New-York tribune., 1881-10-28
SKETCH OF THE NEW SECRETARY.

Charles James Folger, the new Secretary Oh tle
Treasury, has for many years been prominent
member of the Republican party of this state. lie
is native of Nantucket, Mass, where he was born
April 49, 1918 Twelve years later his parents re-
moved 70 Geneva Ontario County, n. Y, which has
ever since been his home. lie was graduated with
the highest honors of his class at Hobart College IN
1s36 and. after reading law at CaUandaigua with
Mark u Slbley who was then one of the
leading LAWYERS of Western New-YOrk, was in
1889 admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court In
his profession he made rapid progress, and became
widely known for acuteness and eloquence. Cover
nor Bouck appointed him. III 1914, Judge OF the On
tario County Court of Common Pleas but he re-
signed after one years service. In 1881, he was
elected County Judge Of Ontario County, and held
the Office four years. At this time he identified him
self with the Republican party then just assuming
organized form. and at the close of his
term as Judge began an active career IN State
polltics. In 1861 he was elected to the State Sem
ate where he served or eight successive years most
of The time being President pro tempore of the SEN
ate and after the first wear the recognized leader Of
the Republican party in that chamber. He also eX-
erted great influence in all State Conventions of the
party and was closely associated in political move
ments with the Hon. E. ID. Morgan. lie was
a member of the State Constitutional Convention
of 1867 and a prominent candidate Tor
its presldencv but was defeated by William A.
Wheeler lie was, however made chairman of the
Judiciary Committee, and became a leading men,
Der of a body that contained such men as William
NJ. Evarts, Horace Greeley Sandford E. Church,
George William Curtis, Samuel j. Iildeh and A. e.
Paige His legislative career was marked, during
the Rebellion by a stern, uncOmpromising loyalty
10 the UnlOn and throughout by his determined
opposition TO everything that savnred Of Job"
He was the man above all Others who was
feared by lobbyists and legislative jobbers. In
the railroad contests IN the Legislature of 1868 he
champ med the bIl passed at that session. prevent
ing the consolidation OF competing roads, ana pro-
hibiting director If one road from becoming
director in rival company vast interests were at
stake, and there were many legations OF onlclal
corruption; bu not a word was spoken against
the integrity of Mr. FOlger. He also distinguished
himself by taking bold stand against Tweeds tax
levies for NewYOTk City, in one instance extending
the session AID continuing the contest three days
rathe than yield single point.
Al tine close of his Senatorial term i'll 1869, Mr..
Folger was appointed United States Sub-Treasuer
in this city. The following year he was elected
Judge Of the Court of Appeals on the reOrganiZa-
ton of the Court under the new judiciary article
adopted by the Constitutional Convention. AT the
death Oi Chlef-Juige Church, III May, lSeO'
ernOr Cornell He was nominated for a re-
turn TO that place last fall, and was
elected for term Of fourteen years by plurality OF
al, 100 but under the Constitution he would he
able 70 ont only about bali Of his term, when
he would reach the constitutional limit OF seventy
years of age. He has long been close friend OF
President Arthur and lasi February his appoint
ment to the head OF the Treasury Department by
President Garfield was for time supposed to have
been determined upon.