New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-15

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THOMAS SMITH,
Mental Congress BY t-i Burton Ava Konkie With
an Introduction by the Hon H L. Carson syo.
pp 32- Campion & Co.
Thomas Smith was a typical figure in the days
that brought the young republic into self-assert-
i've being and as such he deserves to be re-
membered. A less ponderous memorial than
this volume might be more welcome to the gen.
eral reader but as material for future historians
it's careful chapters and masses of footnotes are
to be commended.
Smith was a Scotchman. born in the bitter
year of 40. the son of a family of gentle de-
scent and some learning. His elder half brother.
William Smith, had been graduated at Aber-
deem and had tested fortune in America. and by
the time the boy had reached his thirteenth
year this enterprising William had become the
first Provost of the energetic little College OF
Philadelphia, the University OF Pennsyl-
vania. The elder fond of the clever youth
and gave much attention. it is evident, to his
education, and when Thomas was twenty-three
he Joined the Provost in Pennsylvania The year
was 176S one in which the province was busy in
defining it's boundaries and organizing counties
and townships Here was work in surveying.
for which the young man was we'll fitted. and
canny Brother William promptly procured pO-
sition for him. He distinguished himself in this.
he did after in practice as a lawyer.
and he presently held many county offices
that his biOgrapher observes that he seems to
have absorbed large part Of the government
of Bedford County" He was esteemed as 4
young person of high character. serious views
and intense industry and his knowledge of land
law made him particularly valuable officer.
These early years admirably prepared him for
the more exacting labOrs that were to come with
the opening of the Revolution AS a mem
Der OF the Pennsylvania Assembly he showed
a conservative and constructive wisdom. of
which the projectors of the Constitutional
Convention were eager to avail themselves
The grave young Scotchman expressed strong
opinions in regard to some fellow members OF
that Pennsylvania Convention who were totally
| unacquainted with the principles of govern
| ment-" 1T is not only he adds. that their
| notions are original. but they would so to the
devil for popularity and. in order TO acquire it.
| they have embraced dwelling principles. which
you know is a fine method Of succeeding" Writ
ing again to General St. Clair he wakes satiricaI
| over what he declares seems to be- the principle
Of the convention. that education perverts the
| understanding. eradicates common honesty and
has been productive of all the evils that have
| happened in the world" He was with the mi
nority on many OF the debatabIe clauses OF this
new Pennsylvania Constitution. and found HIM
self more or less unpopular with the conquerors
at the close OF the convention.
As the Revolution went on Smith became ex-
tremely useful in the Office of Assistant Deputy
Quartermaster General. interspersing his Iabors
in collecting supplies with conscientious services
| IN the Assembly. He was sent as a strong Con-
| sentative to the Congress OF 17S1 and at the
end OF the session retired TO his law practice
He had taken young wife. concerning whom,