New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-10
OBITUARY.
A, G.. MAGRATH.

Charleston, April (special).- Eek Governor A. u.
Msgrath died here at 9 30 p. m. to-day. He was
born In Charleston, February g. 1913. lie was OF
Irish descent. his father having been engaged In the
Irish rebellion Of 1893. for which he arrested. but
escaping fed TO this country. and having engaged In
business as a merchant died at an advanced age In
this city, The early education OF young Magrath was
| received Bishop England's school, where he re-
| mdned until 1927, when he ehtered the South Caro-
| lima College, and graduated thence with high
honors In 1891 the Rev. James ii. Thornwell the
distinguished Presbyterian divine. being one Of his
classmates. lie studied law under the late James
L. Pcttgru and In 1882 entered the law school at
Harvard University graduating thence under the d.
recton OF Judge Story.
Admitted to the Bar IN 1885, he at once began
the practice Of his profession In Charleston. under
the most favorable auspices lie was elected 10 the
state Legislature as member from Charleston IN
Io4O and reelected In ls42. In 1850 when separate
State action urged By large party in the State.
he was conspicuous among those who opposed and
defeated 1t. In the convention called for the con.
deratOn Of that question he was elected and sat
! a member from Charleston In the discussion Of the
exciting political questions Of the day he contributed
many articles 10 the press in opposition TO squattcr
sovereignty In the Territories, and the rights q the
slave holding States In newly acquired territory Of the
United States.
In the Presidential contest between Taylor and Cass
he sided with that portion OF the Democratic party
IN the State which supported Zachary Taylor. In
1856 he elected delegate to represent tie State
at large In the Democratic Convention at Cincinnati
or the nomination OF candidate FOR the Presidency,
but before the meeting OF the Convention he was APP
pointed In April Of that year BY President Pierce.
District Judge OF the State OF South Carolina, and
thereupon resigned bis place In the Convention He
Continued the Bench until 1850, sending IDS
resignation to President Buchanan November = In
anticipation Of the Rebellion Abiding to the pros
pect OF conflict In his letter OF resignation 10 the
President he wrote: SHOULD that conflict arise
would not hesitate In my conduct. ! shall devote
my best energies to sustain the State Of South Car.
Ona in whatever position she may resolve to occupy
In this crisis. The execution Of my purpose In this
respect might be productive Of embarrassment
to you sou not aware OF II until the emergency
anticipation, therefore, of that occasion
resign now into your hands as Judge OF the United
states for the State Of South Carolinu.'
The resignation Of Judge Magrath was then and
ever will be regarded prominent among those
events which determined the relation OF the State to
the Government OF the United States, and was the
first act and irrcvocable step to Its secession
from the Union Immediately after his resignation
he elected by large majority at the head Of
the ticket delegate TO the convention which passed
the Ordinance Of Secession, and while still mem
Der Of that body selected by Governor rckens
n leading member OF his Cabinet
AS the Confederate Government was es-
tablshed he appointed OF the Judges OF the
Confederate states for South Carolna. He retained
the Office until November, 1864, when at the meet
ing Of the Legislature OF that year he elected
Governor OF South Carolina. He was inaugurated on
December 20, 1864.
During his tenure Of the GovernOrship the State
passed through period OF the greatest and most
fearful depression II has experienced. The treas
| ury bankrupt the State invaded, the people impOv
crished and discouraged helpless In the present hope
less In the future Prior TO Shermans occupation
OF Columbia all the State archives possible were
moved and the remainder destroyed. Governor Ma
grath leaving the capital the morning that It
occupied by the Federal troops returned to 1t to
fud the Garden City a heap Of smouldering ruins.
At the fall OF the COnfederacy In April, 1865, he
arrested by order Of the Government OF the United
States and confined ut Fort Pulaski. The State Con-
ventiOn which met In september, 1865, Under the
direction OF President Johnson, made strong appeal
to the President for his release but 1t until
the latter end OF December Of that year that he
liberated on his parole. Then he returned TO Charles
ton. where he resumed the practise CT law. and soon
re-establishcd himself In successful and lucrative