The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-06-16
Republican /" Boss" OF Pennsyivania.

illustrated Correspondence Ney North Yes
The last few years have seen the fall, o
decadence Of power, Of many Republican
"Boss." Conkling of New York, Boutwell,
Of Massachusetts,, Sprague of Rhode Island
kellogg Of Louisiana, Sargent of California
Robson Of New'Jersey, Logan of Illinois
even Blaine Of Maine, have either lost contro
absolutely or held the reins with weaken.
Ing grasp. Only Don Cameron of Psnnsyl
vanis helds undisputed sway and has never
suffered defeat.
James Donald Cameron, the subject O,
our sketch, was born in Middletown, Pa, in
1888, graduated at Princeton College, and
began life as clerk in the Middletown bank,
where he rose to the position Of cashier. He
failed to acquire all the modern accomplish
ments, and never performed the great en-
bezzling or disappearing act, for instance,
but still he was counted a good cashier. He
learned railroading by engaging in the trans
portation Of troops and supplies, and in 1866
became president of the Northern Central
railroad, now a part of the Pennsylvania
Central. His first appearance In politics
was jump into the Cabinet. President
Grant made him Secretary of War May %,
1876, and he served the remainder of Grants
term, until March 3, 1877. When he left the
Office of Secretary, his father, who was grow
ing old, resigned his seat In the United
States Senate, and instructed the Legislature
Of Pennsylvania to elect Don. 1t did so.
The young "Boss" was reelected in 1878,
and on the death of Zach Chandler in 1879,
he succeeded him as Chairman of the Ma
tional Republican Committee. 1t is now
matter of history that If the other Third
termers of that committee had sustained his
position at the Chicago convention, when he
claimed that by precedent he had the right
Of naming the temporary chairman, Grant
would have been nominated instead of G. ar
field.
There have been repeated unsuccessful re-
vslts agsinst the Cameron rule in Pennsyl-
vanis, and there is one organizing now.
There, as elsewhere, the machine Is credited
with corruption Of the public service, but
the Camerons have never been personally
tainted. Don can not make speech. As a
" Boss" this Is fortunate, as speeches have
been known to rise up and ruin him that ut
tered them. lie is man of keen fore sight,
unflinching determination, and of great ex-
ecutive ability. He comedies when conces-
sion will win; he deies where defiance Is
victory. He triumphed last year over an in
dependent ticket that polled fifty thousand
votes. 1t is thought that he has q heavier
contract on his hands this year, aud conse-
quently the eyes of the country are upon
him. Mr.. Cameron has been married twice.
His second wife is beautiful daughter of
the late Judge Sherman of Cleveland, and
niece of the Senator and General. BY his
first wife he has a daughter older than his
second helpmate. 1t was thought at one
time that his connection with the Shermans
would disturb his loyalty to Grant, but the
ties Of relationship rest lightly upon him, as
he has repeatedly wrecked the political for
tunes Of ex-Attorney General Wayne Mac
Veagh, who Is his brother-in-law.