The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-14
Death of David Dudley Field.

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Death of David Dudley Field.
At the age of SO years, sixty.four Of
which have been passed in incessant
activity in politics. the study and prac.
tice Of law, scholastic pursuits and in
the advocacy of important reforms,
David Dudley Field, n OF that won
derful trio Of brothers whose genius
has left Sn indelible Impress on
American life and American thought,
WAS yesterday suddenly summoned to
rest. The end to this remarkable
mans career WAS not unlike what he
could have wished; it came quickly,
without ~premonition, and it took him
away from labors that an active brain
found solace in even when bodily
strength gave signs of exhaustion.
During more than three-score years
the biography of Mr., Field. had 1t
been written by himself, as was his in
t%entiou, would have been practically q
history OF u national growth. But
however written. it is a narrative re-
plete with stirring incident, memoir
able labor and inspiring public useful.
ness. We cannot do bstter than to
quote q referanca to Mr.. Field which
was occupying our attention at the
very moment the wire clicked the cad
intelligence of his death a reference
psnned By a scholarly New York jour
nalist at the moment preparations were
making for receiving Mr.. Field upon
his return from 4 visit to Europe and
penned, therefore. with no thought of
the dramatic emphasis soon to be given
to it, Says the writer, Mr.. Z. J. Ed
wards:
Mr.. Field came to New York to practice
law soon after the Erie canal had given it
It's commercial prestige. He was familiar
with the. campaigns of Jackson, Clay and
Van Buren,. lie was in the prime Of early
manhood when Morse was developing the
telegraph. He was one Of the first to study
and establish railroad law. He was in ac-
tive practice when Tilden aad Evarts and
Morrison L. Waite were studying in the
same class at Yale. lie took an active part
ln the fight against the Albany Regency,
NHh Noo NNL -DlClOuS i'll LuS tACllllR
politics OF the barn. burners and
Hunter movements IN New York
state. He was a man of gray hairs
when Lincoln became president and he
had much to do with those preliminary
politics which dissipated the Wing, demon
allied the Democratic and organized the
Republican party. He knew personally
almost every man Of pre-eminent ability
IL professional, political or business activ-
ity from 1880 until his retirement from
professional life, five years ago. Through
his great work in attempting TO establish
codes OF law lie came in contact with the
greater jurists Of Great Britain and the
continental nations, aud Of all these re.
markable experiences he speaks now TO his
friends, as one or another of them is sug-
gested, with vividness Of description and
delightful charm Of anecdote.
To the sole survivor Of that strong
New England family which, together
with the Adamses, stand forth in
American history as phenomenal OK.
amp,es of concentrated intellectually,
character and culture-to DR.. Henry
NJ. Field, whose brothers, Cyrus ".
and David Dudley, have been so path
stically taken away. the Ameri-
can people proffsr q sympathy the pro-
fundity of which expresses their pride
in the great work that each has done.
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SOME DISSATISFACTION is expressed in
= Wilkes Barre free lance newspaper
because at the Scranton's Elks' recent
entertainment of visiting brethren from
Luzsrne there wss o tendency toward
oratorical pleasantly, at Wilkes. Barre's
expense. Had the local entertainers
been serious, they would moi have re-
ferred to Wilkes.Barre. since, so far as
Scranton ia concerned. it is not in evil
dence. The %jocular admission of
Wilkes-Barrs as a theme Of amiable al.
lusion was in itself q tribute which the
majority of visitors no doubt appreci =
atsd. Inasmuch. however, as tho
Wilkes Barre sensibility is a fearful
and wonderful trait, it might possibly
have been batt er to have talk Ell no
chances.
No GOOD reason has yet bssn offered
why the oontrollership law should not
apply Ne we'll to counties having under
$50, 900 inhabitants as to counties hav-
ing moro than that popul alton. An
efficient, non-partisan scrutiny of pub
lie accounts is equally as desirable 10
small counties as IL is in large ones.
An amendment making the controller.
ship feature general, or, at least,
broadening its application, would com.
mand much popular strength.
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