Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-25

1877, when he resigned in favor of his SON.
9enaor James Donald Cameron has held
the position from that time to this, and
when his present term closes he will have
been in the Senate twenty years. He has,
understand. several times thought of retir-
ing. but has continued his senatorial career
IN order to show the people that he is
something more than the son of his father
and that he has an Intellectual force and
power of his own. When he first entered
the Senate he was spoken of as Simon Cam
eron's son, and his enemies said that he
could not be reelected. After he was again
returned to the Senate they prophesied that
he would surely go out when Simon Cam
eron died, and they were not satisfied to
give him the credit Of being one of.the best
political managers in the United States until
he showed 1t by his last election, in 1891.
A Successful Man.
1t is hard to see whore Senator Cameron's
ferce lies. There is nothing Of the SLAP
you-on-the-back. hail-fellow-well-m poll
tcian about him. He is very reserved, and
he has, as rule, 1t seems, courted frowns
rather than emiles. He has mapped out
his own lines and followed them, and has
been a success both as q hnancier and
politician He made fortune INDEPENDENT
~ OF his father and he is said to be
one of the shrewdest business men in the
United States. He began his business life
very young. After graduating at Prince
ton he ent into bank at Middletown,
became president He then got possession
or the Northern Central road, and man
aged 1t for many years, including the
period OF the late war. This road was cut
q number of times by the confederates
but Senator Cameron rapidly repaired ali
damages, and made 1t of great value TO
Uncle Sam In carrying our government
treops. 1t may be that he got his ac-
quaintance with Gen. Grant through his
position as president of this road but how
ever that was. he and Gen. Grant became
great friends and during Grants presi-
dency he chose Mr.. Cameron as his Secre-
tSry OF War. This appointment was sup
posed to have been made at the instance
OF Mr.. Cameron's father. 1t was not Gen.
Grant seldom asked advice as to his ap-
continents. and the nomination of Mr..
Cameron to the War Department was a
surprise to every one in the Senate 1t was
presented when Simon Cameron was in
promptly confirmed. The old Senator did
not want his son to accept It, and the first
knowledge Senator Cameron had of his
appointment was a telegram from his
Vising him to decline to serve. Mr. Gam
eron, however, thought differently He con-
ciCoed that he would like the position of
&C Hap on minister. and he held the office
ton During this time his friendship with
general Grant became still stronger and
ne remained one of Grants closest friends
up 70 the time of the generals death.
""s Ihlrd Term and the Three
Hundred and Six.
The movement for Grants election to a
third term was largely engineered by Mr.
cameron. John A. Logan and Roscoe Conk-
ling. They were the leaders who held the
famous 3O6 together at Chicago. inst
now, When President Cleveland Is a pos
slple third-term candidate. the inside his
Tory OF this movement Is Of especial in
terest. According to Senator Cameron fba
plan to nominate Grant for third e..
was not based on the desires of the Grant
forces to secure Office or power. III was
upon much higher grounds, and was I'm
TACT, patriotic movement, which. had n
succeeded, would have tended to the break,
ing up of the solid south and 20 an entire
change in the history of this country.
had talk with Senator Cameron some
days ago concerning this matter He told
me that Grant was at first ayerse to hav-
ing his name proposed to the convention
but that he afterward left the matter in
the hands of his friends. Said he: ''Tbe
south was favorably inclined to Grant.
The southerners appreciated his gener osity
g Appomattox. They had read with pride
- story Of his trip around the world and
Rts reception everywhere by the great men
OF al nations. They looked upon him as
great national hero, ard when upon his re-
turn from the tour, he made journey
through the southern states he was re-
ceived with enthusiasm everywhere. We
felt that IL he was the candidate he would
divide the democratic party In the south
ana that the parties there would be re-
formed on national lines. It was this be-
Hef that urited the 300 at Chicago. It was