The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-08-01
JUDGE HOFFMAN DEAD.
An Eminent Jurist Passes Peacefully
Away,

Judge of the fourth judicial circui
of this State, died at his residenc,
on Washington street, IN this city
at five O'Clock yesterday morning il
his SEVENTEEN year. Judge Hoff
man had been IN delicate health fol-
some time but it was only during
the last few days that his illness
assumed such a form as to occasion
his friends any degree of uneasiness
There were times during the past
year or two when the judge would
appear to be rapidly falling in health
but from these spells there would
always be wonderful rally, and his
| death came rather as a shock to the
community than as an occurrence
to be expected at any moment.
Henry ". Hoffman was born in
this city in Nov. 1926, and in early
life learned the trade of "a timer,
which he soon afterwards abandoned
for the more congenial study of the
law, in the practice of which he soon
acquired high degree of emil
nence.
Judge Hoffman made his appear
ance in public life in 1855, when, as
the candidate for Congress of what
was then called the American party
his commanding oratory and power
as public speaker attracted and
won for him high position among
the great orators of the day. His
competitor in this memorable con-
test was Hon. VIM. L. Hamilton,
whom he defeated in one Of the most
holly contested political campaigns
of the time. In 1859 he was again
candidate for Congress, but was
defeated by Hon. Jacob NJ. Kunkel,
of Frederick.
During his term IN Congress an
event occurred on the floor of the
Senate, while that body was not in
session. which caused a hot wave of
Indignation to roll over the entire
north.
This was the assault made upon
Senator Charles Sumner by Preston
S. Brooks, a member of the House
from South Carolina, Senator
Sumner had sharply criticised the
political course of Senator Butler,
an uncle of Congressman Brooks,
and in revenge Brooks walked into
tho Senate chamber when Sumner
was seated at his desk, and assaulted
him with cane, inficting injuries
from which the Senator did not re-
cover for months. This act did
more to intensity the growing feel
ing of animosity between the North
and South that any event of the
times.
A resolution calling for the ex.
pulsion of Brooks from the House
brought on a discussion that still
further emblttered the feeling, and
Judge Hoffman had the moral cour-
age to cast his vote for the resolu-
ton. Brooks was expelled, but
was re elected and was back in his
seat within thirty days.
Judge Hoffman was elected SER
geant-at-arms of the next House of
Representatives, and when Presi-
dent Lincoln came into office IN
1861 he was appointed Collector of
the port of Baltimore. 1t was Judge
Hoffman's fortune to obtain the
confidence of the martyr President
to wonderful degree, and was fire.
quently consulted by him concern
ing matters of national as well as
State policy. On his retirement
from office he returned to Cum ber-
land and at once resumed the prac-
tice of the law.
In 1872 he suppo, ted Greeley for
President, and his speeches for that
campaign were noted for their power
and brilliancy. The only other
Office he ever held, except the judg-
ship, was that of city attorney under
the administration of Mayor Walton
in 1891.
In 1888 he.wa nominated by tho
Republicans for the position of as
sociate Judge of this judicial district
n,odo vacant INV tho 1aath IF Jud0a