The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-10
E. j. PHELPS is DEAD
MINISTER TO ENGLAND
PASSED AWAY AT NEW HAVEN.
Succumbed to Weakness Following an
Attack of Pneumonia-His Long
and Honorable Career.

NEW HAVEN, Conn, March 9.-The
Hon. E. j. Phelps, former minister to Eng
land, died at his home in this city late
this afternoon, after an illness of about
two months. The end was peaceful. and for
several hours before he passed away he
was unconscious. There's were present at
the bedside the wife and son, Charles
Phelps, Of Boston, and daughter, Mrs.
Horatio Loomis, of New York. and his
physician.
Though Prof. Phelps recovered from his
recent pneumonia attack, he was so weak
ened that he was unable TO REGAIN vitality.
1t had been hoped that he might recover
until a few days ago. when it was apparent
that his strength had so failed that it was
but a matter of hours when death would
come.
Battell Chapel, Sunday afternoon at 8
o'clock. The body will be taken to Bur-
lington, VT, for interment.
Edward J. Phelps was born at Middle
bury, VT, July IL, 1872. He was a son of
the late Samuel 8. Phelps. who was a pay
master in the war of 1872, a judge of the
Supreme Court of Vermont and a United
States senator. After receiving careful
PREPARATION, Mr.. Phelps became a student
at Middlebury College. where he was grad
uated. He then read law and was admit
tea to the bar. His earliest practice was
in New York city, from whence he re-
moved. in 1866, to Burlington, VT, n began
business in that city. He soon built up
a large practice, and was recognized as one
of the leading lawyers in his State. His
professional successes include engage
ments in other commonwealth than Yer
mont, and frequent appearances before the
United States Supreme Court. He was long
counsel for the Panama Railroad Com
pany. For two successive terms he was
president of the Arperican Bar Association.
In 1881 he was elected Kent professor of
law in Yale College, and thus assumed
that which no man could better appreci-
ate, an influential position in the academic
end social circles of New Haven. His du-
ties at Yale comprised, additional to instruc-
ton given in the law school, lectures before
the theological department upon legal top
les of interest to the ministry, and to the
academic students upon international and
municipal law. He was exceedingly popu-
lar in the college, and his resignation in
1856, when he was appointed minister to
st. James by President Cleveland. caused
great regret. Up to the time of his cleo
ton 10 the 1ale prOleSSOrSnlp MT. fneipS
was one Of the leading representatives of
the Democracy in a State which is over
whelmingly Republican in its political
sentiment. He was a pro-slavery and anti
war Democrat when such views were vast
~ ~repugnant TO the majority Of his neigh
bors. In the campaign of 1876 he was
promised by Mr.. Tilden the position he
| accepted under Cleveland. in the event of
Democratic success. In June. 1850. Mr..
Phelps was nominated for Governor by
the largest State Democratic convention
ever held in that commonwealth. Every
vote cast was for the man who would GER
tainly bring out the largest possible Demo
cratic vote. AS a matter of course, he was
defeated in the ensuing campaign. On his
return from England Mr.. Phelps resumed
his practice In Burlington, and in 1880 was
the candidate of his party for United
States senator. In 1898 he was appointed
and served as one Of the counsel of the
United States in the Bering sea co~ntrover-
sy. on the conclusion OF this duty he was
again elected 10 the Kent law professor
ship at Yale. which he held until his death.
oliver Payson Hubbard, LII. ID.
NEW YORK. March 9.-Oliver Payson
Htshhard IT. n late nrofeaSor ~ oh.-