New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-08

showed more courage than has been disclosed by
Senators in many years. Almost every man Of them
was asked by Governor Black to cast his vote in
favor CT -, confirmation of Mr.. Payn They nat
uray wish to act in harmony with the Governor.
Mr.. Black is nos a revengeful man. He is too
broad minded for that and not of the Senators
Will suffer at his hands for voting against Mr..
Payn. but, nevertheless all of them must have felt
that they lost a certain amount of influence with
the Governor when they told him that they could
not vote for his nominee. Politicians In their Senate
districts and members of the Republican State
Committee threatened openly that the organization
would not forgive them The voters Of the State
may well be interested in the careers Of the men
who had the bravery TO represent the best public
opinion in the State. Sketches of them follow:
GEORGE W. BRUSH.
Senator George W. Brush. Of Kings County,
whose voice was heard in the Republican caucus
against the candidacy of Thomas C. Platt for
United States Senator again heard from when
the name of Louis +. Payn was sent TO the Senate
for confirmation. Senator Brush In a concise and
forcibe speech stated clearly the reasons which
impelled him vote against the confirmation OF
Mr. Payn, and pointed out why he deemed such n
nomination and confirmation dangerous 10 the best
interests of the Republican party Tfis independent
Senator was born ffty-fve years ago. Of Colonial
stock on farm at West Hills In the town OF
Huntington, Long Island. The breaking out Of the
attending the town academy Casting schoolbooks
aside he shouIdered a musket, and enlisted one
of the first members Of the 4sth Regiment. New
York State Volunteers Enlisting as a private, he
served throughout the and left the service at
the age Of only twenty-five years, with the rank OF
captain.
Senator Brush's service in the Army was chiefly
confined TO the Department of the South. lie bore
a CONSPICUOUS part in the siegcs of Forts Pulaski
and Sumter and al the siege of Charleston An IN
cident Of the campaign in the South shows the
fearles.ness displayed by the young soldier lie
had been sent TO perform service with only
handful of men, leaving the remainder OF the reGi-
ment on a steamer in one Of the rivers OF South
Carolina He had been obliged TO take the only
small boat with which the vessel was equipped.
Soon after his departure the enemy opened fire on
the steamer from battery on the shore. In an
attempt TO escape the fusilade from the shore the
steamer grounded oyster bed In mdstream
and was at the mercy Of the battery. Brush, dis
covering the danger in which his comrades were
placed and knowing that the boat which he had
offered the only means of escape called FOR four
volunteer oarsmen from his little detachment, ana
amid hail Of shot and shell from the shore ferred
most of the regiment 10 the opposite shore. Four
hundred lives in imminent peril were thus saved by
the bravery Of the young lieutenant. who had barely
reached his majority The bravery OF Senator Brush
at this time recently recognized by the National
Government which conferred upon him and his
four oarsmen medals Of honor.
Returning 10 Brooklyn at the close Of the
Senator Brush took up the study of medicine. and
In the later years OF his life he has been actively
engaged IN the practice of that profession He has
never been too much engrossed in either professional
or political duties 10 neglect church work and char
table interests in the city Of Brooklyn
Senator Brush has been thorough student Of
political conditions and from his first entrance into
politics has advocated higher and purer political
standard It was he who called the first meeting
OF the organization now famous as the Committee
~ One Hundred. He has been an active and ardent
supporter Of the Republican party since he shoul-
dered n musket in the early days OF the Rebellion
His fret entrance into the political life Of the State
occurred when the nomination came to him un-
sought as a candidate for Assembyman from Kings
County in 1894 The reputation he brought 10 the
Legislature when he entered the lower house has
never for a moment been tinged by a suspicious act
and his influence In the Senate that Of an honest
GEORGE A. DAVIS
Senator George A. Davis. OF the XIIXth Senate
District a district where Independence of action is
admired and remembered. bern in the city OF
Buffalo on August g. 1853 lie received his education
in the public schools Of that city and laid the foun-
dalton for later independence In supporting himself
while yet a mere lad. When only ten years old he
was carrying newspapers on the streets of Buffalo
in order to money to continue his education
Finishing his elementary education he learned tho
picture-frah makers trade. and by long hours Of
labor and strict economy earned money enough