New-York tribune., 1898-12-07

Hart Bedford Village He was admitted 10 the
har IN lSi7 and in 1874 formed partnership IN the
practice of Law with Ode Close IN White Plains
under The firm name of Close & Robertson. a part
ner-1D that lasfeu until tho death Of Mr.. Close
several wears ago
With natural bent Of mind for 20 itcs and tho
leadership of mon he carry achieved prominence
among his associates. Before no was of age h-
took warm interest IN the Harrison campa ign of
1870 and IN lS4i cast his first Presidential vote for
Henry clay. Thus from the beginning he
Wig aId whom that party dissolved he be-
came Republican. In lsi he elected Super
intendent Of Sch ,ols. an Office he held for
ner OF terms. For several years he was Super
visor from tho town Of Bedford and twice chair
mar II the Board. IN 1915 and lsia he represented
his district In the Assembly and in ls53 VAS elected
State Senator in which capacity among other I'm
por ant measures he introduced tho bill establish
ing he state Department Of Public Instruction.
1855. and wa- twice reelected 70 thef office For
.iN Years no was inspecfor of tho Seventh, Rygad.
y. y NJ. ana was appointed 10y GovetHor Nor
gan m w.? chairman of The committee to raise and
and also commissioned to superintend the
draft In Westchestcr County
In 1850 1t WIS his privilege to be member Of tho
Electoral College that elected Abraham Lincoln
President, and he was an ardent supporter Of Lin.
coin In the National Convention OF lS+. In 1850
Judge Robertson was elected TO the %Lth Con-
In 1871 he was again elected % the a'a Senate
by vote 1874 greater than that cast for other
candidate on the Republican ticket In the state.
In l'72 ls5 1s77 and lS79 he reelected. in every
instance by vote showing his great personal
strength and popularity among III" voters Of his
district. In the course or me "Eht Years OF MS
service IN the Senate he was is president pro
tom lie seryed as chairman Of the ,ommttces on
Judiciary. his faithful and conscientious discharge
Of MS dulles as chairman OF ne Iastlnanea con-
OF the people OF this STATE
70. Governor & ane 40 aga" h@ Ms Iam@l
mis- cfrq fle rpriye D.,
IN ls7s Judge Robertson was on ot the three
dent Grant to vsi. Florida to supervise the count
ing ~ he electoral vote Of that State. and In the
same year tho degree Of III. y was conferred upon
in February. $50 he was appointed delegate
n June warm friend Of James G.. Blaine. Judge
state CONVENTION instrn'ting delegates 10 vote ~
unit. and II is generally conceded that It was
ihe m poTer ~ ,h Unit re IA RepubSan CON-
ventlons and made the nomination OF James A.
BY organizing the movement among Repuhrans
In this state which prevented tho nomination OF
hostility Of senator ConknG. who was determined
70 have solid delegation Tor General Grant from
w-York a letter. signed by Judge Robertson.
"On he irst rollcaii al Chicnro and on each sub
snail vote for James q. Blaine J shall vote for
him because no Is the choice of the Repubcans
Of the district which | represent" The revolt ot
Judge Robertson was apllauded by many Kepub-
and before the end Of May II WAS known thar nine
teen OF the seventy-t"o delegates from es-fork
Chicago convento4 They sFned pledge, & to, to that
previous TO the meetng Of IN" Convention. on
call 10 opposing the third term on every ballot.
General GARFIELD was nominated on the thirty
On March g. 1881. President Garfield named Judge
Robertson for appointment & a. CoHcctor ct OF .ns,
hailed win delight by by H9ny e5. Fsern6eans Of
l resolutions tina nking President Garfield.
questing the United States Senate TO confirm
live" senator Conkng and Senator Plat. how
ever were opposed TO the CONFIRMATION OF Judge
Robertson. and dec Jared that senatorial courtesy"
had been dlsregarded because they had not been
consulted about the selection OF Judge Robertson
for such an important once me TWO Senator'S
from this state Joined with Vice President Arthur
and ostmaster-General James In letter to the
President protesting against the appointment.
on May I. ISL Senators Conklng and Platt sent
seats in the United States Senate Three days
later the Senate confirmed tho nomination or Judge
Ffesdent ssned n Judge RobeTson on
June % Judge Robertson was d state Senator al
Collector ' Of Of the Port Immediately Mr. Conking
and AIr platt were endeavorng 10 be returned 70
was caused I'm the Legislature on account OF oppo-
siiion to them lasted until after President Gar
1t was not until July l6 that Warner Miller was
Eibridee c. Tapham was elected as the successor
OF Mr.. Conkling on July Z? Judge robertson took
August l. 1881
In 1854 he reelected 10 the State Senate. and
In The state and National councils OF his party
he WAS an important factor FOR more than d quar-
ter OF a century. having been repeatedly elected
delegate to the National conventions and for the
"a me length Of time al iutermissOn OF two
three years. d member OF the Repuflican State
Committee. He was as prominent In his profes.
sional as In his political NE and at the time OF
his death president OF the Bar Association o.
. this State.
In 1876 he married Miss Mary T.. Ballard. who
survives him. but without children Her father
was Horatlo Ballard: leading LAWYER Of Cort
land County. In 1863 Judge Robertson built house
al Katonah on the Harlem Railroad. In West
chester County where he lived until recently. when
ne removed q a home he had built at New
4 Katonah the site OF his hrst home having been
taken FOR the uses of the Public Works Depart
ment OF New York. In operations connected with
The Crofon water supply ~ that city.
To few has fallen the happy lot or being beloved
bv his fellow was Judge Robertson. His
uprighiness Of action and conscientious fuhlment
OF public obligations have never been questioned
and besides his stainless Integrity he possessed
a soundness OF judgment and a clear perception OF
wise policy that made hlm discreet counsellor and
q safe leader His public career was rema arkahle
one In 4 district strongly opposed 10 him political
" h- was repeatedly elected Judge. Representa-
~ nd