The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-09-01

Francis Granger.


Francis Granger.
or late death has been making sad havoc among
those occupying prominent positions IN the political
circles OF this State. Within comparatively short
space OF time the names Of John Van Buren,, Dean
Richmond and Peter Gagger have been stricken
from the rolls never to appear again, and now the
name OF one who In years gone by played an active
and energetic part in the politics OF the Empire State
must be added to the list Of those who have passed
away. On Friday last, in Canagdaigua, Mr.. Francis
Granger died at the advanced age OF eighty-one
years.
MIR. Granger was a son OF Mr.. Gideon Granger, who
held the position of Postmaster General under Presi-
dents Jefferson and Madison from 1901 till 1874 when
he was displaced for his opposition to the war,
coupled with his unconcealed support Of De Witt
Clinton for Governor Of this State, shortly after
the Inauguration Of Mr. Madison for the second term
He always took deep interest in educational
matters and contributed largely OF his means
towards the forwarding Of any enterprise looking to
the advancement OF the people by the requirement
of knowledge. About the year 1914 he moved to
TINS state and occupied place In the Senate III 1872
He died In 1922.
His son, Francis Granger, the subject Of the pre-
sent notice, was born at Sufleld Hartford county,
Conn.,, in 1887 and was educated at Yale, where he
took his degrees and graduated with honors In !sl2
When he arrived at proper age he commenced me
father had removed. He made considerable progress,
but following the tendencies of his father he exhibited
marked preference for the excitement ana bustle
Of political lile At such age and with such
mentor he was not long in seeking the gratincatlon
OF his desires for political fame About TINS time the
excitement in relation to the abduction OF Morgan
by members of the Masonic fraternity reached pro-
dgious height. Various rumors were spread In re-
gard to the disposition of the unfortunate man. The
most eXtravagant stories were current as to his fate,
and people throughout the state, especially In the
western part of it, were considerably excited. Under
n
fcult or laborous task to create bitter Keeling
against the members of the Masonic fraternity.
Trading politicians saw this seized the opportunity
and turned it to advantage. Young men looking FOR
position, fame and emolument were easily induced
ojOin In the movement, and the anti Masonic party
became'a power I'm the Empire State.
Among the aspiring young men of that day and
foremost IN the Anti Masonic agitation may be men,
toned the names OF william H. Seward, Millard Fill
more, Thurlow Weed and Francis Granger Once
into 1t they abored hard for the success of the party
In 1925 Mr. Granger resolved to put TO test his po
litical influence and became candidate for egisla
tive hOnors, and succeeded in being elected member
OF Assembly for ontario county. When IN the House
he not slow in exhibiting his antagonism against
the Masonic ordoI and with such force and spirit did
he wage his war, and with such satisfaction to his
constituents that he secured his reelection the sub
sequent year.
OF his party vigorous, energetic and Watchiul. in
1928 he hOnored by the anti-MasOnic party with
the nomination for Governor, and at the
same time was nominated by the Adams republicans
for Lieutenant Governor The latter he accepted,
but he was defeated. by the Jackson ticket, which
had the name OF Martin van Bulen az bne ctnuluale
for the gubernatoriol chair. In the following year
Mr.. Granger went back t9 the Assembly, and the
subsequent year again entered the arena Tor the
Governors char against his old antagonist, Mr..
Throop. In this struggle he was again defeated.
The year Following, 1881, Mr.. Granger again went
back to the Legislature for the last time
In 1882 q movement was naugurated between the
Clay republicans upon one side and the anti Masonic
party on the other TO bring around coalition be-
tween the two sections In this State. After some
deliberation the differences were healed and both
parties agreed on the nomination OF Mr. Granger for
Governor The ONCE Of Governor apparently was
the great goal for which he aimed He was doored
TO disappointment, however. His opponent William
l.. Marcy, defeated him by majority OF over 10000
votes.
When the whig party was formed two years later,
Mr.. Granger became prominent leader. Ills wei
known activity and shrewdness wereiacknowledged,
and his influence undoubted. In 1884, while
the state Convention was In session. ne sought the
nomination OF Governor but the same i'll luck which
followed him on every occasion when he sought the
gubernatorial chair stuck to him on this occasion,
seeing his former friend and political colaborer,
William H. seward, secure the nomination and bear
S ON e sr srven to Later in The same
year, however, he was nominated for Congress for
| the Twenty-sixth district and was elected. When
convention con at Phlladelphia-ihe last that was
ever held-In 1885, Mr. Granger was nominated on
Harrison for President. The wings, not having yet
attained the rank OF national party went into the
son, Mr.. Webster, and Judge II. l.. White, OF Ten
nessee for candidates. The other States made John
Tyler their canduate, MT. GTanRer DelHp ODnOXlOuS
TO them account OF his supposed antslayery SEN
tments. The electoral colleges made no choice OF
Vice President, and Colonel Johnson was elected by
the Senate Messrs. Calhoun and Preston, OF South
Carolina and Judge White, OF Tennessee, then act
ing with the whigs declining to vote.
In 1888, when the whg party had become success
full Mr.. Granger was elected TO Congress and sue
ceeded his seat In the following election. In ls4l
he was nominated by President Harrison FOR the
position of Postmaster General. He experienced
some difficulty In having his nomination con-
firmed by the Senate. on account OF his sup
pln
however was got over by the assurance from Mr..
Granger that In OF his becoming abOitOnist
he did not expect TO be permitted to occupy the
place. short time after the election OF Mr. Tyler to
his friends resigned his position In the Cabinet. On
his return home he elected TO Congress- but he
declined to take his seat and since then, although
mixing in politics. he never was actively engaged or
held public office.
place. and In 1861 he was appointed member OF the
Peace Conference which met In Washington In the
February Of that year.
Deceased was o man OF commanding mien,
wonderful energy great activity and good Judge OF
human character. Vigorous and manly opposition
was the he pursued rather than the petty and
trinng underwOrkings OF the demagogues lie was
a consistent worker throughout the whole OF his
political career and had q strong will and great
tenacty to secure any measure or object he desired
objects OF the Know Nothing party, and his views
on the aDti-slavery question more than once endan
Qered hs position when a member OF the Presidents
Cabinet For several years past he has spent much
OF his time In this city, where he had numerous
friends who ere tins have heard with sadness Of his
death.
Gideon (:ru NIGER.