New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-24
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.

Robert Cumming schenck born in the town o1
Franklin Warren County ohio, on October A, looo'
His father General william G. schenck An early SET
tier in the Miami Valley, was an eihclent onccr III
the Northwestern Army under General William 81.
Harrison and afterward member OF the ONO
General Assembly. lie died at Columbus in January,
1-21 while attending session Of the Assembly. Ills
ancestor Roeof Martcnse schenck, emisrated from
Holland to New-Amstcrdam in 1850. one OF General
w. C. schcIcks sons. James Findlay, attained the
rank Of Rear Admiral in the Navy, ana dieu at Day oh
on December 2l l-72
After his fathers death Robert c. schenck was
placed under the guardianship Of General James Find
law Of Cincinnati. but he continued 10 reside with ms
mother at Franklin until his fifteenth year, "hch 10
entered the sophomore class at Miami University OK
ford Ohio in November. 1874. lie was graduated IN
soptemhcr 1877 but remained at oxford, reviewing
and extending hi, studies and employing part of his
time as tutor Of French and Latin, until 1850, when
he received his masters degree. In November l7-''
lie entered the law Office of Thomas Corwin at
Lebanon aud III the following January he
wa, admitted to the bar as attorney, counsel
Ior-atlaw and solicitor in chancery Removing
70 Dayton began the practice of law with Joseph
H. Crane and three years later he formed partnership
with Peter Odn. which continued Until the beginning
Of nj, active political and public life lie was very
successful in hi, practice his legal requirements, tact
and ability advocate being IN ready dehand'
HIS ENTRY INTO POLITICAL LIFE.
In 1-3- Mr.. >,henck candidate for the AS
sembly on the WMg ticket. but he was defeated
Three wears later he elected 10 the Assembly,
Having acquired considerable reputation as speaker
in the campaign o lao, which only Oho's greater
orator Thomas Corwin popuarly held his superior.
he was AZ acknowledged a a leader IN opposing
the scheme, Of the Democratic majority In the Le5is-
laturc. and at extra session he defeated oy MS
energy and ability an attempt TO force through With
ont consideration an obnoxious opportionnent bill.
lie wa, n. elected in 1-il and increased his popularity
by measures for internal Improvements and for econ
omy in the state finances.
In l-43 he had risen 30 rapidly the estimation Of
his party that he nominated for Congress. lie
carried hi, district by than the full majority
and was reelected for each succeeding term until
1850 when he declined "A denomination. serving from
December 4. l-43. 10 March 3, l-5i. During hls
Congressional career Mr.. >chenck ranked among the
first as an efficient and practical statesman. lie
| understood every subject upon which he spoke ane
he was quick rcpartcc, keen. punsen and satircaL
lie was soon recognized one Of the Whis leaders and
gained a National reputation. He came to be known.
as an anti slavery Whis in fact, almost free soil
Whg. but he was conservative, ana agreed manly
with Corwin. The intensity Of his nature and tho
profoundly character Of his conv' tons led TO
a peculiar bitterness, in his attacks upon hl' oppo-
ncnis which continued to characterize him throughout
his public career His popularity depended solely
upon hi, abilities. lie too proud to solicit votes,
70 Yield 10 prejudice, to adopt the ordinary arts
~ the polit,can lie served on important commit
tees in the House. and during his third term was
chairman of the Committee on Roads and Canals
MINISTER To SOUTH AMERICAN GOVERNMENTS.
Mr. schcnck wa, commissioned March l., Is3l'
hv President Fillmore q, Minister 10 Brazil. While
I'm Brazil he WAS. l-52. without solicitation on IN
part commissioned also as Minister 10 Uruguay, the
Argentine Confederation and Paraguay, TO conclude
trcatic, of general commerce. John = Pendleton,
Charge dAfaircs at Eueno, AyreS. was associated
with him In these negotiations. several treaties were
made by which the United states would have gained
advantages never accorded To any European nation.
ht from neglect or nadvcrtcnce the senate failed 10
ratify them. The treaty with the Argentine Con-
federation provided. among other things. for the free
navigation Of the La Plata and it, tributaries.
Mr. schcnck left Rio de JancirO on october 8.
1898. and for some years took nc
active part in politics. lie was UNI
dcr,tood to sympathzc with the conservative wing Of
Tn, Republican party. but he personally di>ikcd and
! di,tr1I>tcd General Fremont. Ihi, feeling was az
eravatcd doubtless by hi, sympathy with the views %
hi, brother Commodore >chenoh. wlo having been on
duty on the Pacific Coast at the time, regarded Fre-
monts claim be considered the conqucrcr Of Cali
fornia a dishonest prctence. dcfrauding himself and
his friends of their just fame Political feeling and
personal distrst thus combined 10 keep Mr. schenck
ont of the Republican contest for Fremont and Day
ton in is56 lie engaged occasionally In i'm
portant law cases and president Of railway limo
from Fort Wayne TO the Mississippi.
ENTERS THE ARMY As \ BRIGADI ERGENERAL.
one evening in september, 1850. Mr.. sclcnclS ad
| dressed a meeting in Dayton, Abraham Lincoln hav
ing made a speech at the same place in the daytime
| Mr. schench then suggested that II an honest scnsi
hle man was wanted for the Presidency, IL would be
| well 10 nominate Mr.. Lincoln. The latter always
smoke Of this as the first suggestion of his name for
Pre-, ldcnt before any large assembly Or on public
| occa,on At the Chicago Convention Mr.. Schcnch
| WAS among his warmes supporters.
When the attack made on Fort Sumter, Mr
schenck offered hi services to President Lincoln and
| was commissioned brigadier general Of volunteers.
The appointment denounced as political one by
| those who held that the volunteer army should be
| orcered mainly by regulars. These attacks long
continued to follow every act OF the new brsadicr
| general whose great misfortune seemed to be that
| before the war he had been distinguished On June
| Il 1861 General Schcnck ordered to take pos