The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-06-17

League against the Louisiana Legislature,
which had led General Sheridan to de-
nounce the league as ''bandtti." Both
parties finally agreed to abide the commit
tees decision, and the Legislature was
organized In accordance with their report.
From the outset OF his Congressional career
Phelps showed independence, and on one
party measure. the sp-called civil rights
bill, which as lawyer he declared un-
constitutional las the courts subsequently
held, he voted against the Republicans.
This vote cost him his reelection. BE
was defeated by seven votes in a district
which he had previously carried by ma
jority of 2715. He had. become warmly at
tached to James G. Blaine, then Speaker
of the House, and was his ardent sup
porter in the Presidential conventions of
1876. 1880 and 1884.
In the last two conventions he was a
delegate-at-large from New Jersey. In
1881 President Garfield sent him as United
States Minister to Austria, where his
familiarity with the language and the
customs of the country. his liberal mode
of life and bis intense Americanism made
him a valuable representative. On the
change OF administration he at once ten
Gered his resignation, and finally retired
in August. 1882.
He was Immediately elected to Congress
again from his own district and continued
to serve through the FOrty-eghth, Forty
ninth and Fifteth Congresses, always
running hundreds, sometimes thousands
ahead of his ticket. His assignment on
committees required him to give much at
tentiOn 10 foreign affairs; but be had also
taken a special interest In the discussion
on the tariff, the merchant marine and the
Congressional library. Among his more
notable speeches, separately published,
are those on the franking privilege, Feb
ruary "a, 1874; sound currency, April l,
1874; the civil rights bill. February 4, 1875;
Fitz-John Porter's case, February l, 1884;
the Lasker resolutions, March 10, 1884; an
oration before General Grant and his
Cabinet at a Grand Army reunion in Pat
erson, n. j.. On The Dangers of War"
and one at Mount Holly, n. j., on Deco
ration day, 1856, on "The Dangers of
Peace; a tariff address before the Agri-
cultural Society of New Jersey, February
3, 1884, and one on Congress before the
New England Society, New York, Decem-
Der %. 1886.
He was regent of the Smithsonian In
stitution and a fellow of the corporation
of Yale College; was vice. president of tho
Yale Alumni Association, president of
the COlumt tia Law School Association and
a founder of the Union League and Uni
versity clubs.
The gravity of Phelps condition did not
become known until June Z. His malady, al
though supposed TO be consumption, is un-
derstood to have been a complication that
bsff1ed the physicians. He inherited pull
monary weakness that had given him much
trouble and been the source of deep solicit
tude among friends whenever he was re-
ported i'll.
While Minister to Berlin about two years
ago Judge Phelps underwent a painful
operation at the hands of eminent German
specialists. To recuperate from the effects
Of This he visited Egypt prior to returning
to America and. although greatly bens-
fited, 1t Is believed that this had some
thing to do with the debilitating influence
that developed since his arrival home. His
throat frequently annoyed him and it was
to seek relief from this and what the ply
scians termed malariOus symptoms that
he went to Old Point Comfort and Virginia
the latter part Of April.
On his return from the South Phelps con-
suited leading specialists. he was first
treated by them for tn ubercular laryngitis,
which led to the stories that he was pros
trated by consumption.
A fact that caused grave suspicion in the
public mind regarding the condition of the
patient was the unexpected return to
America of Mrs. Phelps. who had sailed
for Berlin only few weeks before to visit
her daughter, Frau Won Rottenburg-
Phelps. wife of ibe German Under Secre-
tary of the Interior. who had been mar
ried year previous. In this connection
it was also remarked that while the Phelps
family usually travel by the German steam-
ers Mrs. Phelps hurried to Southampton
by rail and caught the American flyer
Paris, thus gaining days time.
The inference was that Judge Phelps
Illness was from the first marked with the
greatest gravity, and his wife was urged
TO make all speed TO reach him. She ar
rived on the Paris and has since been In
constant attendance at the BEDSIDE of her
husband.