The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-02-03
Prominent In Politics Of Empire State For
 30 Years
IN EARLY LIFE WAS < ADVOCATE OF TEMPERANCE
Recently Retired As President Of Eagles Was Foe Of
 Cleveland
Especial from United Press.)


 New York, Feb. 3.-State Senator Thomas F. Grady, former president of the National FraternaI Order of Eagles and for many years a power in Tammany Hall, died at his home in this city, today. He had been ill for several weeks.
 Ever since he was turned down ? by the Tammany organization and refused the office of president of the Etate Senate, although as long as the partv was in the minority he was ac- cia irned it's leader in the upper house of the legislature. Grady has been on the decline.
 His intinates insisted, today, that, although he was not noted for senti- ment, ''the ingratitude broke his heart Some weeks ago he was taken to a hospital but, yesterday knowing there was no hope. he de- manded that he be taken home to
 Grady was born in New York:
 Senator Grady married Florence Irwin. the actress, in 1887: It be- came known when she printed the following advertisement:
 ''To those whom it may concern: Be 1t known that I am the lawful wife of Thomas F. Grady, Mrs. Thom- as F. Grady, better known as Flor ence Irwin
 Grady obtained a divorce in 1902. He was always recognized as the best trough and tumble orator" in Tam, many Hall and when the boss had ''explaining'' to do, he was usually selected to do it.
 Senator Grady has been a pictures que figure in the politics of the city and State for more than a genera tion= He for years was the sSilver TOngued'' orator of Tammany Hall, and he knew all the tricks of political ora tory that win with the masses. He was born in the old Fourth ward in 1858 was educated in St. Mary's and St. James parochtal schools and was graduated from Manhattan College. Then he studied law, and on his sd- mission to the bar plunged into poIi- tics. His first political appointment was that of Census Enunerator in 1875 Two years afterward he was elected to the Assembly. In those days he was an ardent temperance advocate, and 1t was in expounding the evils of intemperance that he at tracted most attention as an orator. These principles he abandoned in af-
 Grady was returned to the Assem- bIy every year until 1881. when he was elected to the Senate. In the Senate he sssailed Grover Cleveland. then ssI will break the old man before I get through" He never made good on the pledge. but he never ceased in his Keiiy. the leader of Tammany Hall was appealed to by Cleveland to pre- vent Grady being returned to the Senate and he was induced To reLlre when his term ended.
 When Hugh J. Grant was elected Mayor he appointed Grady Police Justice He became the subject of a Grand Jury presep tment in 1893 be- cause he discharged eight women gen fenced to six months on Plackwell's Island by Justice Taintor. The Grand Jury found that, he had not violated
 Grady was Iegisla+ed out of. office in that year. and Richard Croker tried to make him the candidate for Dis trict Attorney. The opposition to Grady was so strong that Croker did not force the nomination. Grady bolt ed inc nomina ton of Cleveland flor President in 1884. 1888 and 1892. Tn 1898 he was returned to the Senate and has been reelected every two years since. aIthoueh he several times announced he would not be a candi- date aeain. He was the Democratic leader in the Senate.