New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-27
W. W. PHELPS FOR GERMANY
HE ACCEPTS THE APPOINTMENT AHD Al
ONCE QUALITIES.

HE ACCEPTS THE APPOINTMENT AND Ar
ONCE QUALITIES.
PRIVATE BUSINESS WILL DELAY nrs BETuM
TO BERLIN FOR SHORT TIxI-HM
PUBLIC CAREER.
Washington. June 2s-The President to-day sps
pointed William Walter Phelps, Of New-Jersey, 70
be Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pienipctanr
tiary of the United States to Germany. In pre-
senting the appointment TO Mr.. Phelps, the Prest-
dent said IL was his reward, which naturally was
highly gratifying to the recipient Mr.. Phelps wsut
at once to the Department of State, where his com
mission was Immediately made out ard he We
qualified as United States Minister to Germany.
Mr.. Phelps will not proceed to his new post for
some time. He feels that he has earned rest and
needs time for the adjustment Of his private bas-
ness, and he will go TO his home in New-Jersey In
day or two
William Walter Phelps, Of Ncw.Jersey. who hes bcsn
appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pisni
potentiary to Germany born In this city on Augns
"a, 1882 Tho first Of his ancestors In this country
was William Phelps, brother Of John Phelps, ohv9
CromwelPs private secretary He csme to this coun-
try in 1890 and settled Slmsbury. Conn HIS
grandson, John Jay Phelps, was the first NJ the
family to leave simsbury for this city. Here b
made fortune importer. and organized the
Delaware, Lsckawana and Western Railroad Company,
OF which be was for long time president his sons
william Walter Phelps, was early sent to Yale, where
he honors and stood second In his class ~
his graduation In 1860. Then, after travelling IN
Europe he completed his law studies at the Columbia
Law School, from which be was graduated IN 1888.
Entering active practice he became counsel for ehe
Rock Island and the Delaware, Lsckawana and West
ern railroads. the United States Trust Company the
City Bank, and other corporations. before - was
thirty years old His work Is a lawyer attracted
especial attention, and when Justice Barrett resigned
his place on the bench Of the With District Court
Governor Fenton appointed Mr. Phelps to the vacancy,
but he declined the ofice In 1859 the death OF his
father who had left him the bulk OF his properly,
compelled him to retire from active practice and TO
give his time to tho management Of the estate and
the trusts connected with It,
In 1872 Mr.. Phelps. who then, ss now, mado ~
home at Teaneck near Englewood, n. j., eiootsd
TO the XLIIId Congress as q Republican, from ms
With New-Jcrsey District He at once took hign rnk
as debater and became noted one OF the few men
10 whom the House would always listen. No man
in many years made so brilliant . reputation In 80
short time aud his ability was at once recognized
by the Republican leaders OF the House, with whom
he worked as an equal He discussed in his hrss
term the questions Of banking and currency, the RANK
ing privilege, tho Pacific Mail subsidy and tho govern
ment OF the Southern States, and he was one Of ne
(Ongessmen
League outrages In Louisiana. Although On ardent
Republ,can. Mr. PHELPS was independent n Judgment
and action and he spoke and voted against me Clvn
Rights bill a. bein. unconstitutional and rs tenons
TO iniure rather than benefit the negro raco HIS
vote cost him his reelection by seven votes 10 ie'A'
but later events showed that his position wN souno-
The Supreme Court declared the law unconsutuflons
and the colored people Of his district scknowedes
that they were wrong in thinking Mr. Pheips Wa
not their friend In 1881, while MI. fneips
WA abroad for his health he wS maas
Minister 10 Austr1s by President Garfield, Nuoousn
he had not been On applicant for the post. HIS
familiarity with the language and custarns a she
country his liberal mode Of life and his mtsnss
Americanism made him . vauabls rcpTosents8So
Whom General Arthur became President MI fneP'
rendered his resignation, finally retiring m August
1882 Although he declined To Do csndnae ZOE
the Congressional nomination that year, the con-
yentson nominated him and he was elected 20 me
XLVIIIth Congress He was also reelected 70 tns
XIIXtb and Ih Congresses, always running hundreds
Of votes and sometimes thousands, ahead OF ms
ticket. His assignment on commhoees rcquhe" On"
to give much attention TO foreign anars' "u' NO
also took special interest in discussions on 'ne
tariff. the merchant marine and the CongressionA
Library. In his first term In Congress MI. fnoPs
became warmly attached 10 Mr. Blaine, then speaAses
OF the House, and his ardent supporter ~ S .n
Go9yonSn' Ss Sa St 1870 isSS a9a
Jersey Mr. Phelps has been nosrM IN nus rs
donations TO Yale College ana was insGunohse.
securing to the alumni a share In the government OK
tbe Institution. He Is Regent OF the smithsontsa
Institution and fellow Of the corporation OF iAc'
was vicepreslden of the Yale Alumni Assoc,soon'
pres drnt of the Columbia Law school Alumni as.
socIafion and founder Of the Union League ana
University Clubs. Early IN March OF this year nj;
Phelps was made one OF he commissioner .nt 40 40
negotIap with Germany respecting the samoa and On
Monday he re turned with the treaty agreed upon oy
the conference. -.,-- .....
Among Mr. Phelps's more notable speeches sspar-
atey published arr those on me Franhng Pr'VheseI
Fehr,ary "a 1874 Sound currency, ApHi
l. 1874; tho CIVIL Rights bill, February :,
is75: FttzJohn Porters case. FEBRUARY ~
iSsa the Lasker ResoluttOnsf Mach ~,
an Grafton before General Grant and his Cabinet
NJ a Grand Army Reunion in Paterson n ~ ON
). The Dangers of War; and one at Mount Hoily ~ y.
on Derorston Day 1856. on Z" The Dangers OF Peace
a tariff address before tho Agricultural socov, OF
Sow Jersey February 5, 1884, and one on Congress
Sefor the New-Eng gland society. New-York, Decempes