New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-26

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of its most noted achievements was the salo Vi soo
600 600 Of New-York Central Railroad stock belonging
10 william H. Vanderbilt to English purchasers, tho
firm being part of a syndicate which accomplished
this task
TAKING A COMMANDING PLACE IN CONGRESS.
Mr. Morton entered into political life In 1875
Late I'm the canvass much to his surprise, the RepuD-
lloans OF the XIth Congressional Dsulot homi-
mated him as their candidate. There was not sucient
time to make thorough canvass, and Mr. Morton
was defeated, although he reduced the usuai Demo-
cratic majority 400 votes. NJ. Morton couragcousiy
ran again for Congress in the district In 1878,
and this time was elected receiving majority tbat
exceeded the whole vote Of his opponent AS mem
Der Of Congress he took a commanding posi"on "heh
ever financial questions under Consideration
He strongly opposed the bill providing ior the I'M
limited coinage Of silver dollars, and his influence hau
great effect I'm defeating II. AT the extra session
in 1879 he made two speeches on the silver question
which convinced the country that he was a master
of the complicated laws of finance. Without any
effort nj oratoricaI display he made felt the weight
~ an umblemished reputation frank, straightforward
character, and OF sound Views, which ne expressed
in the fewest. teTsest words Ills course III
Congress was marked by independence OF judgment
and moderation, and he won the confidence ana az
tachment of men of both parties. His social position
house Of Samuel Hooper, of Massachusetts, ana there
entertained many guests.
MADE MINISTER TO FRANCE
In $780, members Of the Ohio delegation at the Ma
tlonal Republican Convention, after General GARFIELD
had been nominated for President, urged Mr.. Morton
TO accept the nomination for VccPresdent He de-
cllned, and General Arthur was nominated Tor the
Office. President Garfield offered Dir. Morton tho
Office of Secretary Of the Navy which Inc iatter uc-
clncd. He did accept nom President Garfield, how
ever the appointment Of Minister to France. These
bonors President Garfield desired 10 confer as reward
for Mr. Moroh's faithful and effective work for him
self while the contest for the Presidency was In prog
ress Mr. Morton's business relations had taken him
many times to Europe lie was well acquainted with
Paris His first step was TO remove the American
Legation offices TO moro suitable place. They were
situated laundry and grocery store lie hired
a fine mansion for the United States assuming some
financial risk The house in good neighborhood,
and IL quickly became the place I'm Paris where the
leading politicians of France RoyalIst, Republican
and Radical, could socially meet. The diplomacy Of
the United states was much smoothed by It. Mr. Nor
ton able to secure from the French Cabinet re-
scnding Of the prohbitory edct against the American
hog but the House of Deputies insisted upon the re-
tentlon of the law Mr.. Morton hammered the first
nail in the construction of the Statue Of Liberty,
Gently erected In NewYork and delivered speech on
June IS, 1854, accepting the statue in behalf Of the
American Government. He present at the
yelling of the of Lafayette lie Put, the birth
place Of the French patriot. Through Mr.. Morton's
acquaintance with bankers and manufacturers, the
commercial relations Of France and the United States
made to run smoothly throughout his term.
With the coming into power Of Democratic Admin
israon at Washington, he of course returned home,
and since then has held no Office.
Mr.. Morton made his exit from his post IN Paris in a
GRACEFUL dlgnfed and pleasant manner lie had been
IL.
official or social life, were sorry to have him go. Ho
was extremely obliglng. was glad to promote any
American interest and generally showed great
tact in his official and social relations lie also
showed American capacity for getting quickly post
ed, taking soundings and acting according to them.
In January, 1888, Mr.. Morton was candidate for
United States Senator before the Republican
Mr.. Evarts however, nominated and elected, tho
vote in the caucus bcing-Evarts, G1; Morton, Is;
Depew, 8.
In 1887, Mr. Morton again candidate for
United States Senator. He received thirty-thre
votes the first ballot, against eleven for Mr. His
cock, forty three for Mr.. Miller, aud sIxtyone Dem
ocratic votes for Smith VI. Weed. on the second bal
lot Mr. Hi,cocA received the entire Republican vote
and was elected.
HIS MANIFOLD CHARITIES.
Mr.. Morton's manifold charities. his benevolent dis
position, and his efforts On behalf Of others are well
known TO his friends, though the world az large has
not heard much Of them In 1850 Congress, moved |
by the suffering in Ireland placed the ship Constellation
at the disposal of any willing send relief to that
afflicted land Some weeks afterwan Mr.. Morton |
learned that no ocr had been made to load the vessel
Thereupon hc addressed letter to The Herald" In
which he said: You AUTHORIZED to announce that
gentleman known to you, who declines TO have bis
made public, offers to pay for oneQuarter Of the
cargo of the Constellation II other parties will make up
the balance" At the same time he had determined
10 furnish the entire cargo II there any delay In
securing other aid. The proprietor Of 1.-THE |
Herald" however, and W. II. Grace contributed |
each onc-quartcr, and other gentlemen fur |
lished the remainder. The people OF this |
city will probably recall the Rockaway Beach ln- |
prOvement troubles In the summer OF 1850, wien BOO
workmen were unable TO obtain their wages because |
Of the financial ruin in which the gigantic hotel en-
terprise had been involved. Certificates of Indebted
ness were issued the workmen but they were useless
the men, who needed food for their wives and chill
iren At this juncture Mr.. Morton Joined the house
Of Drexcl, Morgan Co., and each contributed $50,
900 for the relief of the worlngmen. They paid tho
full amount Of the certificates and declined to accept
any discount.
In 1885 he gave to Dartmouth College a house and
lot Rollins Chapel, for which he had paid $4,000
Tho gift was for tho purpose Of enabling tho college
10 erect an art gallery and museum When Mr.. Nor
ton made Minister to France, Dartmouth conferred
Dn him the degree o. L. D.
Mr.. Morton heartily in favor Of the oleomar
garlne laws passed by the Legislature of this State
in 1854, 1859 and 1856 In letter written by him
N the latter year, he said: II am heartily In accord
with any proposed legislation that will protect the
LARRY interest and l should doem 1t my duty to
lcsty support the passage of any law calculated
suppress fraud in the imitation of products that go
nto daily consumption, especially those from the
larry, in which industry so large a number Of our
people are engaged believe that after the expo
iencc We have had OF the operation OF the present
aw Congress would consider favorably tho PROPOSE
ion to make such changes in it would more effect
ally prevent tho sale Of oleomargarine for natural
,uiter In the future"
HIS CITY HOME
Mr. MortOn's home I'm this city, at No S. FIffh.ave |