New-York tribune., 1902-05-22

He spent the winter at Torquay. and about three
weeks ago removed TO Brixham, where he had
another stroke of apopexy Saturday.
Mr.. Godkin born in Moyne, County Wick
low. on October > 1881. He graduated from
Queens College in 1851. From 1854 to 1856 he was
correspondent for THE London News in the
Crimean War in Turkey and Russia He was in
SebastopoI when the place taken.
In the autumn of 1856 Mr. Godkln came to this
country and made a trip on horseback through the
South. recording his observations in letters to the
London News
After studying law in this city under David Dud-
ley Field Mr.. Godkn admitted To the bar IN
1S59 but cut short his practice on account OF Ill
health. and returned to Englard
He came back New-York in 1862, and was cor
respondent for The London Daily News and an
editorial writer The New-York Times until
1860 Then he joined in establishing 'Ihe Natl"n
became its editor and later part owner.
I'm 1851 The Nation became the weekly edition
Of The Evening Post" and Mr.. Godkin took the
editorship of both. and attained part proprietor
ship. In 1898 ne retired from The Post and had
since refrancd from active work, although occa-
sionaIIy contributing 10 the columns OF his Old
naper on giving up regular editorial work he pub
Iished In The Post n collection OF "reminiscences
of men and affairs covering period OF forty years
When th,. reform administration under Mayor
Strong displaced Tammany in 1895 Mr. Godkin was
appointed to the municipal civil Service Commits
sion. but rssisred after % , 6rei sffrXWceA ., Mr.
CaIkrI in 1871 and oxford gave him the degree of
u g. l. In 1891 lie was the author of The History
PcridJ Io irc Clos" Of the Late War. Govern
ment. in the Anercan Science series mems
up OF essays for The Nation. and Unforeseen
NIT 5;odkt9 was twice married his first wife hav-
ing been Frances r. Foote ana ms 5fcohd f "iIs "n
son. Lawrence Godkin. LAWYER OF TINS flty MT, MT:
chS Ci%fEn and his city home was at No So West
Teat6-st.
for influential
figure In American journalism. As Editor first OF
The Nation and then of The New-fork Evening
POST he made himself fore" TO be- reckoned with
~, all important questions OF American life and
,o,,,tcs he was a man Of strong character and
bi,h ideals with passion for setting things right
according to his own theories of government and
poltttcal economy. ami ne MAS sincerely devoted 10
role,nr The standard OF individual and political
-.li,, and rrouotlng what ne regarded the
c,,,ae ~ Justice and civilization. But he was mar
row in his sympathies and intolerant In his opin-
ions He could not understand how men could
honestly differ from him on any moral question.
and hts strong reforming instinct led him regard
almost all questions OF policy as moral questions.
and All rorsous who did not agree with him as
enemies OF the llht As he could not DO justice
10 an opporeut: h generally made II difficult for
opponcnts TO DO Justice hr. but they often paid
him the tribute caring tor what ne saba tribute
as hgh as It IS In day OF sensational news
paper faultndlng which the public and the persons
attacked treat for the most part with more less
indiff, renee and contempt. II would be- uncandid
however to ignore the occasional and wide feeling
about his frequent editorial sins once expressed
by n prominent statesman of Mr.. Godkin's political
faith over hts own signature: Il DO not a rap
what that PAPER Gh"n under Mr. Godkin'S editor
ship says about me-. because do not think it tries
10 tell the truth. or is capable ot it
Mr.. Ciodkir Of high culture and pos
sessed OF a peculiarly trenchant style. He a
OF aIlision and had gift for epithet which
raised the habit of calling names in controversy
70 a fine art. Ills best aptitude was for treating
important subjects In light and pithy editorial
paragraphs but he also had capacity
sayist. and discussed at length subjects OF per-
mauent interest with charm and power. If with
somewhat limited insight. Mr.. Godkn a dis
ciple Of Bentham and Mill, a native of Ireland
who was intellectually an Englishman of the old
fashioned Lberal-so-called Little England
school; and though he became an American citizen