The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1896-08-29

was made on Saturday, and it was
naturally expected that as he had re-
tired because he felt obliged to support
the nominees of his. party at Chicago,
that his successor would be in full
harmony with Mr. Cleveland on the
money question.
Gov. Francis took a strong stand in
favor of the gold standard in the pre-
liminary battle for delegates to the
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 utterance as to his position
with regard to the Chicago ticket, and,
so far as known, has not, at least ac-
lively, allied himself with the move
ment for the Indianapolis convention.
Throughout his political career he has
been a strong supporter and a warm
friend of Mr.. Cleveland and the admin
istration. 1t is recalled that when Mr.
Cleveland was at Lake Wood making
up his cabinet, prior to entering upon
his second term, eX-Gov. Francis was
summoned there, and there was
strong impression for time that he
would be given portfolio.
SHORT SKETCH OF HIS CAREER
David Rowland Francis, late governor of
Missouri, was born October I, 1850, In Rich
mond. Madison county, KY, which was also
his parents birthplace. His ancestry is q
mixture Of Scotch. Irish and Welsh. In 1866
he came to st. Louis where for four years he
attended the Washington university, gradual
ing with the degree Of A B., in the class OF
1870 In the middle of 1870 he began business
as q shipping clerk for Shryock & Rowland of
St Louis, and continued with them until they
went out of business In April. 1877. In May,
1877, he began the grain business on his own
account and has continued in 1t ever since In
May. 1894, he was elected a delegate at=large
from Missouri to the national democratic con-
vention at Chicago He was an active
worker for Cleveland and Hendricks. He
was vice president of the Merchants exchange
in 1888 and elected president in 1884, after one
OF the most exciting elections ever held by that
body. In March. 1885. he was nominated for
the mayoralty OF St Louis on the 18th ballot
He was elected by q majority Of l,SOO over a
competitor who had served four years. and was
elected first by q majority of 1900 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 mayor was his veto
OF the Electro elevated railway bill. which was
done because OF the paltry sum which the
company offered for the franchise. 1t was
during his administration that $4,000 was
reclaimed from the Missouri Pacific road and
the interest reduced from seven and six per
cent to four and IS per cent He was nomi-
nnted for governor by the democratic conven-
tion in August 1885, elected in the following
November. and inauGurated in January 1882
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 the
leader OF the gold-Cleveland wing OF
the democratic party in Missouri as op-
posed to the silver wing, led by Gov Stone
He is the senior member OF the d. r Francis
& Brother Commission Co. which was organ
lied and Incorporated such in 1884, being the
outgrowth OF the firm OF d. r. Francis &
Brother. which was started in 1880. 1t is one
OF the leading grain firms OF the middle west
Ex-Gov Francis is u millionaire and owns
controlling interests In several newspaper
companies in the state,