The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-06-28
LEVI P. MORTON.
Republican Candidate for Vice Presi-
dent,

Republican Candidate for Vice Presi-
dent.
The following is more extended sketch
of the republican candidate for vice presi-
dent than appeared in the MORNING News
the day following his nomination:
Levi P. Morton was born at Shoreham,
Vt, in 1926. Although he is 60 years old,
he is so sprightly in movement and ruddy
in the face that he seems not more than so.
His father was minister on a salary of
5000 year. The family is English, and the
first one TO come to America was George
Morton, who arrived in 1923 Young Lew
got district school education at Shoreham,
and went to work while boy as clerk in a
dry goods store in Concord. When 81 he
opened dry goods store for himself there,
and after four years he went to Boston and
went into the firm of Beebe, Morton 81 Co.
That was in 1S49. After five years he came
to New York and founded the house of
Morton 81 Grinnell, dry goods dealers.
They failed for 80 cents on the dollar at the
outset of the war. MIR Morton managed
to start banking house in 1868, and since
then he has made lots of money. Not long
after the failure he invited the creditors of
the firm to dine with him. Under the plate
of each was found check for the amount
of Indebtedness. Mr. Morton was not
legally required to pay these debts, and the
act won him many friends George Bliss
became member of the firm in 1868, and
it took the name it now holds Of Morton,
Bliss & Co.
Mr.. Morton enlarged his banking bust
ness in 1868 by founding house in London,
his chief partner there being Sir John
Rose, some time financial minister of
Canada. Specie payment in the United
States was fostered by the two Morton
houses. They, with some other firms, man
aged to get out a big lot of per cent.
bonds. This, and other transactions, have
made Mr.. Morton's business prominent in
Wall street. One of his largest pieces of
work was the sale, through syndicate of
English buyers, of $50, Co., 900 of New York
Central railroad stock.
In 1876 Mr.. Morton was named for con-
gress. He was beaten then, but elected in
1878 His forte in congress was the treat
ment of financial affairs. After Garfield
had been nominated Mr. Morton was urged
to take the vice presidency by the Ohio
delegation. He declined. An appointment
as secretary of the navy, rendered by Presi-
dent Garfield, was also declined, and instead
the assignment of minister to France was
accepted. He distinguished himself there in
a social way, and moved the office of the
American legation from rooms over a
laundry to private house.
After returning to New York Mr.. Morton
became prominent as a candidate for the
senate, but was beaten by Mr.. Evarts. He
was in the field also when Hiscock was
elected.
Both at Washington and in New York
Mr.. Morton has been prominent in society.
His home in New York is big stone house
at Fifth avenue and Sixteenth street. 1t is
magnificently furnished. One Of tho inter
esting Thugs is photograph of the old
store where Mr.. Morton began commercial
life. Many of TIE other pictures are of
scenes and persons associated with his career
as minister to France.
In local affairs Mr.. Morton has been well
known. His wealth and business connec-
tons and political ambitions all have made
him prominent. He has a summer home at
Newport, and lately purchased 200 acres at
Rhinebeck, where he intends to build an
other summer house. 1t was the estate Of
William Kelly, and is called "Ellerslie."