t was In one one
/ OF MS suits against tnc rdllrOdu COMPANY
eled by fts and starts that he pitted against
veteran lawyer. The older c'Insel got up and re
marked crisply referring to NJ. Dckerson, who repre-
sened himself: :" It's a welllsiown legal axiom that
when a man is his own lawyer he has fool for
| client
Like flash came the retort " But he is better off by
far than the client who has fool for COUNSEL and
he bowed gravely to his opponent,
! Mr. Dicxerson had many valuable souvenirs. One
Of them was reminder OF his extensive travels
When he was I'm Russia he met with great honor from
the Emperor Nicholas having many interviews with
him. when he left the country he carried away a
ring in which were set the initials of the Gar Of all
the Russas a personal token of friendship from the
/ Emperor.