The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-05
MIR. FoLGER,s CAREER.
Sketch of the Dead Mans Life and Services
to State and Nation.

Sketch of the Dead Mans Life and Services
to State and Nation.
Charles j. Folger was born in Massachusetts,
April 6, I818 and lived at Nantucket in his boy
hood When about fourteen years of age he re-
moved to Geneva, N. Y. On his graduation, in
1886, he Immediately entered the law Office of
Mark H Sibley and Alvah Worden Of Canaan
daigua Admitted to the bar in New York city,
in 1889, he practiced for short time at Isy ons;
returned to Geneva, where his home has since
been, in 1841, and opened an Office there. His
first public position was that of justice of the
peace and in that humble place he gave evi-
dence of the judicial ability for which he was
afterward so greatly admired and respected In
1874 he was appointed judge Of the Ontari
Court of Common Pleas. and was also master
and examiner in chancery until the Chancery
Court was abolished by the adoption of the
Constitution of 1876. 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 cleo
tod ne carried it by majority Of 3,3l4, being
the largest majority given for any candidate in
the district since its formation He entered the
State Senate in trying days, and he was found
to be worthy Of the trust his constituents con
fded to him. By voice and vote he stood by the
national government, commanding influence by
distinguished qualities Of leadership in the SEN
ate He was the author of the famous protective
labor bill, which guaranteed freedom of action
to laboring men, in whose welfare he always
took an abiding interest He opposed the pass
sage Of bill legalizing the removal of Genesee
College from Lima to Syracuse on the ground of
unconstituhonality. The bill passed but was
afterward declared unconstitutional by the
Court OF Appeals He was the uncompromising
enemy of all jobbery and corruption, while at
the same time he was an able advocate
and defender of all plans of relief for
the Union soldiers and their families
Through his instrumentality largely the
Ontario Orphan Asylum was placed on firm
basis, and to his efforts are largely due the es
tablishment of the Ovid Insane Asylum In
1869 Judge Folger resigned his position as sena-
tor to accept the position of Assistant United
States Treasurer at New York He held this
place but short time, relinquishing it when, in
1870. he was elected Associate Judge of the
Court OF Appeals. on the reorganization Of the
court While on the bench he acquired high
reputation by his legal atta;nments. thorough
learning and learned decisions, and was ac
knowledged one of New Yorks ablest judges.
Upon the death Of Chief Judge Sanford E.
Church, in May 1880, Governor Cornell appoint
ed Judge Folger to succeed to the place of Chief
Judge. The Republican State convention in
August unanimously nominated him for the
same position, and at the November contest
was elected for a full term Of fourteen years
by a plurality of As, 160 over Judge
Charles A. Rapallo, the Democratic candidate
During the time President Garfield was making
up his Cabinet at Mentor, he telegraphed to
Judge Folger to come there for consultation
Judge Folger was offered by Mr. Garfield the
Office of Attorney general and in certain con
tingency that of Secretary Of the Treasury but
he did not deem it expedient to accept the form
er Office. He was appointed Secretary of the
Treasury by President Arthur on the 9th of
October, 1881, a position which he has since held
In 1882 he was nominated by the Republicans as
candidate for Governor of New York, but was
Overwhelmingly defeated. As Secretary of the
Treasury, Mr. Folger gave close personal atten-
ton to the detail work of the office performing
many duties which his predecessors were con-
tent to leave to subordinates. His health for the
past two years had been bad which was due in
tails Of his office. He has been at his home for
some time, resting, and the later reports were
that he was improving in health