St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-16
HENRY SMITH,
THO SOCIALIST COngressman-E Elect
From milwaukee,.

FROM Will Waukee.
Labor organizations everywhere are
deeply interested and much gratitied over
the result of the recent congressional cleo
tons, no less than six labor candidates hay
ing been elected to congress. One OF these
is Henry Smith, of Milwaukee, whose cleo
ton is surprise to every one at all ac-
quainted with Milwaukee politics. Three
candidates were in the feld-John Back,
Democratic very wealthy eX-mayUr and
retired wholesale liquor dealer who has
always been considered invinc bic in pOlti-
cal contests; Thomas IL. Brown. a Republic
can eXmayOr and very popular man,
and Henry Smith, the latter nominated
by the Peoples or Labor party, which has
never made a congressional nomination
there before this year. Black polled some
thing over 1000 votes. Brown little over
9. 900 and Henry Smith over Ii. 600. to the
surprise of everybody. Mr.. Smith Is a
native of Baltimore Nd, where he was
born July %, 1888, and is therefore 4S years
of age. He is millwright by trade and
has resided in Milwaukee since 1915. For
years he has been prominent figure on ac-
count of his socalistic ideas. He is not
only socialist. but decidedly unorthodox in
religion. In 1874 he was chosen alder
man from his ward, the Sixth, which
has a large and strong organization
of German socialists. In 1877 he was chosen
to tile lower house of the Legislature as a
socialistic candidate, being elected over
both Republican and Democratic oppo-
nent, receiving nearly as many votes as
both Of them. Subsequently he served sew
eral years in the council and was
ELECTED CITY COMPTROLLER
on the Democratic ticket. He is Il tall,
lank man, of light complexion, usually
wearing millers' clothes OF light color. He
is very easy talker. and though not well
educated possesses a large bump of good
horse sense, and is naturally as keen as
briar He was always prominent
figure in the council, where he especially
eSpoused every movement which would
benefit the labOring man. OutSpOken in his
opinions, caring for no mans censure if he
thought he was right, strictly honest and of
unquestioned business integrity, he has
made many warm friends. He is one Of
the very few mechanics who has the expert
ence, ability and natural inclination for
legislator, and no set of lawyers can hood
wink him. To quote his own words. he can
see into milestone as far as anybody.
As an instance of his ShrewdneSS
can be given his management of
the city c0mptrOller's office. He knew
nothing, and pretended to know nothing of
the routine of the office or the methods of
bookkeeping employed there or in fact any
where else. But he was long-headed
enough to appoint as his deputy the most
expert accountant in the city, a man who.
although Republican, had served as city
clerk and had a thorough knowledge of
everything pertaining to the office. AS a
result Comptroller Smiths administration
was the best the city ever had. He was
one of those public officials who considered
it his duty to enforce the laws as they were
and not to make them, and no
board of public works or common council
could bulge him from this position He is
a good story teller, an nveterate joker. con-
siderable of philosopher in his way and a
companonable. though thoroughly temper
ate man. When making speech he sticks
both hands into his trOuser pockets and ges-
ticuates with his head and body, cracking
jokes numerically at any opponent He
may not make his mark in congress as an
orator, but members of labor organizations
count on him to vote on their side of a ques-
ton, if he knew the whole patent Office
would fall on him the next minute.