The herald., 1896-08-25
GOV. FRANCIS Of MISSOURI
Appointed to Succeed Secretary
HOke Smith
A CONSISTENT DEMOCRAT
But Lately Not Engaged in Active Poll.
ticai Work
A Substantial and Successful Business Man
of Middle Ago Becomes Secretary
OF the Interior
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
BUZZARDS BAY, Mass, Aug. "a
Announcement was made by President
Cleveland at Gray Gables tonight of
the appointment of David r. Francis,
ex-governor of Missouri as secretary
of the interior, vice IIoke Smith, who
recently resigned the secretaryship be-
cause of his financial views
Mr.. Francis will probably office on
September l. as that is the date named
in Secretary Smiths resignation.
SECRETARY FRANCIS.
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 24.-Ex- Governor
David Rowland Francis is nearly 46
years old, having been born at Rich
mond, KY, October 15 1850. His educa-
ton was received in Washington uni
versity. in this city, his family having
moved to SITS. Louis. In 1870 he grad
uated, receiving the decree of B. A.
His first employment was with grain
commission house, continuing until 1877,
when he began business for himself.
In 1884 the D. r. Francis & Bro. COM
mission house was established, and as
a result of the growth of his firm, that
same year he became president of the
Merchants exchange. His first political
position was that of delegate to the na-
tional Democratic convention of 1884.
In April, 1885, he was elected mayor of
ST. Louis, having been nominated as a
dark horse on the 1S5th ballot. In 1855
Mr.. Francis was elected governor of Mis-
souri,. At the expiration of his term in
1892 he resumed the active management
of his old firm, which had been kept up
by the other members of the house,
with occasional supervision by the gov
ernor himself. His connection with pol
itics since 1892 has been that of a simple
citizen with an active interest in the
welfare of this city and county He has
always been a consistent Democrat Mrs
Francis is a leader in st. Louis society
They have four children.
SOME SURPRISE.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 24.-The an
nouncement that the president has ap-
pointed Ex-Governor Francis of Mis-
souri, to succeed Mr.. Smith as secretary
of the interior rather surprised Washing
ton, more because of the suddenness
with which it followed on the heels of
Mr.. Smiths retirement than because of
the selection. The reasons for Mr..
Smiths voluntary withdrawal from the
cabinet were understood as soon as the
announcement was made on Saturday
and it was naturally expected that as
he had retired because heh felt obliged
to support tthe nominee of his party at
Chicago, his successor would be in full
harmony with Mr.. Cleveland on the
money question. There was a feeling
also that tthe president would probably
select Mr.. Smiths successor from thte
middle west, as the south was already
we'll represented in his official family.
Speculation, therefore. went to Missouri,
Indiana and and Illinois, and the names
of Ex-Governor Francis sex-Congressman
Bynum and others naturally suggested
themselves.
Governor Francis took strong stand
in favor of the gold standard in the pre-
liminary battle for delegates to the Chi
cago convention, but he and his asso-
ciates were disastrously beaten in his
state. During the convention he was
also active. Since the convention he
has, it is said by his friends here, given
no pu bltuciterances as to his position
with regard to the Chicago ticket. and so
far as known, has not at least actively
allied himself with the movement for
the Indianapolis convention.
Governor Francis, tnrouShought his
political career, has been strong sup
porter and a warm friend of Mr.. Cleve
land and the administration. 1t is re-
called that WIN Mr.. Cleveland was at