Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-07-06
Robert e. CVanss0Is.

recommended by the Wing Convention AZ
one Of our candidates for Congress the free
men in other parts of the State, will not think
n intru.ivc in one " ho has been many years
inti,nntely acquainted with him, to give
short sketch Of his character aud past servi-
cea. Probably Mr.. Cranston may not be so,
generally known now as he formerly was in
public life: Bnt the people will not think the
less Of him for having never been ambitious
. Of political notOrl,iy.
!. In the year 1915, although then but a
! youth, he had already acquired so good a
character of assiduty and capabfuy in bnsl-
ness and for the correctness OF his conduct
! that the &. s. Collector 0f the Taxes and In
/ ternal Revenue, (the late Capt. Raymond
/ Perry, father OF the Coinnodore,) selected
! him for his Deputy Collector in this quarter
of the District; and. the Collector being in i'll
/ health, the whole duties of the office were
! performed by Mr.. Clanston until the death of
that officer in 1913, when upon the recon-
| mendation of Com Perry, and his conduct
having been approved of by the Government,
h" was appointed Collector by President
! Monroe, in the recess OF Congress, and was
afterwards nominated and his appointment
confirmed by the Senate. That office hav-
! ing expired, md tho business Of it soon after
| closed to the entire satisfaction Of the Co
! vorrment, tiattering prospects wore held ont
10 MIR. Cranston Of entering into business ei-
! thcr in New York or New Orleans. But he
submitted to the pcrsnnsions of many friends,
and the advice Of his particular friend. Com
| Perry, 10 remain at home and accept of the
| place of Sheriff of this county, to which he
was appointed by the General Assembly in
! 1913, without opposition. and without soclta-
| ton Of his part he having consented ~ his
nomination expressly upon the condition that
he should not be brought up in opposition TO
! any other candidate whatever. To that Of
| flee he was elected by the General Assembly
! ten years in succession, without opposition,
and resigned it in 1897 when he was appoint
! ed Postmaster for the town Of Newport. For
this last Office he was recommended by many
respectable men without anv distinction of
pary-among whom Gov. Fcnner was one.
| He remained Postmaster until 1888, when the
office was waDted 10 reward or to gain the
political services of another person, and his
connexions. Many secret attempts and
great efforts had 'or long time been making
| to effect this purpose. But the Post Office
| Department had found Mr. Cranston to be SO
! correct and valuable m officer. that for SOW
| eral years it resisted those impor'untics aud
cravings, aud would not consent to his rcmOv-
! al. This was certainly honorable both to Mr..
! Cranston and to the Postmaster Generate CON
sidering that so very few of the many va'na-
! BILE officers appointed or retained by Judge
! MLcan, the parent of the Post-Olfce estab-
lishment, had escaped removal. The fact
was that Mr. Cranston's character as an Off
! Ger stood 80 high tht he had in the Senate
of the United States some friends who were
the personal friends of the head Of the Post
Office Department. and were liberal enough
to advise against his removal. His removal
| from Office was regretted by many of the
! strongest and most respectable friends of the
Administration in this town. Since his re-
moval from this Office, with the exception of
one year. he has remained in private life. not
idle, but industriously and usefully employ
ed.
The ancient Newport artillery Company
has always been particularly scrnpnlons and
guarded in the selection of its officers. espe-
cially its commander. In 1918, is elected
Robert B. Cranston its Lit. Colonel. He had
for his predecessors such men MS George
Champlin, Francis Mslbone, Christopher g..
;. Chanplin, and Richard X. Randolph.
The duties Of high Sheriff are frequently
arduous and difficult. and sometimes linmi-
nently perilous, particularly in the sea port
towns. All these duties were performed by
/ Col. Cranston, while Sheriff, in such a man
ncr as to secure to him universal approba,lon;
and more than appreciation. He was always
cool and rcsolute, but never rash; firm but
i, not obstinate; and he ever treated all those
upon whom he had process to serve, with all
kindness, indulgence and favor which he
could show to them consistently with his OF
fetal duty He had no doubt less difficulty
in executing the duties Of his office than most
officers would have had; for the most desper-
ate men with whom he sometimes had to deal
knowing his character, and his fearless deter
mlnation to DO his duty, quietly submitted ''
the execution of the laws.
1t is supposed by some that Mr.. Cranstor
would not be n speaker in Congress. ],
would be much better never to speak at al
than TO make such speeches as most of those
, which are made there. He has never beer
in any of those public bodies in which tho
makers of bad speeches and worse laws are
to be found. But in our Freenen's meetings
, before which it is quite as difficult and em
barrassing to speak as before any legislativ,
assembly, he has whenever the occasion re-
uuired it. delivered his sentiments as correct
ly, forcibly and fully, though concisely,a til,
: most practised speaker could have done. BY
r Others it is supposed that he does not possess
: the necessary information and requirement
for member of Congress. They arc great
Iy mistaken. There are few among us 81
t intimately acquainted with the history of on
d Government and country; its public meas
ures, Jaws, policy and interest.-And in addit
ion to this, he possesses a strong, discrimi
j. mating mind, cool and sound judgment, dis
n crction, aud an unwavcring attachment an,
$ adherence to correct principles, both in pub
., and in private life. This is The characte
, :, which he has always maintained. lie is
genuine son Of Rhode Island 4; Providence
@ Plantations. lie is the descendant of tn