Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-07-05
state and the NatIonaI Assoelati0n d

State and the National Association of
Democratic Clubs.
The following was also submitted by
the same committee, and was adopted;
The convention sincerely dcplores the
death of the President Of the French
Republic und desires TO emphasize its
SYMPATHY with the endeavor to porpetuate
Democratic principles in foreign lands,
and II hereby condemns tendency to
anarchy and assassination.
CAREER OF WILLIAM NJ, SINCERITY.
William NJ. Sngerly is native of
Philadelphia, where lie was born on
December eth, 1882, and where, with
the exception of brief period, he has
lived ever since. His father was Joseph
Singerly, one of the originators OF the
street railway system OF that city, from
whom his son has inherited his marked
business ability. After graduating from
the Philadelphia High School In 1850,
MIR. SinGerly spent 10 years in produce
commission house and acquired Il thor
ough commercial training, He was
atterward engaged with his father in
the management of his street Car lines,
and then went to Chicago, where he
was In business for himself as q com
mission merchant. Recalled to Phila-
delphla by his father to assume the
management of the Germantown Pas
senger Railway Co., he proved a highly
successful manager, extended the sys-
tenn and eventually disposed of it on
highly advantageous terms.
All this time Mr.. Singerly was an
enthusiastic and answering Democrat,
active in the councils of the party in
Philadelphia, and always eager to pro-
mote Its interests in the city, State and
nation. A fine opportunity for this pre-
sented itself to him in 1877, when he
bought the Philadelphia Record, then n
feeble Journal, with a circulation of less
than 6,000 copies daily. Mr.. Slngerly
Immediately strengthened il in every de-
partinent, introduced aggressive methods,
and made it what il now is, the foremost
penny paper of the United States, with
an average circulation of about 10000
copies daily.
This remarkable feat was performed
in the face of the fact that Philadelphia
is the most strongly Republican large
city in the United States, and that The
Record has antagonized the theories
most cherished by its people, such as
protection. Mr. Singerly was u tariff
reformer long before that issue became
a popular one in the United States, and
through his paper has always battled
brayely for a vigorous reduction in the
tariff duties, especially on the raw ma.
terials of industry, believing that only
in this way could American manufac-
turers reach the foreign markets. re-
quired for the extension and prosperity
of their business. lie took this stand
as manufacturer himself, having been
for many years interested in large wooden
and cotton establishments.
While The Record may be said to he
Mr. Singerly's pet, in which he takes
the greatest pride, it is but one of many
diversified interests that claim his atten-
ton. He is a heavy real estate owner in
Philadelphia, having erected over | 900
houses there, in addition to a splendid
home for his paper.
In 1887, upon the retirement of
Governor Pattison from office, Mr..
Singerly took an active part in estab-
fishing the Chestnut Street National
Bank, of which the ex-governor became
the first president. Upon Mr.. Pattison
being called for second time to the
governorship OF Pennsylvania Mr..
Singerly succeeded him as president of
the bank, a position he still holds. He
is also president of the Chestnut Street
Trust and Savings Fund Co., and has
large interests in number of COM
mercial, manufacturing and other estab-
llshments.
In seeking Tor relaxation from the
cares Of business Mr.. Singerly has for
many years taken keen interest in
farming and stock raising. His herd of
Holsteln cattle at his large farm at
Gwynedd, in Montgomery county, were
famous for years and he is now
the owner of the Elkton Stock Farm,
near Elkton, Cecil county, Nd, in the
welfare of which he takes a deep in
terest. At Elkton he also possesses one
of the largest paper and pulp mills in
the United States, from which he sup
plies not only paper for his own journal,
but for large outside interests as well.
Notwithstanding the pressure of all
these great interests upon him, Mr..
Singerly has always taken an ardent in
terest in politics; and no man is better
known in Democratic circles throughout
the State than he. He has never held
office, however, except the honorary
position of commissioner of Paramount
Park, in Philadelphia, as a non.salared
office, which requires him to devote con-
siderable time to the wants of that great
pleasure-ground In the Presidential
campaigns of 1884, 1888 and 1899 Mr..
Singerly was especial active, always
supporting Grover Cleveland with all
the vigor at his command. Heand Presi-
dent Cleveland are close personal friends.
They are in entire harmony in their
views on tariff reform, a sound currency
and other leading issues. The part re-
Gently taken by Mr.. Singerly in bring
ing together the opposing Democratic
factions i'll Philadelphia and securing
nominations of Democrats to important
Federal offices is too fresh in the public
mind to require further notice.