The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-10-30
EX- GOVERNOR HARRISON.
PASSED AWAY YESTERDAY ATHIS
 RESIDENCE.
A Sketch of His Eminent Career-Hts EmtnenCe at the Bar-Dtstinsulshed h ed Services to His State-His High Char acter and Usefulness,


 actcr and Usefulness,
 One of Connecticuts most distin- guished sons passed away yesterday in the death of our honored townsman, ex-Governor Henry Baldwin Harrison, q man of the highest integrity, of noble qualities of head and heart, man whose life and character were ire proachable and who inspired as he well merlted, the highest respect of the pulp nc. His death occurred shortly after noon at his residence on Crown street, Where for many years he had resided. For some little time his declining health had been apparent and owing to his four score years little hope of his recovery had been entertained. He spent the summer in Vermont, as usual, with his sister, Miss Sarah B.. Harrison, returning about two weeks ago, since which he had failed rapidly. He had been for half a century a prom inent figure in state life in many phases, including the law, politics, re- llglon. as layman, and public ques- tions of all kinds. He was firm in his convictions, strong for the right, de- voted to high ideals and characterized by great earnestness and force in his public addresses.
 The deceased was a native of New Haven, born September Il, 1921 He was born six days earlier than his life long friend, our distinguished towns man, ex-Governor Charles R. Inger- soil, also eminent as jurist also a native of New Haven, and who also has served the state as governor. Ex- Governor Harrison prepared for col lege at the Lancasterian school, under John D. Lowell, and was also an in- structor in that school while continu- ing his studies preparatory for Yale college. He graduated as the valedic- torian of the class of 1S46. He studied law in the Yale Law school and in the office of Lucius G. Peck and was ad- mitted to the bar in 184S. From that time he devoted himself to the prac- tice of the law almost exclusively, until his retirement in 1877. He gained distinction in his profession almost immediately after he came to the bar. His defense in 1855 of Willard Clark, charged with murder, and whose ac- quittal he secured on the ground of insanity, added greatly to his repu- tation, and he took his place in the front rank of the distinguished law yers then comprising the New Haven bar. Later his argument before the railroad committee on the petition of the Shore Line Railway company for power to bridge the Connecticut river made profound impression by it's eloquence, it's logic and powerful sum- mary of the facts. One of the most noted cases was the great insurance case in which the insurance company which built the Insurance building in this city was at stake. Tn this he was pitted against the late Colonel Dexter R. Wright. '&
 As lawyer he excelled by the thor ough preparation of his cases and the forcible presentation of them to the court His intense earnestness and his concise and exact language expressed with unusual vigor, gave great effect to what he said. His addresses on ceremonial occasions were graceful and eloquent and models for that kind of oratory. Among them may be men, toned, his address on the unveiling of the statue of Governor Buckingham; his speech for Connecticut at Gettys- burg; the eulogy of Governor Baldwin, on Foster and .Howarth, and especially his address at the last meeting of the pupils of MT. Lowell
 He took a deep interest in public af fairs and in politics was a whig, and a republican when that party was formed. He was elected to the state senate by the whig party in 1854, where he framed the personal liberty bill which tended to nullify the fugitive slave law in Connecticut. He was prominent in the organization of the republican party in the winter of 1S55-6 and in the spring of '56 was it's candi date for lieutenant governor. In 1865 he was elected to the house of repre- sentatives from New Haven and was chairman of the railroad committee and of that on federal relations. In the same session he won distinguished honor by a speech in favor of amend ing the state constitution by erasing the word white from the eighth amendment and thus opening the bal lot box to the colored man.
 In 1873 he was again a representa- tive from New Haven in the legisla- ture and was member of the judiciary committed In 1874 he was candidate for governor upon the republican ticket He was also chairman of the committee on the constitutional con- vention. Again in 1883 he was chosen by New Haven as a representative and was elected speaker of the house, over which he presided with marked abil- ity.
 Tn 1878 he was strong compromise candidate before the republican caucus for United States senator at the legis- latiye session when o. H. Platt of Meriden was first chosen. In 1884 he was chosen governor of the state, the opposing candidate at that time being ex- Governor Thomas M. Waller of New London, his immediate predeces- sor in the office of governor. Governor Harrison filled the office for two years with great dignity and ability. Since that time he had lived in retirement, taking part occasionally in public meetings.
 He was a member of the Yale cor from 1872 until 1887 and in