The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-08-09
z. n. BISHOP.

lainy. ----------
r. NJ BISHOP.
The action of the Democratic State
Convention in placing the name OF this
gentleman at the head of the ticket can
not fail to meet with the warmest APPROX
al of the better classes Of all parties 1t
will serve to mark new era in our State
politics for, if we are not mistaken, 1t is
the first instance where practical busl-
ness man, who had never held any rolitl-
cal position, has been nominated for Gov
ernor of this State.
To us it is exceedingly gratifying-the
more so that the Post was the first paper
in the State to suggest his name as can
didate-and we were not then more con-
fident than now, that in event of his elec
ton he would make CLief executive OF
which we may we'll be proud.
AS to his election we have little doubt
His character, his habits, his integrity,
his sterling worth and admitted ability
will appeal strongly to the sober sense OF
men of both parties. The mass of the
people are tired of the rule of ring poll
ticians, who use positions of trust simply
as stepping stones to yet greater prefer
ment. They are weary OF demagogues
and charlatans, of extravaganza and cor
ruption, and they want to bring the Gov
ernment back to its old moorings, and to
have our affairs conducted on business
principles. That Mr.. Bishops election
will secure this, is evidenced by his whole
life-a life that furnishes better guaran'
tee than written platforms or spoken
words-a life of honest and successful
endeavor
Mr. Bishop is emphatiCally a self'mad'
man. Born in Fleming county, Kentucky
in 1872, where his family occupied an en-
viable position, he there spent his boy
hood; and, at the age of seventeen, he be
came a clerk in dry-goods store in hi
native village, and so well did hepertorn
his duties, so highly was he even thus
early appreciated for the many excellent
qualities which have since made his wore
as good as his bond, that before obtaining
his majority he was taken into partner
ship by his employer, In 1888 he engag
ed with his brother in the pork business
which they continued for several years
and in 1S47 he removed to Mt. Sterling
where he established branch house
Business not proving as remuneratlye al
he wished, in 1S48 he came to this city
and established wholesale grocery al
No. 5 Public Landing, under the firm
name of Bishop, Wells q Co. In 1880
Mr.. Wells retired, since which time the
business has been conducted under the
firm name of R. M Bishop & Co., and il
now one of the widest known and mos
reliable houses in the city.
In 1857 Mr.. Bishop was elected to hlt
first office-Councilman from the Second
Ward. and became President ofthat body
In 1859 he was elected Mayor of the city
on Citizens ticket, composed of men O.
all parties. His administration was mark
ed by strict economy and rigid enforce
ment of the law, and it has been fire.
ouently remarked in our hearing, tha
never since has such excellent order beer
maintained. His vigorous enforcement
of the law and order rendered him, as hC
was warned would be the case, unpopular
with those who had long violated then
with impunity, but as he remarked it wal
not his duty to make laws, but to enforce
them, and he did 80, fearlessly and i'm
partially.
Since the expiration of his term al
Mayor, with the exception Of serving al
a member of the Constitutional Conven
ton, to which he was elected on the SAM
ticket with Sam F. Hunt, @. w. Wooley
c. w. Rowland and others, receiving
nearly six hundred more votes than tn
next highest candidate on the successful
ticket, he has held no public position
He has however, represented the inter
ests of the business men OF the city a
different times, having been President o
National Board of Trade, and is now serv
ing as Trustee of the Cincinnati South
ern railroad.
He is now in his sixty-fifth year, hal
and vigorous, in the full possession OF a
his faculties-mental and physical. III
has accumulated handsome fortune b
his own unaided exertions, and establish
ed a reputation forintegrity, honesty an
social and moral worth Of which be has
right to be proud. Wherever he is know
he is respected, and while he LACKS tn
graces of the finished orator he more tina
makes up for the deficiency by wealtl
of strong, sterling common sense. l
this city, where he has lived for nearl
thirty. years and where his whole life ha
been open, he is universally regarded as
representative merchant, an honest, W
right, worthy citizen, and clear headed
iudicious and capable man, and he wi
be supported by men of both parties, ne
on account of his politics, but because {
his possession ofthese qualities Cinc''
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