The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-07
JOHN SABINE SMITH DEAD.
New York Lawyer and Politician
Passes Away.

f'asseS Away.
NEW YORK, Nov John Sabine
Smith, lawyer and politician, died yester-
day from a complication of diseases after
an illness of about ten days He leaves
a widow, but no children. Mr. Smith was
born, at Randolph, Vt, ifty-seFen years
ago. ts
His ancestors were English, some of
whom were leaders in the settlement of
New England. Some of them served in
the Revolutionary war. His father was
for more than fifty years prominent ply
stefan, pracricing at Randolph. His
grandfather was the first white child born
at Windsor, VT. and his greatgrandfa-
tier was one of the founders of that
town.
Mr.. Smith was born at Randolph on
April "a, 1913 Being thrown upon his own
resources at IN early age, he was forced
TO gain an education through his own en-
ergies- After a preparatory course in
grammar school he, when sixteen years
old, went to Trinity College, Hartford,
and though compelled to spend much
time in working to pay his way, he was
-
his class. Then for five years he taught
school at Troy and at Throg's Neck, N.
Y, meanwhile studying law. In May.
1858, he was admitted to practice at the
bar of New York State, and then came to
this city to engage in his profession.
1t wa aot long before he became inter
ested in politics and entered the working
forces of he Republican party He Joined
the Young Mems Republican Club in 1879.
and when it was transformed into the Re
publican Club he remained one of It's lead
ing members. He was cRS Of the 0rganik-
ers Of the Republican League Of the tEited
States. and was actively concerned in the
first National Convention OF Republican
Clubs, held in New York in 1857. The fol-
lowing year he helped to make the State
League of Republican Clubs and also his
own Republican Club potent forces in the
local and National campaigns. In 1890 he
was the leader of the fight for a straight
Republican local ticket and the next year
saw him leading in the campaign to make
Mr.. Fassett Governor of the State.
His services TO the party in 1882 as Chair
man OF the Campaign Committee Of the
Republican Club were Of high order, and
were recognized by that club the EeXt year
in making him its president In 1892 he
ran for the office of surrogate in New York,
and though defeated polied the largest vote
ever before given for a straight candidate
of his party for any Office in tbis city The
year 1884 saw him a member of the COM
mittee of thirty which reoI ganiZed the Re-
publican party in this city and also an in
fiuential member Of the State C0Estitu-
tionaI Convention.
In 1888 Mr.. Smith was president of the
Republican County Committee and was
its treasurer when he died. He was for
several years d member of the Executive
Committee of the Republican S ate Com
mittee. For time he held the Repub-
Iican leadership in the Twenty -seye nth
Assembly district and he was known as
a devoted follower of Senator Piatt- In
1887 he WAS appointed by the appellate di-
vision of the Supreme Court enc CT three
commissioners to take testimony and de-
teFmiDe whether a system CT rap d tran
sit should be constructed by tbs city It
was decided that the road should be blilt.
and the report was confirmed by the
court.
In addition to his political activity AT.
Smith was che of the most diligent ard
Woodworking lawyers in the city
MIR Smith was a member of the Re
publican. University. Lawyers, Ch-rch.
and other clubs. also of the Bar Asso-
citation, and Of the Phi Beta Kappa fra
ternity. He was a member of Grace
Episcopal Church. He was a trustee Of
Trinity College. and did much to further
the welfare OF that institution For a
time he acted as treasurer of the East
Side House. He had also been president
of the Society of Medical Jurisprudence.
little more than a year ago he married
Miss Clara Sawyer, of Randolph Centre,
Vt who survives him, with his sister
and only other relative, Mrs. P. H Muir
ply, wife of ex-Assembiyman Murphy, Of
this city.