New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-17
OBITUARY.
SAYLES jerks BOWEN.

Washington. Dec. l6 lSpeciaD.-Ex- Mayor Bowen
died in ;his city to-day. Sayles jerks Bowen was
born in the township of Scipo. Cayuga County,
" Y. October T. 1913. He assisted his fs Their in
the labor OF the farm until he attained his majority.
He received good education az Aurora Academy.
and from the age OF seventeen taught school during
the winter For four years succeeding 1888
ne was engaged In mercantile pursuits, after which
he removed 10 the South and in 1915 was appointed
to clerkship in the Treasury Department. under the
Administration of President Polk il was in this
Administration that the with Mexico took place
and Texas annexed 10 the United States a
fierce controversy arose the question whether
slavery should be extended into the annexed terri
tory. The celebrated ordinance Of IFS. prohibited
slavery forever in the Northwestern Territory and
in 1871 what was called the Wimot Provso was
introduced in The House Mr.. Bowen did not regard
Il MS duty Democrat extend slavery into free
territory. lie therefore favored the proV.sO ana
aided Senator Sumner. David Wmot. Joshua Il.
distributing documents in favor OF me measure rms
iS4s Mr. Bowen WAS removed from his cierkship.
After this ne engaged in the prosecution OF Claims
against the Government, ana assisted many No.un-
leer Army officers who mad been engaged IN me
Mexican war In adjusting their accounts wi.n ..e
Government. His business brought him into frequent
States. with many of whom he became favorite;
The years between 1915 and 1856 were years OF
political agitation-the Missouri Compromise had
been abrogated and the Fugitive Slave law enactea
THESE measures caused great excitement among the
people and the efforts 10 extend slavery into kansa
and Nebraska were warmly discussed ana stuppo,';y
resisted. Mr.. Buchanan was eiecied President IN
1866 and in his Administered ton the effort to eXten1
slavery persisted in with vigor and 1t ended IN
From 1856 to 1851 Mr.. Bowen frequently APP
preached By Southern men to win him over TO , me
NAMED true to his convictions. ard his loyalty TO
the Union was never doubted In the Presdentia a.
campaigns OF 1855 and 1860 he took an active part
for the Republican candidates. and on the election
Of Mr.. Lincoln he was taken INTO MS conha pa' 70
In 1861 he was appointed Commissioner OF fonce
fOr no of Columbia.
made disbursng officer FOR the thlteu
iector Of Tnternal Reverue for the District of Co
lumbia. which Office he held until he was appointed
Postmaster Of Washington. IN 1865. during S p tne
war all the mails 10 and from the Army or the TO
tornac distri buted and mailed through TINS
Office yet under Mr. Bo~ens administration; mot m"'
was so managed as to satisfy inc puDh, ,,,
IT. 1853 ne was elected Mayor Of this city During
mcnts Mr. Bowen first suggested pubic SCHOOLS Tor
the colored children Of Washingto on and drew ne
bills which have been enacted into law hueI III.
management as trustee and treasurer the hrst
sites purchased and the first four schooi-
houses for colored children were erected TO these
schools the city authorities were violently opposed
and refused 10 pay the city's share or the schooi
Bowen determined TO keep these schools in opera
ton. used his private means to pay inc teacnors
hfty-one in number-and 70 detray tne o,ne ,hnr 4,
sary expenses of the schools, sustaining ,ne'l ~
tbs way for nearly "A year. re expehu"o oF'r
Soeo Of his own money but mad ne %
seeing the educational interests OF the colored peo
pie triumph over all opposition. ,,,
He also the ilrst executive ofcer or inc DIS
trci who bestowed offices OF trust ana nonor on
colored men. and 70 his efforts they were iid"D,el
for their only enjoyment OF the privileges OF voting
In the District and OF being made witnesses ana
Jurors I'm courts OF law and arenahle to the same
laws and punishments the white peop'e AS IN
the case OF the colored sch ,ols he prepared eVery
bin passed by Congress whirh had for ia object
the ameiOraton Of the condition and elevation or
the cOlored race. He was always the friend OF me
poor and unfortunate. In the several offices heid
iy him he collected and dsbursod millions CT Gov
eminent money not penny OF which was ever
mis- "a ted on M legally
for Mr. Bowen was a Regent of the Smithsonian
Ipa ftftfio