Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1896-08-29

was made on Saturday, and II was
naturally expected that rs he had re:
tired because he felt obliged TO support
the nominees of his party Mt Chicago,
that his successor would DO in full
harmony with Mr.. Cleveland on the
money question.
Gov. Francis took n strong stand In
favor OF the gold standard In the pre-
liminary battle for delegates to tho
Chicago convention, but he and his
associates were disastrously beaten in
his state. During the convention he
was also active. In the convention he
has, It is said by his friends here, given
no public ut,erance rs to his position
with regard to the Chicago ticket, and,
SO far rs known. has not, at least nc.
lively. allied himself with the move
ment for the indianapolis convention.
Throughout his political career he has
been q strong supporter and q warm
friend of Mr.. Cleveland and the admin
istration. 1t Is recalled that when Mr..
Cleveland was Mt Lake Wood making
up his cabinet, prior to entering upon
his second term, ex-Gov. Francis was
summoned there, and there was o
strong impression for u time that he
would be given portfolio.
A SHORT SKETCH OF HIS Cancer
David Rowland Francis. late governor Of
Missouri. was born October I, 1870, In Rich
mond. Madison county. KY, which was also
his parents birthplace His ancestry Is Q
mixture Of Scotch. Irish and Welsh. In 1850
he came TO St Louis. where for four years he
attended the Washington university. gradual.
ing with tho degree Of A. b, In the class OF
1870 In the middle Of 1870 he began business
rs shipping clerk for Shryock & Rowland. Of
St Louis, and continued with them until they
went out OF business In April, 1871 In May,
1877, he began the grain business on his own
account and has continued In IL ever since. In
May, 1884, he was elected o delegate-at-Iarge
from Missouri to tho national democratic con-
vention at Chicago He was an active
worker for Cleveland md Hendricks He
was Vice president OF tho Merchants exchange
In 1883 and elected president In 1884, after one
OF the most exciting elections ever held by that
body In March. 1885. no was nominated for
the mayoralty OF St Louis on tho 18th ballot
He was elected by majority OF 1880 over
competitor who had served four years. and was
elected first by majority OF i4,0J0 One OF the
chief issues OF the campaign was cheap gaS
Mayor Francis distinguished himself by his
efforts In behalf OF cheaper rates One OF his
most important acts as mayor was his veto
Of the Electro elevated railway bill, which was
done because OF tho paltry sum which the
company offered for the franchise. II was
during his administration that 100000 was
reclaimed from the Missouri Pacific road ind
the interest reduced from seven and six per
cent to four and 36S per cent He was noml-
mated for governor by the democratic convcn-
ton In August. 1888, elected In the following
November. and inaugurated In January, 1889.
His administration was characterized. gener.
orally speaking, by prudence and economy.
Since his retirement from the ONCE OF govern
or he has been engaged In various
enterprises. He is looked upon as tho
leader Of the gold-Cleveland wing OF
the democratic party In Missouri. rs op.
posed TO tho silver wing. led by Gov. Stone
He Is the senior member Of the ID. X Francl
q Brother Commission Co, which was organ
lied and incorporated rs such In 1894, being the
outgrowth OF tho flrm OF d. X. Francis d
Brother. which was started In 1881 II Is ons
OF tho leading grain firms Of tho middle vest
Ex-Gov. Francis is millionaire and owns
controlling interests In several newspaper
companies In tho state.