The evening times., 1899-05-13
Roswell +. Flower.

The death of Roswell p. Flower from
heart failure following an attack Of indi-
gestion. was SO sudden that it will come
as shock TO the community. There can
be little doubt that the tremendous strain
TO which the former Governor was sub
jected in his recent Wall Street operations
was primarily responsible for his demise
and that although he may have made mil
lions during the past few months. he earn
ed them at the sacrifice of his life.
Mr.. Flowers career estimated by ordi-
nary standards, was an eminently success
fu! one. His early training was in a rug
sed school, but he gradually overcame the
obstacles of poverty and made his way
from the farm to Wall Street. 1t is as a
financier, and not as a politician. that he
will be chiefly remembered. While only
one of many factors in the market. and
while in no sense approximating the posi-
tion which Jay Gould carved out for
himself he was nevertheless one of the
most conspicuous figures that the Ameri-
can financial world has produced in recent
times. He gained millions, lost them, and
made them again, and throughout all his
for integrity that cannot be too highly
praised. He combined the elements of cour-
age and sagacity with a spirit Of big heart
edness and geniality that accounted in no
small degree for his great popularity.
His political career began in 1881, when
he defeated William Waldorf Astor, his
Republican competitor, in a race for Con-
gress. As Congressman he did not
achieve any special prominence, nor is it
apparent that he tried to do so. Having
declined the nomination for the New York
Lieutenant Governorship in 1885. and hav-
ing served as Chairman of the Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee in
1890 he was nominated for the Governor
ship of New York in 1891, and was elect
ed over his Republican opponent J. Sloat
Fassett, whose boyish campaign will al
ways be recalled as one of the most hum
orous incidents in New York politics. Mr..
Flower was not a distinguished Governor,
nor did he rise above the level of a
mediocre one. His appointment of Isaac
II. Maynard as an Associate Judge of the
Court of Appeals justly subjected him to
the stern criticism of all classes of citi-
zens irrespective of party, for Maynard had
been accused and virtually convicted of
stealing the election returns of Duchess
county from the Comptrollers Office in AL
bany. on December %. 1891, thereby chang
ing the vote for State Seaatorship. The
elevation of Maynard to the Appeals bench.
under these circumstances, was an affront
TO the decency of the State, and practically
put an end to Mr.. Flowers career in poll
tics. Nevertheless his administration as
Governor was not devoid of creditable
features.
When the Buffalo railway strikers re-
sorted to violence in order to win their
fight and commenced to burn cars and de-
stroy property generally, Mr.. Flower sent
nearly the whole State militia to the scene
of rioting: did so promptly, and in splendid
defiance of the .socialstic and communistic
elements which denounced his action. Then
again. his purchase of the Fire Island Ho-
tel with his own money when the cholera
alarm was at its height. attested public
spirit and a sense of appreciation of re-
sponsbility in an emergency. that earned
for him no little admiration.
On the private side OF life Mr.. Flower
was singularly happy and fortunate. He
was naturally OF cheerful disposition.
and took a rosy view of affairs. no matter
what the obstacles in his way. OF his
means he gave literally to charitable and
benevolent enterprises. and no man could
have been more free from ostentation in
the giving than was he. There ID no doubt