The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-12-15
JOHN w. FoRNEY.

AHis gentleman, whose death was an
nouneed in our dispatches last night,
had been prominent in political matters
Tor thirty years. He was born in Ian
caster, Pennsylvania, September 80, 1917,
and was therefore past O. years old.
In 1888 he entered the Office of the Lam
caster Journal as an apprentice at the
printing business, and in 1897, became
the JOINT proprietor and editor OF the
Lancaster Intelligencer. In 1915 he
went to Philadelphia, where he was long
the editor of the Pennsylvania. one of
the most decided Democratic journals
of the time. In 1851 and again in 1858
he was chosen clerk of the house of rep
resentaiives at Washington. He then
became editor of the Union, the Demo
cratic organ at Washington. He re-
signed this position in 1855. returned TO
Philadelphia and was chosen chairman
OF the Democratic state committee. In
January, 1857, he was a candidate for
senator but was defeated by Simon Cam
eron- The same year, August LIST, he is
sued the first number OF the Philadel-
phia Press, an independent Democratic
Journal. 1t was during his connection
with this journal that he achieved his
principal fame. He became an able and
influential leader in his party.
He advocated the election of
James Buchanan As president and per
hapS did more than any other man to
secure his nomination, but notwithstand-
ing this the Press became an able and
determined opponent OF Buchanan's ad-
ministration when it sought to fasten
slavery upon KansaA The paper be-
came an out-spokAn champion for free
dom In Kansas, and vigorously opposed
the Lecompton constitution. He ever
remained true and devoted friend of
Kansas. In consequence of his position
as an opponent Of the Democratic party,
he was elected again as clerk of the
house of representatives in the Seth con-
gress by the Republicans. The civil
war coming on, he gave a constant sup
port to the national government. In
1851 he established. in addition to the
Press. weekly paper in Washington
called the Chronicle. 1t became a daily
in October, 1862. He was secretary of
the U. s. senate from 1861, 10 1868, and
the latter year was delegate TO the Ma
tional Republican convention which
first nominated Gen. Grant In 1867 he
went TO Europe and from there wrote an
Interesting series of sketches which
were published in his paper. He also
wrote Anecdotes of Public Men," pub
lished originally in his two papers,
"both daily" and afterwards
published in book form. Some years ago
he sold the Press at a big figure and re-
tired from it entirely. His next paper
venture was "The Progress" which was
started in Philadelphia over four
years ago. L. was devoted principally
to literature and historical and personal
matters, and was handsomely printed.
He paid some attention, also, to politi-
cal affairs. He was an advocate last
year OF General Grant for president, Le-
lieving his election would do more to
restore unity between the north and
south than the election Of any other Re-
publican candidate. After the two
parties had placed their candidates in
the field Mr.. FOrney decided in favor of
the Democratic nominee, and opposed
General Garfield with much bitterness
But the great in fluence which he once
had welded was gone, and his follow
ing was small. He INDUCED in the
most gloomy forebodings in the event of
the success of the Republican nominee,
and was numerically ridiculed by the
Republican press, and rapidly lost caste
among his political friends and
associates, he had evidently become
soured and disappointed.
When the-Old settlers OF Kansas had
their quarter-centennial celebration at
Bismasck in 1879. Mr.. Forney was in
vited TO participate on account of the
prominent part he had taken in their ear
ly struggles for freedom, and came out
and delivered the principal address.
His visit was almost an ovation, the peO-
pie gathering from every quarter of the
state TO welcome their old friend. His
address was full of good words for Kan
sas, and Was widely published In
the papers. All will regret his I'M
timely death.