The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-04-25
NOTED POLITICIAN,
GEN. BRADY, DEAD
Once Friend of Blaine and
Dorsey.
WELL KNOWN IN THIS CITY
Was Second Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral-Csreer Blighted by Star
Route Scandal.
WELL KNOWN IN THIS CITY

Friends Of General Thomas Jefferson
Brady have learned with sorrow of his
death from pneumonia at the Jersey
City Hospital Saturday. From 1876 to
1851 he was an Assistant Postmaster
General. and while a resident of the city
was widely known here.
General Brady was at one time owner
and editor Of the National Republican"
the Washington Hatchet," and the
Evening Critic" He was a brother of
the late Capt. William Brady, a promi-
nent Washington correspondent. He is
survived by widow.
The funeral was held yesterday, and
was conducted by the G. Van Houten
Post, No. 3. G. A. r., Of which General
Brady was commander.
Prominent at Close of War
General Brady died TO most of the
present generation unknown. but re-
membered by older men as one of the
most prominent OF those politicians who
came into nOtOriety during the days
Of reconstruction"
1t was only a little more than two
decades ago that he was regarded as
Presidential possibility. His war rec
ord had been cOmmendable But just
at the moment when he appeared to
have the brightest Of futures it was
blasted by the Star Route" scandals.
From a position Of power and great
wealth General Brady fell to obscurity.
poverty. and political weakness. His
friends. whom in the day of his pros
perity he numbered by the thousand,
deserted him, and for many years he
lived the life OF a recluse on a small
farm in WestmOreland county, Virginia.
Bitter Against Friends.
His nature became embittered. He
hated the public that had proved so
tickle. and he denounced the politicians
who had failed him in his time of need.
The late James G. Blaine and former
Senator Stephen Dorsey, who had been
his closest friends. were the particular
objects of his hatred. He prepared a
book which he planned TO have publish
ed after his death. Had II appeared
fifteen years ago il would have created
a national sensation.
General Brady threatened TO make
Ills disclosures in 1886, but he was per-
suaded not to do SO by the late Robert
G. IngersQn. one Of the few for whom
he retained friendship.
Enlisted with a regiment of volunteers
from Indiana in 1861, Thomas T. Brady's
promotions were rapid. In 1868 he was
major of the 10th Indiana Volunteers.
q little later became colonel Of the
10th Indiana Volunteers. and at the
close OF the war was breVetIed major
general
Popular Veteran.
In his home State he was one Of the
most popular survivors Of the civil war,
and for twenty years there was no Of
fee In the gift Of the people that In
diana would not have given TO him. He
was an astute politician, and he num-
bered among his personal friends the
greatest men in the Republican party.
When excitement was the highest as a
result OF the campaign Of 1876 General
Brady entered into the scheme TO have
General Hayes declared elected Presl-
dent and IL was to his work as much
as 70 that OF any other one man that
the Presidency was lost 10 Samuel ].
Tilden.
Early In the Administration of Presi-
dent. Hayes General Brady was made
Second Assistant Postmaster General
He was hand in glove with Stephen
Dorsey. and he was also close TO James
@. Blaine. who was then planning night
and day 10 have himself elected Presi-
dent. General Brady was popular and
ne was often spoken Of as Presidential
possibility.
Carried His State.
When the Republican scare occurred
late in the campaign OF 1856 Brady was
turned 70 as the one man who could
save Indiana, which was then believed
10 be pivotal State. Brady associated
with himself Dorsey and John c. New,
and Indiana was carried for Garfield.
II was following that election that the
storm broke as a result OF the frauds
IN the POstOffice Department. The Star
Route scandal hit Dorsey, Brady. and
Blaine. with others Many succeeded in
escaping by passing blame along 70
Others. II was always the contention
OF Brady that Blaine and Dorsey ma
ngned him and compelled him 10 assume
blame for their own misdeeds President
Gdrnelc drove him rom the PostOffice
Department, and Federal grand Jury
found several indictments against him
Ingersou, Shellabarger, and insolvency
defended General Brady. who was ac-
quilted at the second trial He never
made an attempt 10 retrieve his posi-
ton IN politics.
He was about siXty-five years old at
the time Of his death.