Year: 1859

The following sketch of the early career of
Senator Brodcrick is from the Times and Trans
cript of January, 1852.


The Hon. David c. Broderick is native of Wash
;noton d. c. where he was born on the 4th of Feb
mary. 1890 In the year 1925, his family removed
to New York. but there his parents died before he
arrived at manhood, leaving to his care younger
brother, who became then the only relative ne had
an Garth In 1874, that brother perished with sew
eral Young playmates, by the chance explosion OF
an old bombshel at an iron foundry; and MIR. Brod-
erick was left without tie of blood. Like Logan,
he was the last of his race. His temperament,
which had been ardent and cheerful became sadden-
ed bv this disaster and it soon assumed the serious
and steady for which it has been characterized
in California.


Mr.. Broderick entered politics at very early pc
riod of life Before he arrived at manhood he mas
tered its nricaces he had presided at conventions,
and his Judgment frequently governed the move
ments of campaign. Withal, he preserved high
tone and correct demeanor; and 1t yet remains for
the first imputaton to be put upon his honor, even
in the way of partisan device. The district of his
residence was the Ninth Ward of the city of New
York, and his name is still the watchword there for
the most vigorous rallies of his party Strong ma
lures make strong impressions, and though years
have elapsed since he bade that place farewell, the
leading politicians of New York gather every win
! ter to do him honor, at festival known as the
! BrOdeyick Ball. There others, perhaps, who
recoect him ardenty in another sense; but it is
not every political opponent who is entitled to the
compliment of long attention, and it is sometimes
proof of merit to be well hated.


] In l845 Mr. Broderick was elected by his district
to preside in convention for the formation of new
charter for the city of New York, and did himself
great credit for the liberal current of his views, for
the ardor with which he advocated and the frmness
with which he adhered to them. In lS47 he was re-
warded for his services in that body by nomination
to the Congress of the United States, but was de-
featcd by small majority split organization
against him by the barn-burnerS, with whom he re-
fused to compromise or coalesce. In l849 he was
Tenominated to Congress, but declined to run; and
in the spring of the following year, in accordance
with the views which inspired that declnatOn, sail
ed for California. During his entire career in New
York his position was always one of influence, and
the vgor and steadiness with which he pursued his
sims made him powerful auxiliary and invaluable
friend.


The career of Mr. Broderick in California is
known to most of our readers. Immediately on his
arrival in this city he took leading partin politics
and in the spring of 1850 was unanimously elected
to represent San Francisco in the Senate of the
State He was returned to that body again in 1851
by a majority of 39l-though the city governed
in other respects by Wing majority-and on the res
! ignation of Gov. Burnett, he chosen as Presi-
dent of the Senate by almost unanimous vote OF
his feow-members of both parties He left the
Senate with the universal respect of that body and
it is an extraordinary fact that during the period he
presided in the difficult and responsible position OF
its first officer not one of his decisions reversed
From the date of his first election to the expiration
of his last term his name is inseparably connected
with the history of the State.