New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-12

1888 was ? %; Hills 5,223 The Italian vote in
in this district is increasing every year. ahd
with proper effort the larger part OF IL couIu
be brought into the Republican line, ior the
Italian is naturally Republican. Peter Mitchell,
Mike" NOrtonS successor as Clvil 1aStbGt, rs
the Talnmany leader now, but his arbitrary
methods are making him unpopular, ana ne may
be depoSed if lullaney continues to increase III
strength. The Republican leader Is eN-f9llce
Commissioner Stephen B. French, who has long
been known In city, State, ana even Natlonal
politics. ... ,,
led more stirring and adventurous lives IMAM
Mr. French He has been a whaler in the North
seas. a miner in California, way PACK Ill Uhe
romantic days Of 40, vOy39er ana tracer anlons
the islands Of the South Pacific, hotel keeper
and shipowner III San Francisco, the proprietor
of an express line from that city to the MINES ana
finally n politician of the most acllNe KIM. vi
Huguenot descent. Mr.. French was born az RIVER
heod T. l. i'm 1929 When Il boy lie worked In
the office of Captain John Judd, OF Sag tlarbor,
who was actively engaged in the whaling business.
Ifo had hundo three years voyage before he was
eighteen So well pleased was he with 1t that
when lac came back la Sag llarDor IN 1917 he
decided to make the whaling business his occupa-
tion for life In less than eighteen months came
Tho startling news that gold had been discovered
i'm California On February :, lS40, Mr.. French
sailed with n party of ninety from sag lialDor
on the ship SabIna for the Golden Oate. lhey
went around Cape ll0rn arriving at San Francisco
inst six months from the day they left home.
Then began life full of adventure, toll, prlva-
tion and ever-changing foTtune-wOrking on Den
whaleboat digging for gold IN the river beds
returning TO keep hotel at San Francisco, running
from there n vessel TO the Sandwich Islands and
an express to tho northern mines, starting store
AT Marysville and finally making and losing III
five wears 10 less than three moderate fortunes.
In 1854 Mr. French came back to Sag mar
Dor and entered business with his brother Al
fer the death of his wife Mr.. French entered pol
tics He was a Wing and became Republican.
His first public office that OF Treasurer or
Suffolk County, TO which he was elected and re-
elected by a Gathering vote. In ga he was beaten
for Congress. although carrying the district out
side Long Island City AS candidate for County
Treasurer again in 1873 he was beaten by a
meagrc majority Of II votes after running GOO
ahead OF his ticket In February of 1875 Pres-
dent Grant appointed him Appraiser Of the Port
of New-York. lie came here TO live in 1877. In
May 1879. he appointed Police Commissioner
and elected president of the Board the following
wear This office he held until two years ago. when
Tammany Hall destroyed the non-partisan charac-
ter Of the Police Board by putting Jimmy Mar
tin in Frenchs place. Since then Mr. ffench mas
been dcvoting himself to business, except what
he has done toward recognizing the affairs OF
tie With District of which he was chosen leader
In 1880 and reelected with opposition ut the polls
last month. In a recent biography of Mr. French
this was said Of him: lie never forgets favor
or forsayes a friend. His sympathies are with the
masses; his character Is positive; his convictions
decided his action prompt, oute and some,
times mpnlsiye; his generosity Is unoounded.
Daniel Mooney is president OF the district OF
ganizatiOn. The delegates to the County Com