Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-05-06
BRArNY SENATOR SMITH.

'i'' lhN' prominence w the Ioiluc5 VI view
ark, y, j. On the 4th Of March, last year he
took his seat in tile United States Senate us
the successor Of Rufus Dlodgett. on Tues
day, April H. this year he made speech In
tho Senate against tho income tax, which at
tHcted tho attention Of the whole country
and 1t is now conceded, with relation ~ tho
ia;e Of tho Wilson bill, that he is one OF the
most influential members Of the upper
house. Surely the character and career Of
man who has advanced 30 rapidly must be
an interesting study.
Jamos Smith. Jr.. the gentleman OF whom
! have been speaking, was born in Newark,
| N. D., In 1851. Ho was, therefore, only forty
two years OF age when he entered the United
States Senate, being one Of tho youngest men
in that body. He was educated at private
schools in his native city and at a college in
Wilmington. Del. His business life was be-
gun In tho dry goods trado In New York city,
but. as he did not take kindly to that pur-
suit, he soon returned to Newark, and en-
gagged In the manufacture OF patent and
en0mclcd leather. llo Ia now the sole owner
Of one Of tho largest concerns In that indus
tryin tho United States, tho product OF which
Is sold both hero aud abroad, and his firm
has gained the reputation Of making the best
carriage feathers In tho world, Mr. Smith
had not boon a business man very long before
his fortune and income Justified him In enter
ing into politics. The first public oflco that
| he sought was that Of alderman in the city Of
| Newark, and he was elected US Democrat
| IA q Republican ward by more majority than
all the votoD cast for the Republican candi-
date. This remarkable success resulted In
| his becoming leader Of his party In the
| following autumn he was unanimously nom
inatod for mayor but, as he had written u
letter to the convention declaring that he
would not accept n nomination, he stood by
his decision aud declined to BIO a candidate.
Essex county at that time was strongly Re-
publican. but under the direction OF Mr.
Smith tho Democracy was 30 strongly organ
lied that tho county became IA firmly Demo-
cratic as It had boon Republican, and finally
all the offices We're held by members of his
party, which continued In power until the re.
cent tidal wave Of Republican victory. Mr.
Smith had repeatedly declined political hon
ors, both state and local, that others attempt
ed to thrust upon him. When the board Of
street and water commissioners was crented
in the city Of Newark he consented to become
its president That, however, was an office
not at all In Keeping with tho power as a poll
tician that hs had attained for he was now
recognized as one OF the leaders OF the un.
dnuntcd Democracy of New Jersey.
Although Mr.. Smith had not been partle.
ubr adhorent OF Grover Cleveland, he saw in
1899 that the people demanded the nomipa-
ton OF MIR, Cleveland for president, and he.
conforming to thuir wishes In tho matter
won't to Chicago as delcgnte-at.larg from
his state, instructed to east his vote In tho
National Convention for that gentleman, He
accepted an Invitation to make tho Journey
IN tho private car OF W, @. Whitney, who was
IN chArE" OF Mr., Clovelnuds interests. Mr..
Smith made host OF friends In that conyen-
ton, and came home with record as one OF
the shrowdest OF the nations politicians.
mo legislature that was elected TO begin lts
sessions In January. 1898, was to elect
United States Senator TO mn tho place about
TO be made vacant by tho retirement of Ru.
ius Blodgctt. 1t had been supposed that
Leon Abbott then governor OF the State
would DO tue nominee OF the Democratic
caucus. But, strange TO say, Mr.. Abbott
seeing at tho last moment that he was doomed
to defeat, withdrew from tho contest. and Mr.. |
NlAllh was the unanimous choice OF tho mon
oil his party. So It happened that man who |
was only an alderman in tho city OF Newark |
III 1881, was able, ten years later, TO claim a
scat IN the Senate Of tho United States and |
10 Wlold tho power OF tho most conspicuous !
and most popular Democrat in New Jersey. |
Ihore have been very few achievements, oven |
In our politics, to compare with this.
hut this IL NOT ali A,,lth
mentally as his opportunitlos increase. and |
continually develops new talents that sur. |
PRISE MS friends, il not, indeed, himself.
before he won't TO the Senate mono OF his
heiShooH so much as suspected him Of boin,,
an orator He was known as plain, praoti-
eM talkor, capable OF expressing his views
IN intellglble language and as a man often
called upon to preside at important political
meetings. But that he would over have sum.
oleht command OF the grRces and magnetism
OF puphe speaking. to hold the attention of
inc members o, the Senate and TO IN the cal.
lores with Interested listeners, was boyonl
any ones bolioi. Yet, before Mr. Smith had
peeh Senator anywhere near a year. tho
period prescribed by old-hshioned "sona.
tofial courtesy within which IA new netnber
Q. 'nAt august assomhlage must remain
shont' he delivered an address upon the then
pending silver bill that was SO full OF sarcasm
ana wit and common sense and montal
ioree that It was reekoned one OF the finest
efforts Of that era Of spoeeh-making. and
When sat down he was congratulated upon
ms unexpected success, aud It was apparent
'ua' no had gone up several pegs in the esti.
nation OF his colleagues, His recent utter
ane' IN denunclatlon Of the Income tax pro-
poS,d IN the Wilson billwas still ablcr. seyonu
9, t " New York newspapers thought enough
Y. ~ 70 puat It IN full, Notwithstanding that
:, !. Nlled morn than pago OF their yalu.
NJ. space, II Will 30 concealed l think. That
shs iutnre holds glorious possibilities Tor 4,
ssna'or Who can thus Ruspiciously enter
ul,esn mo second year % his term.
Ni, slNith u As charming personally as he
superior politically. Always ready IN
opnse friend or serve constituent tho
people 81 New Jersey admire aim aud aro elad 3,
" ~ MN going higher and higher on tbe
.a1ef 81 iamo Such ability. true kindliness
'eaIy VII and executive ability form a nm
Nnlbinauoni and. after all, IL IS not 70 ~
Y '. onaefel az that they have led their possess.
y 10 such unrseal elcccss
GEoRor NJ. SarrH