Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-02
ANDY HAMILTON DEAD
Former "YelloW Dog" Fund Gus.
todian Expires In Albany.
THE END COMES SUDDENLY.

Agent Of insurance Company Defended
Mccall and Turned Tables on Treas
urer Of Republican National Commit
tee by Showing $75ooo Voucher.
Albany. March 2.-The picturesque
career of man whose influence had
been felt in legislation in this state
and in many other states for many
years was ended when Judge" Andy
Hamilton died in his home in this city.
Death was due to heart failure, and he
was found dead in bed by one of the
servants.
The news of Hamilton's death there
fore came as great shock to those
who knew him. An autopsy was per
formed on his body, and the coroner's
physician found there had been acute
dilation of the heart, which had caused
practically instantaneous death.
Before the investigation by the Arm
strong committee Hamilton had repre-
sented the New York Life Insurance
company in Albany. He was custo-
dian of the '.yellow dog fund, and his
name figured prominently in the inves-
tigation. On the plea of i'll health he
remained out of the country through
out the entire investigation, and it was
not until it was over that he returned.
He came back. he said, to face his ac-
cusers and to clear the name of his
friend, John A. Mccall, former presi-
dent of the New York Life.
Hamilton was incensed at many
the directors of the company, These
men when the revelations in regard to
the yellow dog fund were made be-
came virtuously indignant and denied
that they had known that their COM
pany had paid out money for the pur-
pose of influencing insurance legisla-
ton. Whatever wrong had been done
they blamed on Mccall, and he died
Of broken heart.
That Hamilton should strike out
boldly and defend Mccall was charac-
teristic of him, his friends said. He
appeared before the legislative COM
mittee that had charge of the new in
surance bills and scornfully criticised
the manner in which the insurance in
terests of the country had been han
died during his absence. He laughed
at denial that had been made by Cor
nelius n. Bliss that he had received
from the New York Life Insurance
company $4,000 for the use of the
Republican national committee in the
campaign OF 1896. and he showed the
voucher for the money with Bliss sig
nature on 1t
Rumors We're spread that In return
for a promise Of immunity from prose-
cution Hamilton had made sensational
revelations in regard to the distribu.
tion Of the yellow dog" fund and that
District Attorney Jerome would pre-
sent the evidence to the grand jury
The rumor proved without foundation.
however. Hamilton contented himself
with denouncing by name the direct
ors Of the New York Life who had
eyaded responsibility for acts which
had been criticised and who had per-
mitted the blame for the acts to fall
on him and on Mccall.
s Andrew Hamilton was almost fifty
four years old. He was born In Ian
singburg, now part Of Troy, on April
20. 1854, and he entered politics al
most as soon as he was old enough to
vote. He was twice elected a Judge Of
the Albany city court. and he also was
district attorney Of Albany county He
was regarded as brilliant lawyer.
and he became known widely as an
authority on corporation law.
The case that won for him the entire
confidence of Mccall was one in which
the court Of appeals sustained his con
tention that a pension contract made
between William II. Beers, former
president of the New York Life. and
the insurance company, whereby the
company agreed TO pay him a pension
Of S37.500 year was invalid and
against public policy. After Hamilton
won this case he guided most of the
important litigation Of the New York
Life and other big insurance compa.
nies in this country and in Europe.
wherever the insurance interests
we're threatened there Hamilton went
or sent his representatives. He was
successful in most Of the efforts TO de
feat hostile Legislation and that he
spent money lavishly was shown by
the hooks of the New York Life In
surance company. The yellow dog
fund OF this single company was more
than Sl.OOO.O00 when Charles r.
Hughes. then counsel for the Arm
strong committee. brought the fund TO
light.
Hamilton left mother aud three
daughters. one of whom is Mrs James
Cox Brady Of New York, daughter-in
law Of ApthanV y Brady