New-York tribune., 1922-09-25
Eloll II. Brown
Falls Dead ON
A Duck Hunt
Former Republican State
Senate Leader Expires
of Heart Disease in
Boat ON Lake Ontario
Watertown Politician Was
Foe of Woman's Suffrage;
Led Tax Inquiry Here
ptspntch to The rriauns


WATERTOWN,, N. Y, Sept. "a
Elon r. Brown, former majority leader
OF the state Senate, died at o'clock
'hls afternoon in hunting tub while
a1ter ducks near his private preserve,
FOX Island, in Lake Ontario.
In another boat was one of the vet
eran Republican leaders gamekeepers,
Richard Compo, who saw the former
senate leader let 60 his hold on his
shotgun and topple over the side of
'he ooat. Compo, who was in a large
fowboat, pulled quickly to his employ
ers aid, lifted him into his boat and
rowed ashore, where it was found that
senator Brown was dead. Physicians
said his death was instantaneous from
heart disease.
Senator Brown was sixty-fve years
old. He was born in Orleans, Jefferson
County, and lived there continuously
he graduated from Brown University
IN 1878. Two years later he was ad-
mitted to the bar, and began to practice
law in Watertown. He entered poll
tics before his admission to the bar
In 1894 he was elected to the State
constitutional Convention. He served
IN the State Senate from 1894 to 1904 in
elusive. He retired from legislative
activities until 1918, when on being
returned to the Senate he was elected
Republican leader. He acted as leader
until his retirement in 1918 The then
Governor Charles S. Whitman, who
feared Brown as possible rival, with
the aid of William Il. Anderson, of the
Antl-Saloon League, was responsible
for Senator Browns retirement.
Senator Brown was one of the most
picturesque figures in politics. While
in the Legislature he was its domi-
nant personality. In appearance and
IN manner he was very pleasing, and
was redolent Of the older school Of pol
itics. He was avowedly anti-suffrage,
and when the suffrage amendment went
through the Senate he absented him
self from its proceedings, although the
majority leader.
He was a strong believer in the
individual taking care Of himself, and
carried this belief to extremes in his
attitude on legislation.
He was counsel to the Mills Taxation
Committee, which investigated the
finances Of New York City in 1914, and
when the Meyer Investigating Commit
tee was appointed he was made its
chief counsel and served without pay.
Senator Brown is survived by his
widow, one son, Philip, and two daugh-
ters, Mrs. Johnson Johnston, Of St.
Louis, and Mrs. Walter Brown, of New
York City.
ALBANY, Sept. 24.-The death of
former Senator Brown brought express
sions Of sorrow from Governor Miller
H. Edmond Machold, speaker Of the
Assembly; George A. GlYnn, chairman
of the Republican State Committee,
and other state officials and Republi-
can leaders, who had expected Mr..
Brown to arrive here at any hour for
the preliminary conferences Of the Re-
publican state convention, which will
convene Wednesday.
Governor Miller said:
Senator Brown was fearless, able
and public spirited man. His great
talents we're always at the call of pub
lie duty. He was loyal friend, de-
lightful companion, powerful force in
any cause in which he enlisted. He
had distinguished career Of public
service and had attained great emf
nence in his profession. His sudden
death is an irreparable loss and an in
expressible shock to me-"
State Chairman Glynn said:
Senator Brown was man Of stanch
Republicanism, the most companion
able Of men in politics, with host of
friends and admirers. He will be
greatly missed in the councils of the
Republican party"