New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-02
SKETCHES OF THE NOMINEES.
SILAs W. BURT.

Colonel Silas Wright Burt the nominee for
Chief EIaminer OF tho Civil Service Commission,
born in Albany on April 25 1880. His father was
Thomas VI. Burt. OF KInderhook. formerly Of tha
proprieOrs OF The Albany ArguS ld Atlas, and first su
perntcndent OF the Banking Department OF New-Iork
He was graduated with honor from Union College, whero
he cassmate OF President Arthur After gradual
| ing he took special course in the Depari msnt of
erai years At tie broaEing out OF the rebellion he was
appointed, with General Arthur member Of the stsi Of
Governor MOrg aad retained the position or Assistant
Inspect0r-Gencral aud Auditor oi Military Accounts
through the administration ot Governors seymoIr and
Odice and IN 1870 was made special deputy,
after which he had tho pra :tical management %, Of
the Office as Special Deputy and Auditor Ills
report Secretary Sherman in regard TO simplifying
the Custom House entry system led TO change ID tne
age In 1878 President Hayes promoted Mr. Burt TO
ton Of The kind IN The history Of the office under tho
Civil Service rules estab during the Administration
man of the chief commission appointed
in this city, and lie has ever been s.renuoas
advocate ofthoroughnss aud completeness in the civil
Service. The OF the system IN the Custom House
has been due chiefly to Mr. Burts exertons.
CHARLES X. GRAHAM
General Charles X. Graham entered the Customs
service on July 26 1875 when he appointed
Surveyor OF the Port In the place OF GcuerA
Merritt, who had been promoted 10 be Collector.
lie was confirmed at the next session OF Congress,
and his term Of Office expired on February 0. IL
was decided heu by the Secretary Of the Treasury that
pointed General Graham was born IN this city. Ho
served six years midshpman the United States
Navy. He became aterward a civil engineer,
and connected with several important
works In this city lie succeeded General
Mcclellan engneern-chief OF the Dock Department
When the Civil War broke out he entered the military
service and from the gaie OF Major he steadily 70
that OF Brgader General aud Breye Major General He
severely wounded ut the battle OF Gettysburg
in July, 1868, Iebel bullet striking him In thSi
right shoulder Almost at the same time nc was sres
on the side by pece OF she'll He was not uisap,ed
active service aud nmedately aiter MS
recovery from his he again AT the 'front.' lo
remained in until the close OF the CONNECT As
Surveyor OF the Port General Giaha mas peen an cm-
cent officer.
ELIHU ROOT.
Ehu Root was bora in l8i3. In Clinton, Oneida Coun-
tv n Y and is son OF DR.. 0ren Root now Professor
Emeritus OF Mathematics, Minerolosy and
Geology in Hamilton College Dr. Root
WAS succeeded in his professorshp by
his son, the Rev. Oren Root, jr. Elihu koot was
graduated from Hamilton College as yaledictoran Of
the class of 1868 then taught school lor short time
IN the academy at Rome, few miles from Clinton. He
same TO tns city, graduated from the Columbia
College Law school lie then catered the law
irm OF Man Parsons in Wall-s. He was admitted 10
.he bar In 1865.
Mr. Root has engaged in several important itiga-
ions lie was counsel for OF The defendants IN mo
OF The Police Commissioners before Mayor oIace(
now one OF the counsel for the estate In the uoyt WIZ
Csntlnusd ON Fifth PAGE.