New-York tribune., 1919-02-28
George F. Edmunds,
Once u. S. Senator
From Vermont. Dies
Twice Sought Republican
Nomination for Presi-
dency; Was Co-Author of
Antitrust Law; Age 81

PASADENA, Cal, Feb. 27.-George
F. Edmunds, former United States SEN
ator from Vermont, died here to-day
following q long illness. He was nine
ty-one years old.
Former Senator George F. Edmunds
was born in Vermont He was edu-
Gated in the public schools Of Rich
a course in law was admitted to the
bar He was elected to the state Leg
lslature when twentysiX years of age
and retained his seat during five con-
secutive terms, during one of which he
served as speaker of the House. At
the outbreak of the Civil War he was
temporary presiding officer in the Yer
mont Senate.
In 1885 United States Senator Foote
died and Mr. Edmunds was appointed
his successor. He remained in the Sem
ate until 1891. He was twice cand-
date for the Republican, nomination for
the Presidency, receiving thirtyfour
votes in the convention of 1880 and
ninety-three votes in the convention
of 1884. He was the author of many
important laws, including the Edmunds
act Tor the suppression of polygamy in
Utah and the disfranchisement of those
who practise it. He was also part
author of the antitrust law of 1890.
Mr.. Edmunds played a prominent
part IN the impeachment proceedings
against President Johnson in the Sen
ate.
His achievements in originating the
Electoral Commission act, through
which Mr.. Tilden was shelved and Mr..
Hayes was seated in the White House,
won for him great party prestige, and
1T is curious testimony to his cour-
age and ability that while no other
man had so much to do with the great
settlement Of 1876, no other man on
the Republican, side, who had any
share in it at all, was so little abused
by his political opponents.
One of the greatest public services
rendered by Mr.. Edmunds was the Pa
ciic Railroad funding act, originated
and carried through the Senate by him
self, against much opposition in the
Senate. BY this act millions of dol
lars were saved to the government and
the relations of the Pacific railroads to
the government definitely established.
AS Senator Mr.. Edmunds was noted
for his strict adherence to all the rules
of the Senate. He was great stickler
for privacy in the proceedings of COM
mlttees, and to a correspondent who
once had the temerity to ask him for
some information about what was
going on in the judiciary Committee he
replied: "You must understand, sir,
that there is one committee of the
Senate which observes all the propri-
cites"
When the crisis between the United
States and Germany was brewing for
mer Senator Edmunds wrote from his
retirement in California letter to
President Wilson, in which ne demand
ed action by the United States. What
may be regarded as perhaps his last
political controversy was that with
former Secretary Of State Richard
Olney, when the latter defended the
neutrality policy Of President Wilson.
Mr.. Edmunds in a letter dated October
10, 1916, cited the attitude of President
Cleveland in dealing with foreign ma
tions, and asserted that Americas 3 policy
toward Germany should be regarded
mot as a matter of danger of warfare
but of honor"