The Portland daily press., 1881-10-31
The New Secretary of the Treas

The New secretary or the Treas
ury.
ALBANY Journal
Chief Judge Charles j. Folger, Of the Court
Of Appeals, Secretary OF the Treasury, was
born in Massachusetts,, April 16, 1918, and lived
In Nant ucket in his boyhood. When about
IA years of age he removed to Geneva, N. Y.
On his graduation, in 1886, he Immediately en-
tered the law office of Mark 81. sibley and
Alvah Worden, of Canandaigua. Admitted to
the bar in this city in 1889, he practised for
short time in Lyons, returned to Geneva where
his home has since been, in 1S41, and opened
az office there. His first public position was
that Of Justice of the Peace, and in that hum
bic place he gave evidence of the judicial alb
ility for which he has since become admired
and respected. In 1874 he was appointed
Judge of the Ontario Court of Common Pleas,
and was also Master and Examiner in Chan
Gerry until the Chancery Court was abolished
by the adoption of the Constitution of 1916. In
1851 he was elected County Judge, and held
that office for four years He was elected
State Senator in 1861, and again in 1868, 1865,
1867, and 1869. His districts consisted of the
counties of Ontario, Seneca and Yates, and on
his first election he carried it by majority of
1914, being the largest majority given for any
candidate in the district since its formation.
He entered the Senate in trying days, and he
was found to be worthy of the trust his consti-
tuents confided to him. By voice and vote he
stood by the national Government, command
ing influence by distinguished qualities of lead
ership in the Senate. He was the author of the
famous Protective Labor bill, which guaran-
teed freedom Of action to laboring men, in
whose welfare he has always taken an abiding
interest. He opposed the passage OF bill le-
CALLING the removal OF Genesse College from
Lima to Syracuse on the ground of unconstitu-
uonatity. The bill passed, but was afterward
declared unconstitutional by the Court of Ap
peals. He was the incorporating enemy OF
all iobbery and corruption, while at the same
time he was an able advocate and defender of
ali plans of relief for Union soldiers and their
families. Through his fundamentally largely
the Ontario Orphan Asylum was placed on
firm basis, and TO his efforts are largely due the
establishment of the Ovid Insane Asylum.
In 1869 Judge Folger resigned his position as
Senator to accept the position OF Assistant
United States Treasurer at New York. lie
held this place but abort time, relinquishing
il when, in 1870, he was elected Associate
Judge of the Court of Appeals, on the reorgan-
ization of the court. While on the bench he
has acquired high reputation by his legal at
tainments, thorough learning, and learned de-
cisions, and has been acknowledged one of New
York's abiest judges. Upon the death of Chief
Judge Sanford e. Church. in May, 1880, Gov.
Cornell appointed Judge Foger to succeed to
the place Of Chief Judge. TIE Republican
State Convention in August unanimously nomi-
mated him for the same position, and at the
November contest he was elected for full term
of fourteen years by plurality Of "a, 100 over
Judge Charles A. Rspallo, the Democratic
candidate. His acceptance of the Treasury
portfolio will create a vacancy in the Chief
Judgeship. which will be filed by appointment
by Governor Cornell, the election of his sue
cessor not occurring until next year. AS the
Court will take a recess on Friday, the
vacancy will probably not be filed until after
election.
In politics Judge Folger has always been
pronounced Republican. He has not taken an
active part in the recent political controver-
sizes but his inclination has been towards the
Stslwarts. In the Senatorial contest last Janu-
airy he worked for the election of Mr.. Crowley.
His nomination will give great satisfaction
to Republicans Of all classes throughout the
State,