The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-02-06
Hon. Thomas G. Platt.



The Hon. Thomas Platt, president
OF the United States Express Company
and ex-senator of the United States. is
one of the few Americans who have
achieved distinction both political and
commercial. He was born July 18th
1888, at Owego. the capital of Tioga
county, New York. After receiving q
commOn-school and academic education
IN that town he entered Yale College as
member of the class OF 1858 His col
legiate career was never completed, i'll
health compelling him to leave before
he had reached his Senior year. On his
return from college he entered politics
and made such progress that he was
nominated as a Representative in the
Forty second Congress for the district
comprising Broome, Tioga, Tompkins,
and Schuyler counties. He was elected
and though a stranger to Washington,
upon its expiration he was renominated
by acclamation, and elected to the Forty
third Congress by largely increased
ma ority.
From the House of Representatives te
the Senate is butone step. This, though
undertaken by many. especially in the
Empire State, is taken by but few.
Among these was Mr. Platt, who was
elected to that high Office by the New
York Legislature in January, 1881. He
retained his chair only five months, re-
signing May II, 1881, on account OF pc
litical complications. Although he has
held no official Office since that time he
has taken an active part in State-craft,
and for the past eight years has been
one Of the acknowledged but uncrowned
leaders of the Republican party in both
the State and the nation At 81! the
great conventions of that party he has
been largely instrumental in determining
the candidates chosen and in framing
the policy and platform of each year.
Of greater Importance from purely
partisan standpoint has been his work
in managing the campaigns of his or
ganization. From his remarkable knowl-
|
well as from his excellent memory OF
men. places, and events, he has probably
done far more for the success of his party
and the admirable action of its ma
chinery than any other citizen of the
Empire State. Opinions may differ as
to his craftsmanship and his grasp OF
events Of national Importance, but there
can be no difference of opinion as to his
high genius as q politician and man of
public affairs.
Great as is his reputation in the po-
litical arena. it is equally great in the
vast industry which has been created 10y
the necessities Of American ife-the en-
press business. In no other countries
are such distances to be trayersed and
such freights to be transported Where
in England. France, and Germany it in
wolves thousands of dollars, it involves
millions in the United States. A faint
idea of its magnitude may be gathered
from the fact that Mr.. Platt's company
employs over 10000 men, has railroad
! mileage in this country alone of $4,000
miles, uses a capital of $4,000, 000, and
transacts business in more than 1900
offices under its own control. and 1900
with which it is commercially related
His connection with the express com
pany business began in July, 1879, VIXEN
he was appointed General Agent of the
United States Express Company. He
filled the, position SO satisfactorily that