The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-28

If he goes out unhonored he also goes
out unhunG-in efiigy.
But Francis will do more than make
a good secretary in the interior. for he
vii not discount his official ability be-
fore it has been tested in national af-
fairs.
From a social standpoint this admin
istration has lacked a Whitney. 1t has
no social leader. and Washington So
ciety has not developed one Francis,
socially. is somewhat frivilous. He has
plenty of mOney-in fact. is Il mil
lionaire He has a beautiful wife, who
has as keen a relish OF social enjoy
ment as her husband. The last time
saw Francis it was at Chicago in the
throng about the Auditorium Annex.
Politically, he was out of it: for it may
be recalled that the Popullsts controlled
the day and season there.
Francis was standing along side of
Sam Culberson, of Indiana. They
are both rich and they are both good
looking. On this occasion they We're
dressed very much alike. They had on
bicycle suits, light brown in shade, but
very catchy golf stockings. Culberson's
shirt was pink Francis had a blue
one of the same tint. Francis talked
politics a moment. and then mounting
his wheel, he and Culberson started
for the jake shore to bicycle lunch
at Mrs. Potter Palmer's.
This Is merely an incident, but it
shows the social turn of mind Of
Francis. He is strictly business when
at his Office. and a Nineteenth Century
Chesterfield when out of it. He is the
leader in the smart set in st. Louis, just
as he is one of the best posted men in
the smarts Of the st. Louis board of
trade. He will entertain deliberately
here, and already has agents out look
ing for a house to do it in. He will
plunge in at once and take the social
lead for there is no rival in the cabinet
field. 1t will be set back for the
Brices. for heretofore they have relegat-
ed to themselves the social leaders of
this administration.
HE is ALSO LOYAL.
This Missourian is also loyal fell
low. This comes through his Kentucky
antecedents. He has a sufficient amount
of backbone to stick to a friend when in
trouble. When Thomas II. Crittenden,
then governor of Missouri. determined
to get rid of the Jesse James gang he
had n backer in Francis. Crittenden is
also of Kentucky blouded stock, and is
somewhat game himself. He bounded
down one desperate after another and
finally cleared Missouri of their raids
by Offering big reward for the leader,
Jesse James. This lead TO the assassin
alton of James by one of his own gang,
and so brutally and treacherously was
it done that the blood of James was laid
to the door of Crittenden. a public
denunCiation OF Crittcnden followed,
and at one time "A mob threatened to
wrcal< vengeance on their own COVER
nor He was called Il blood governor
and the tide of indignation which swept
over Missouri threatened political an
initiation of any man who might en-
dorsc Crittendens action. This aid not
lift the price offered for Frank James,
the dead bandit's brother. Crittcnden
said it should stand until Frank James
surrendered. This finally came about
by Frank James giving himself up to
Criitenden in the executive mansion.
When the prosecution began, and AN
other tidal wave of resentment swept
over the state. one by one Crittenden's
hackers fell behind. Vest became weak
kneed. and even the honest Cockrill
took to the woods. At this time Francis
came out as the open champion Of crit
tendcn. Time proved that he was right.
Missouri securities almost doubled. and
with the law restored came the rcStora-
ton of peace in that per:urbed state.
At the end of Crittcndens term of
office, as he himself said. IL could not
have been elected coroner of any town
in Missouri" 1t WAS about this time
that Cleveland was inaugurated for the
first time. and the governors friends
asked a diplomatic appointment for
him. Cleveland had taken up the fall
lacy, strange to say. that some how
or other Crittenden had been inStru-
mental in the murder Of jesse James,
and refused to give him the appoint
ment \ tart correspondence followed
in which Crittenden defended himself
as others do now. At any rate after
Mr.. Cleveland came into office again
il was none other than Francis who
became Crittenden's champion and en-
dors,d him for the post of consul gem
eral to Mexico. Gresham and Francis
together removed the last prejudice
from Cleveland's mind about the Jesse
James affair.
The son Of Jesse James is now study
ing law with Governor Crittenden's
son in st. Louis, and Francis has
cabinet portfolio tucked securely in his
pocket. one Of the first kilograms of
congratulations which Francis re-
ceived was from Mexico.
As Crittenden said Those DAYS in
Missouri We're times to try mems
friendship and Francis could be de-
pended upon at any hour Of the night"
No greater recommendation can be
given of any man than that paid to
Francis by his fellow ex-governor of
the same state. He is q square man
and an able official W. X. B.
Smallpox on Il ship.
Lewcs, Del, Aug. 27.-The Earn line
Joro C,ibn