The Princeton union., 1896-08-27
TO SUCCEED SMITH.
Ex-Gov. Francis Becomes Seeretnry
81 of the Interior.

81 of the InteHiOr:
Washington, Aug. 26. - Announces
ment was made by President CTeye-
land at Gray Gables to-day of the ap-
pointment of David r. Francis. ex-
governor of Missouri, as secretary of
lne interior, vice Hon. Hoke Smith,
VINO recently resigned because Of his
nnancla1 views. Mr.. Francis wills
probably assume Office Sept. 1, as, that
is the date named in Secretary Smiths
resignation.
Inc announcement rather surprised
Washington, more because of the sud-
denness with which it followed on
#dhe heels of the announcement of Mr..
smiths retirement tt an because of the
selection. The reasons for Secretary
omlths voluntary withdrawal from
tne CABINET We're understood as soon
as the announcement was made, and
IT was naturally expected that as he
had retired because he felt obliged to
support the nominees of his party at
Chicago that his successor Would he
IN full harmony with Mr.. Cleveland
on the money question. There was
feeling also that the president would
probably select Mr.. Smiths successor
from the middle West, as the South
was already well represented in his
Official family. Speculation therefore
went to Missouri, Indiana and Illinois
ana the names of eX-GoW Francis. ex-
congressman Bynum and others nat
urally suggested themselves. Gov.
FRANCIS took strong stand in favor
OF the gold standard in the preliminary
battle for delegates to the Chicago
convention, but he and his associates
We're dlsastrously beaten in his state.
During the convention he was also
very active. Since the convention he
has, it is said by his friends here, Civ
en- no public utterance as to his posi-
ton with regard TO the Chicago tick
ct, and so far as knewn, has not, at
least actively, allied himself with the
movement for the Indianapolis con-
vention. Gov. Francis throughout his
political career has been strong
Cleveland supporter and a warm
friend of Mr.. Cleveland and the ad-
ministration. It is recalled that when
MI Cleveland was at Lakewood
making up his cabinet prior to enter
ing upon his second term. ex-Gov.
francis was summoned there and
there was a strong impression for
time that he would be given a port
folio. He had been mayer of st. Louis
and twice governor of Missouri, and
before Mr.. Clevelands nomination
became certainty was pressed for
the presidential nomination. Despite
the high honors he has already
achieved, he is still a comparatively
young man, in the neighborhood of
fifty, strong, vigorous, of>sunny tenn
permanent and genial disposition.
The New Secretary.
Ev-Gnv Dovid Dou-1o11
wassborn in Richmond, Madison coun-
ty, Ky, Oct. 1, $780, His education
was received in Washington universi-
ty, st. Louis, his family having moved
to st. Louis. In 1870 he graduated, re-
ceiving the degree B. A. His first en-
ployment was with grain commits
sion house, continuing until 1877, when
he began business for himself. In
1884 the D. r. Francis & Bro. Com
mission company was esta blished as
a result of the growth of the firm.
The same year he became president of
the Merchants exchange. His first
politica! position was that Of delegate
to the national convention in 1854. IN
April, 1885, he was elected mayor Of
st. Louis, having been nominated as
a dark horse on the 1S5th ballot. In
1883 Mr.. Francis WAS elected governor
of Missouri. At the expiration of his
term in 1892 he resumed the active
business management of his old firm,
which had been kept up by the other
members of the house, With occasional
supervision by the governor himself.
His connection with politics since 1902
has been that Of a simple citizen with
an active interest in the welfare Of
his party and couLtry. He has al
ways been a consistent Democrat.
Mrs. Francis is a leader in st. Louis
society. They have four children.