Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-07-11
}Mistellaneul1s &eadiug,
LEVI p. MORTON.

Hon. Levi P. Morton, nominee of the
Republican party for the vice-presidency
on the ticket with Benjamin Harrison for
president of the United States, has long
been conspicuous figure in affairs, and it
is no small praise to say that he has filled
with distinguished ability, every position
to which he has been called. He was born
at Shoreham, Vermont, May l6, 1924 be-
ing a son of the late Rev. Daniel 0. Nor
ton While his early educational advant-
ages were limited to those of the common
schools, his home training and the health
full moral atmosphere in which his youth
was passed, particularly fitted him for
years of future usefulness and for winning
for himselfa successful and commanding
position among men. His earliest eXpe-
rience of business was in q country store
at Hanover, N. Fl. After five years he
sought a wider field of activity in Boston,
where, unaided by money or influence, he
worked his way to membership in the
firm of Beebe, Morton & Co., at the same
time that Mr.. Morton, successor to George
Peabody & Co., London, became connected
with the house. In 1854 Mr.. Morton came
to New York and established the dry goods
firm of Morton & Grinnell. In 1868 he
gave up trade and entered the banking
business. About the same time he estab-
lished a partnership in London with Sir
John Rose, former minister of finance in
Canada, the house being known as Morton,
Rose & Co. The latter were the fiscal
agents of the United States from 1875 to
1854. The firm of which he was the head
tiated United States bonds, and in the pay
Of hn rH nf
and the Halifax award of S5,000,000. Mr..
sioner to the Paris Exposition in 1878.
by the Republicans of the eleventh New
York district and barely escaped election,
having very materially reduced the ma
jority of his Democratic opponent. In
1878 he again received the nomination, and
this time was successful by large majori-
ty, and he was reelected in 1880. His
course in Congress was such as to command
the admiration of his friends and the re-
spect of those holding opposite political
views. He gave strict attention to public
business, and faithfully subserved not only
the interest of his immediate constituents
but the country at large. In the larger
field of public life he was no less progress
sive and successful than in the admirable
administration of his private business af-
fairs.
Mr.. Morton declined the nomination of
Vice President on the Republican ticket
in 1880. President Garfield rendered him
the positions Of secretary of the navy or
minister to France. He chose the latter
and filled the post with great acceptability
from 1881 to 1885. Through his efforts the
restrictions upon the importation of Amer
ican pork into France were removed and
American corporations obtained legal
status in the sister Republic. He was the
American commissioner to the Paris elec-
trical commission, the representative OF
this country at the submarine cable con-
vention, and publicly received, in the
name of the people OF the United States,
the Bartholdi Statue of Liberty enlighen-
ing the world.
After Mr.. Conkling's resignation as
United States Senator in 1881, Mr.. Morton
was prominently mentioned by his friends
for that position. He was candidate for
the same place in the election of 1887.
Mr. Morton has been for many years
conspicuously connected with many be-
nevolent movements, notably that of send
ing, in 1880, cargo of provisions in the
naval ship Constitution for the famine
stricken people of Ireland.