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

Ashbel Parmelee Fitch came from stock that
did not spare Itself lighting the battles OF Ameri
can independence. He was descended from Thomas
Fitch. OF Hralutree, the county OF Essex Eng
land. who. upon the death Or his father. came
20 America with his mother and brothers in las
Thomas Fitch had a son. the Rev JabeE Fitch
that truly reverend man, as be Is described in the
inscription in the odd huryiug ground al Lebanon
Conn The Rev Ja5ez Fitch married Priscilla, the
daughter ~ Major John Mason who commanded
the calonists ia the Pequot War Jabez Fitch.
descendant served with distinction ia the War O
the Revolution and has SON. ur Jab-z Fitch. was
on The medical stan iu the War " Ist2- Edward
mo last mentioned Jagaz fI.f ami ,ratS 81, a., S'
being partner az * Governor Mvrur IL CLARK
ana ven known sor his ability not only as a lawyer
ward Fi;eh married Fanny Farme.re. the daughter
tionary ancestry. Her grandfather. simeon Parms-
and H. H. ~ 80 - - -, H.. ~, Z eilLI IL,
afterwart a Commissioned officer IN the War OF
Isie 5r T 5 r hltst 800 , "a me AZ %
Born IN Mpoers. clinton County. " T.. on October
$ is4s and named Cor his mothers father III.
- " - 10 -i'F S.l He'. a clli4- ne
attended ut I-oH. SCHOOLS OK me city ana then
was pupl. Tor A -ew wears az Wi.iiston Seminary.
- 30 10. s.,I ~ r,-,--tti IsIiI. 10
In lsts. when b" was tweutv-oue years old, ne
he became counsel FOR many corporations and the
legal adviser or some of the leading mercantile
In 1854 he received the Republican nomination for
Congress iu the NIIIth District. bar he declined
~ on ~ '-l. - t VS. No. AZ l4'' - iiia,..y
with ne HrpuoL,an doctrine OF hlgh protection
in lsss General f. t. N.ele. Democrat who be
nomination "a opposition To- him was offered 10 Mr.
Fitch. who was elected. becoming a member Ok the
assigned TO the committees on Military AraiIs and
were looked upon high compliment He helped
in the formation OF the Army Appropriation bill. in
the establishment ot me government gun factory AT
Watervet, y y ana IN the development OF the
West Point Military Academy. His action in voting
for the Mills Tariff bin took him out OF the ranks
In the following election he was reelected TO
Coneress on the committee on Foreign Arairs and
an active part In the contest for international
enactment Of the Ship subsidy bill He also took
prominent part IN the hsht against the Mckinley
silver question. He was always sighting for sound
He was particuiarly Opposed to free coinage In
the List CONGRESS he introduced resolution on
chairman Of committee to investigate the opera
In 1880 he was again returned 70 Congress as a
Democrat and In 1899 he was once more elected
In the latter Congress ne served on several i'm
portant committee au1 was prominent in the de-
bate Tor the reI'lt OF me 9uf ~ sl7' ~ -
gress ended. he was elected Controller OF this
me candidate Of -raruuanv Hail Mr. Fitch
was elected with a large plurality but his indie
pendent course in the Controllers office did not
please Richard Croker and other Tammany leaders
and he was not renominated in 1897 by the Demo-
Gratis. He was nominated by the Republicans. how
ever and by other fusion forces. while the Demo
crafts nominated Bird : Golfer In spite OF hts
popularity and the esteem in which his adninstra-
ton q the ContFoilershtp was held by .New-f ork
business men Controller Fitch swept out Qt
Office bv the Tammauy tidal wave and returned
10 che practice OF his profession. The business
ability which he had developed. however. was OF
such a Quality that when influential New-Y Workers
organfzed n new trust company they prevailed on
the ex Con trOIler to the presidency or It
Mr. Fitch in social life was popular. and his
cheerfulness and fund OF humor endeared MIN 70
hts friends He belonged 10 the New England so
oterv the Metropolitan St Nicholas Arton and
Tiederlyranz clubs the German University stu
denrs' Tfnion aud 20 the Sons OF the Revolution.