New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-28
JUDGE pECKHAMs LONG CAREER.
First Important Work Against the Tweed
Ring-AIways Stood for Reform.


Wheeler H Peckham. who died suddenly in his
oeace YESTERDAY. belonged TO a family long promi-
,,Ant IN legal circles His father, Rufus w. PECK
ham was district attorney of Albany county
served on the Supreme Court Bench ana was
elected a Judge OF the Court of Appeals. Ratus
W. Peckham held high place in the esteem Of
lawyers and of his associates. He became over
worked by close attention 10 his duties and IN
November 1873 he sailed for Europe on the III iaeo
Vile de Havre. The steamship met with disaster
On November q OF that year and Judge Peckham
WAS among the passengers who were lost. Wheeler
4 Peckharn's younger brother, Rufus ". Peckham.
is a justice Of the United States Supreme Court
Born in Albany January l, 1888, Wheeler n
peckharn received his early education in the schools
OF that city. He became student at Union Col
lege but poor health compelled him to give up his
course there. He travelled In Europe for lew
years and after he had recovered his health re-
turned TO this country and entered the Columbia
Law School from which he was graduated in 1854
The same year he was admitted TO the bar in this
State but he went to St. Paul, Mimi. to begin the
practice OF law remaining there until 1862 when he
came to this city and became member Of the law
firm of Miller Stoutenburgh & Peckham. In 1880
the firm became Miller. Peckham & Dixon, and
kept the name for a quarter OF a century, George
Naoculloch Miller being its head For years the
offices of the firm have been in the Union Trust
-ompany's building. at No. so Broadway
Mr Peckham first came into public prominence In
the prosecution of the Tweed ring. although some
years before that he had gained the confidence OF
the New-York bar. He was employed at first with
fSeneral Barlow by the Citizens Committee OF
seventy and afterward, toward the close OF 1871,
he was retained by Charles 'O'Conor to assist IN
the prosecution of Tweed, Sweeny, Connolly ana
other indicted members Of the ring. He appeared
IN all the proceedings beginning with the bringing
>. the action and the obtaining OF the orders OF
arrest He received much public commentator for
the mastery way in which he handled the cases.
and his persistence aroused favorable comment
throughout the State. He brought about the COM
ard hest
s,naar1nr IN the civil suits against Tweed and
sweeny.
Mr. peckbann was an intimate friend OF Samuel
J Tflden and he allied himself with Mr. Illden
politically He was lifelong Democrat, and for
time bs was q member Of Tammany Hall after the
organization had been purged OF the Tweed ring.
He did not seek Office but was acuFe IN REFORM
politics and in 1879 he became prominent as an m
dependent Democrat. opposed TO both IaInnaahy
Hall and the Hill Democracy. In 1910 ne was actlve
IN z commission favoring the restrictlon OF the
franchise to property owners, and he signed re-
port calling for an amendment to the state Con-
stitution that effect
N 1888 Mr.. Peckham was appointed oy governor
Cleveland to ill the unexpired term Of John NC
Keen as District Attorney of New-York County Dut
after short time IN the Office he resigned II on te
plea that his health would not permit him 10 con-
tinue in st. He was elected president OF the bar
Association in 1891 and was serving his third term
as president Of that organization when II became
interested in the fight against Isaac h. Maynaru'
Mr.. Peckham was an influential and eloquent
speaker against Judge Maynard IN the campaign
and his fight against the Democratic State machlhe
increased the ennity OF Senator Hill.
On January %, 1904. President Cleveland nominated
Mr. Peckhsm for Justice OF the United States SUI
prene Court, TO succeed Justice Blatchford- The
nomination was generally regarded as an act OF
retaliation against Senator Hill. who had brought
about the rejection by the Senate Of the nomination
Of William B. Hornblower OF this city, for the
Office. From the outset Mr. Pecknan's friends did
not have much hope that his nomination would be
confirmed by the Senate in the face Of Senator Hill
bitter opposition, although prominent Democrats OF
rnent on Mr.. Peckhams high character and ability.
AS was expected. Senator Hill was able 10 prevent
Mr. PeckhaTns confirmation. In the latter part or
1885, however Senator Hill permitted the conilrma-
f!ou OF Rufus W Peckham, Judge of the Court OF
Appeals in New-York State TO be Justice of the
United States Supreme Court 20 succeed Justice
Jackson.
the Committee OF Seventy in I891, aiding with his
eocuence on the stump IN the election Of the
fusion ticket Of which Mayor Strong was the head.
The iniduties Of the Tammany regime to which
public attention he'd been called by the LeXow Com
fnttee, were the topics of many of Mr. Peckham
speeches in the campaign, and his scorching
Esignment of Tanmeny leaders, coming from so
prominent Democrat, had much effect. MI. Peck
ham also supporter of Seth Low In his first
unsuccessful campaign and in his successful cam.
psign for Mayor Mr. Peckham mentioned
Union for a prominent office, but he discouraged
eff lie candidate,