The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-07-22

ton of State Agent at Washington,
was that the provisions of that sgree-
ment might be carried out to the let
ter. This imposed upon him deli
cate and onerous duties-euch as 9
watcbful care over the sick and
wounded, the forwarding of dead
bodies home, and generally a watch
full eye over the interests of Pennsyl-
vania soldiers in camp and on the
field. Although quite feeble during
most of the time he held that posi-
ton. thousands of Pennsylvania SOL
diers have borne tribute to the fidel-
ity with which he performed that
trust. !.
In 1863 the Legislature created
the Office of Military Secretary, and
Governor Curtin, recalling the faith
ful energy and careful intelligence
of his former private secretary, at
once transferred Colonel Quay from
the position of Military State Agent
at Washington to the post of Militia
ry Secretary at Harrisburg. Soon
after he had taken his new position
the death of Col. Sees, Superintend-
ent of Transportation and Tele-
graph, imposed the additional du-
ties of that position upon him. lie
held these two important offices and
the closest confidential relations
with the Governor for two years or
more, during which time his duties
were of the most exacting charac-
ter.
IN POLITICS.
In 1865 he resigned these posi-
tions to take his seat in the Legisla-
ture from the counties of Washing.
ton and Beaver, to which he had
been elected in 1864. He was made
Chairman of the Committee OF
Ways and Means of that body. and
some of the most important legisla-
ton enacted during his legislative
service bore the impress OF his IN
telligent work. His first memora-
BILE political contest was in 1866,
when he was the presiding genius
in the political move which result
ed in the election of James r. Kelly
as Speaker of the House. In this
fight he began to develop into the
sagacious political leader he has
since become, and being a friend of
Governor Curtin's he was naturally
led into antagonisms with the then
ruling power in Pennsylvania poll
tics.
The following year he was an un-
successful candidate for the Speak
ersnip himself, the party being di-
vided into two factions, led by ex-
Governor Curtin and Gen. Simon
Cameron. The breach which had
occurred was healed in 1869, when
Hon. John Scott was elected .. S.
Senator and Robert w. Mackey
State Treasurer.
The Colonel was now recognized
power in the politics of the State,
and, the better to retain his grip
started a newspaper-the Beaver
Radicdl-without a subscriber, but
made it a success. When General
ran for Governor, Colonel
Quay used every exertion and
brought all his influence to bear in
Hartranft's favor. His reward was
he appointment to be Secretary Of
he Commonwealth, in which posi-
ion his unsurpassed knowledge of
public men and political affairs
made him of great use.
During the administration of Gov.
Hoyt he continued in this position
lntil political differences with the
Governor caused his resignation.
he was for a short time
Recorder of the City of Philadelphia.
to Philadelphia he became
, resident of the Eighth Ward, and
was prominent factor in local as
we'll as State politics. Last year he
returned to Beaver County.
Colonel Quay is a man of fine in
.ellectual attainments and periodic
lily studious habits. He is the pos
SCISSOR of fine library, and some of
the leading Philadelphia booksellers
have a standing order to send him
copy of every new publication in
which he is likely to be interested.
While e. resident OF Philadelphia,
occupying the splendidly-appointed
residence on the corner of Eleventh
and Spruce streets, he was known as
a most hospitable householder. His
family consists of his wife and sew
eral children. His eldest child, q
boy, is a namesake OF Governor
Curtin.