The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-12-03

PREsIDEST-ELKcr CLEvELAED's PRIVATE SEC
EErARY.
PresidenteIect Cleyelsnd's successful sd-
ministcstion as Governor of New York has
brought into great prominence the man who
shares his counsels and whose knowledge
and sagacity have been unquestionably an
element of importance in the development
OF the extraordinary success which chsrac.
terizes the public career of his chief. Like
Mr.. Cleveland himself, Mr.. Lamont is al
ways accessible TO newspaper men and
courteous in his treatment of CORE
spondents, but 1t was discovered
soon after the Governor went to
Albany that his administration kept Official
secrets with remarkable success. Well-con-
sidered appointments have been made known
of the proper time, and in frequent cases
have been surprising to all not ia the Gov
errors confidence. The publication Of much
tittle-tattle, spoken or printed, has been pre-
vented by this wholesome reticence of Mr..
Cleveland and his secretary, and the admin
istration has been esved much criticism
which would have weakened and injured it.
The pro7erD. "a still tongue msketh wise
head" has possibly an apter application to
politics than 20 any other subject which
Mr. Cleveland and Mr.. Lamont evidently
remember and practice to the manifest ed
vantage OF the Governor and his party
The Private Secretary of the President
elect, Daniel s. Lamont, was born in Cort-
land County, New York, February 9, 1851.
He was the only child of g country merchant
IN good circumstances who gave him an
academic education. Upon leaving college,
he entered his fathers store as clerk, IN oc-
cupation which proved uncongenial and was
coon Telinquished for the pursuit OF politics.
Mr. Lamont was made delegate to Demo
cratic State conventions before be had at
tanned his majority. His first Office WIS as
Deputy CLERK In New York He was mem
Der OF the New York Assembly in 1870 1871
and 1873. In 1576-77 he acted as Chief Clerk in
the New York State Department, under John
Bigelow. Mr.. Lamont was q confidential
man about Samuel J. Tilden during the
time he Was Governor OF the Empire State,
and after his nomination fer the Presidency
in the period Of his candi6eture 1t is stated
that NJ. Tilden has employed him OfteDer
in confidential matters than be hiss any
other man. From 1875 until 1888, Mr.
Lamont Was Secretary OF the Democratic
State Central Committee of New York. He
evidenced as suoh marvellous acquaintance
with the details Of State politics and 3
knowledge OF public men and politicians
rarely eGualeG. His facility of remembering
persons snd calling them by name is very
remarkable. He was appointed to the posi-
ton he now holds. January I, 1888. and also
Military Secretary, with the rank OF Colonel.
Mr.. Lamont has had some experience es q
newspaper man, having been managing ed
itor of the Albany Argus for some years, un-
til hs accepted his present appointment. He
is still stOckholder in the Albany Argus
Company, OF which Daniel Manning is Pres
i0ent
IA. ,,xa,dc.1arfa eau,a IN 4hia oour f,-y
from Scotland, and his prevailing character
istICs of COOL esdedness, reticence and far
sighted sagaci,y are decidedly such as are
embodied IN the popular conception OF what
the educated Sco' chman Is. He is a small
q0iei-lookiDg man, ,weighingsnot more than
l25 pounds and standing about five and 8
haf feet. This essiduities of politics have
uoJ prevented Mr.. Lamont from becoming q
devoted husband and the father OF two small
children.