New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-23

McGraw respectfully but firmly refused 10 give such
a gathering any official sanction or TO appoint dele
gates Perhaps then the majority OF his party In
Washington not in sympathy with this action;
but they have come to recognize the soundness OF
his Views and the pronounced position taken by
them on the currency question is personal tri-
umph for Mr. McGraw, and from present indca-
lions will result his election to the United States
Senate next winter.
He is the recognized leader OF his party In the
State and has been for many years. and to his
good Offices tho present Senator Watson C. Squire.
unauestionably owes his seat. Mr.. Squire. after
many years OF the enjoyment of the highest honors
I'm the gift OF his party and with honorable Army
record and personal career back of him. In the vain
hope Of retaining his seat by fusion of his former
antagonists the Populists and Democrats. aided by
Silver Republicans. has thrown over his friends and
his party and come out latfooted for silver ana
Bryan.
Governor McGraw has fought many hard polt-
ica fight for his friends and some for himself ana
has never yet suffered defeat. II Is not believed
that he will in this instance Mr.. McGraw pos
sesses abilities of a high order and is hard worker
and sound thinker lie is lacking I'm the inner
graces OF oratory but he has what is better. great
earnestness and perfect sincerity and is extreme
ly convincing speaker. Personally he is genial and
"a good fellow" He Is a delightful companion
and has a large circle of devoted friends. Although
he has been much i'm public life and has been a
leading factor In politics Tor many wears, MS pr
sonal character has never been smrched by the
slightest faint nor his honesty questioned HIS
popularity in his home county Of King, which con-
tans the city of Seattle. is evidenced by the fact
that when he candidate for the Governor
ship party lines obliterated. and King County
which has a normal Republican majority of about
Loo gave him 1854.
His career is interesting. He born in Penob-
scot County. Me- forty-six years ago. and during his
early infancy his father drowned In the Penob-
scot River leaving his family In straitened circum-
stances Several years later his mother married a
second time but the famiy's condition was evidently
not improved thereby for 1t is related that the Wear
ing Of an old pair OF his stepfathers boots got the
boy into trouble with the district schoolmaster lie
was 4 member OF a class lined up for recitation when
the pedagogue noticed that young Mc(iraws boots
projected several inches beyond the crack in the floor
which the remainder of the class toeing and the
how was sharply instructed to step back into line
Too Inundated TO make an explanation, Mctiraw
shuffled back and thereby brought his body several
inches out of line in the opposite direction Believing
that he was being made the butt of a boylsh prank
the schoomaster called the youth mp and punished
him severely.
The struggle for existence made II necessary for
few terms at a country school 10 suffice for his educa-
on and after several years Of hard work he and his
brother became the proprleors Of a small general
merchandise store. They were victims OF the busl-
Wccrau started for san Francisco His first EN-
nIoyment on the Pacific coast driving bobta
car After a few months spent in San Francisco hc
went 10 Seattle where he has lived for the last
twenty wears lie secured employment as hotel
clerk and after a time had small hotel OF his own
This was destroyed by fire and he was again peAness
He was Obliged to seek employment. and secured a
place on the police force where the zeal ana great
personal courage ne exhibited attracted favorable
attention. held the combined offices OF city
| marsha, and chief Of police, ana later served as
| sheriff for several terms. He FEARLESS Onlcer
and put down with firm hand several attempts al
riotois disturbances During his spare time he de-
| voted himself to the study Of law and was admitted
| 10 the bar He formed partnership with Roger >
| Greene ex-Chief Justice Of Washington Territory
| and q n Hanford now United States District Judge
| under the firm name OF Greene. HanfOrd 4 Mc(iraw
The firm took high rank. Later he became president
Of the First National Bank OF Seattle which position
| no still retains, and retired from the practice OF
Tho law 10 devote himself to the management OF tina
| institution He has been for many years interested
in numerous enterprises In his home city OF Seattle
| and other parts OF the Northwest.
| Four years ago the exigences seemed 10 demand
that he accept the nomination for the Governorship
md ne was elected His administration has been abb.
| and bisnesske. Law and order have been rgidN
| naintained In conjunction with his former law
| mariner Judge Hanford. the Coxey movement was
efrecuaily put down in Washington and the leaders
were punished while II still going on Throughout
| the Fast Governor Mc(;raw's public utteranccs
| have heen models Of expression and sense He has
DeclIar administrative ability and Is natural or
| yanizer and leader The deficiencies OF his earlier
| Education have been supplied He has read widely
and has a correct and discriminating literary taste
His career TO have but begun. The ilght ne j
leading in his State in the present struggle TO uphold
| ,he National honor and credit against combination
NJ all opDOsng forces vii, be watched with interes
| far beyond the limits OF Washington.