Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-05
POLITICAL LIFT.

cSN A'NNAN A4NSy Z" Se'NN ~ -
POLITICAL LIFT.
Mr.. Smith first entered into politics in
1876, when he was made chairman OF the
Fulton County Executive Committee. In
that year he was verv ardent supporter
of Senator Colquitt, who was an asplrant
for cubernatorlal honors, Mr.. Colqultt
was elected. In the same year Mr.. Smith
supported Mr.. Tilden for the presidency
and worked increasingly for his success.
Mr.. Smith and General Gordon were first
drawn closely together during General
Gordon's senatorial campaign. during
which Mr.. Smith was an Indefatigable
worker for General Gordon's success, .,
In June, 1887, Mr. Smith organized and
became president of the Atlanta Evening
Journal Company. Under his direction
the paper has become one of the leading
, afternoon journals of the South. During
the last presidential campaign the J0mro!
was vigorous IN its advocacy of Mr.. Cleye-
| land.
Secretary of Agriculture.
Hon. J. Sterling Morton. the Secretary
| of Agriculture, mas probably had tho most
varied experience OF any man IN the new
Cabinet. He IS Michigan man by olrth,
and the late Wilbur L. Story, proprietor
of the Chicago Times in Its palmiess days,
was a close kinsman of bis. For years MIR.
| Morton was an editorial contributor 10 the
columns of that famous paper. He was q
| pioneer in Nebraska, the State in which he
has lived SO long, going out there two
years before the government surveyors.
He was just II years old then, and he took
up square mile of farming land near
| where Nebraska City Is now located. He
studied law and practiced some. but 1t
was too dry for a man of his incliDations.
| He started q newspaper and was also the
! pioneer of.prIntlng Ill Nebraska.
Mr.. Morton might also be termed the
pioneer in politics IN Nebraska. lie be-
came the Secretary OF the Territory when
| il was made q Territory. He was after
1 ward Governor of the Territory. Nebras-
ka was admitted into the Union in 1861.
and Mr. Morton ran for Governor on the
! Democratic ticket. His especial ann was
| to secure the election of Democratic
Legislature. But be failed in both, and at
the urgent request of his wife he did not
run for office during her lifetime.
BIS wlFE's TOMBSTONE.
Mrs. Morton died IN 1881. On the tomb
| stone of Mrs. Morton he had carved also
| his own name and the names of his sons.
| He showed the tombstone TO his sons. " IL
/ either Of you" said he, does dishOnor-
able thing will have his name chiselled
| of that stone"
None of the young Mortons ia likely to
! have his name taken of the tombstone.
| They are fine young men. They are three
In number. Two remain in business In
| Nebraska CITY. but Paul. the oldest. Is en-
gaged in enterprises IN Colorado and Chi
/ cagO.
Mr. Morton, after the death OF his wife,
regularly ran for Governor on the Demo-
cratic ticket, aud each time lowered the
Republican majority.
Although 81 years old, Mr. Morton is q
, man OF exceedingly vigorous personality.
In the Cabinet he viii make his person.
atty felt in the Department of Agriculture.
His homestead. called "Arbor Lodge,
near Nebraska City, is one Of the most
charming of county residences.
In addition to his fine oratorical ability
in canvass Mr.. Morton is q great after
dinner speaker. being full of fun and anec-
dote.