The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-04-18

and repeated solicitations Of the leading merchants and
importers OF the city, recognition Of their right as
great and growing interest in at community 70 DO i'm
medatey represented in Office affecting them above
all others Mr. smythe is poltician he is the repre-
sentative OF faction he is not indebted TO seward
Nv ali o ha "s hs a an NOS
sbe against his confirmation that could not be advanced
With equal or double force against any OF his opponents
His confirmation should therefore be unanimous
SKETCH OF THE NEW COLLECTOR.
Mr. Henry A. Smythe. who has just been appointed
Collector Of this port native Of the State Of New
York, and comes from good old stock. He was was
born in the year 1872 in the town Of Hobart Delaware
county His father OF tho earliest settlers In that
section Of the country popular and able lawyer,
and his maternal grandfather was the Hon. Anthony
Marvne also distinguished lawyer, and VIII for some
time represented the Delaware district in Congress.
Mr. smythe, aster receiving q good academic educa-
ton came In 1885, TO this city, commencing his bust
life clerk in one Of our large jobbing
and importing houses but subsequently entered
extensively importing establishment in the same
pacy. In 1s4o he joined partner the Boston house
Of Francis Skinner Co.. opening the first branch in
this city Of their immense Eastern manufacturing
pany's agencies He remained in this firm until 1857
when he established the large and ensve house OF
Smythe, sprague 4 Cooper Mr.. smythe, in this now
position, as heretofore, the managing man Of the
hrm the business Of which most prohtably and sue
cessully carried on, through all the great
mcrcai excitement revuiSionS OF the psT1Ou from
1887 to 1904 During the latter year he retired from the
partnership and immediately elected President OF
the Central National Bank, an institution which was
brought into existence mainly through his Efforts and
he still remains at its head The ability with which he
engineered the affairs Of the bank is the strongest cv
dence that could be given Of Mr. Smyhes business tact
and energy OF character as well as his executive ability,
which constitute the very qualifications requisite for
his actions and dealings he demands this standard OF
excellence from Others and never be swerved from
his sense of right and duty, however great the
temptation specous the devices Socially he is one Of
genial of men, possessing in large degree, the
Christ spirit Of benevolence; frank and gentle
manly In his intercourse with his follows he rarely for
gets friend, and is slow to forgive enemy.
In politics Mr.. Smythe Is what was formerly
known as an old line wing, now as u con-
sentative republican, though by no means poll
clan as the term used. He belongs to political
clique coferis and consequently is offensive to no in
teres He gives the President his earnest support and
will doubtless endeavor far as lies In his power aud
influence, to aid in eGectng an early settlement or the
questions agiating the public mind, and bring once
into symmetry and harmony with each other the
various States Of the Union, with full restoration OF all
true political and commercial interests.
In appointing Mr. Smythe to this important post the
President has inaugurated entirely new system in
making selection for Office There is no political party
or clique that say II did " Belonging To the great
class of the country all interests commercial
ond POLITICAL conservative and radical democratic and
republican have Joined in the support OF his claims for
the place The President has Furthermore paid high
compliment to our merchants, with whom Mr. Smythe is
popular This class after performing much OF the labor
in political moves and furnishing large share oil the
money, seldom considered in the distribution OF
Office. The prominent places, and especially the col
lectorshps aretoo generally gwen to lawyer or some
tricky Politician seldom to one OF our honorable mcr
chants But two Of Collectors, who can now be re-
called selected from among our commercial men.
These Jonathan Thomson and Cornelius W. Law
renee who without doubt two of the most popular
and efficient have ever had mt this port II Is
believed that Mr. smythe will follow closely their ex-
nm