New-York tribune., 1896-08-27
SKETCHES or THE CANDIDATES.
FRANK s. BLACK.

>.
ernor is the present representative In Congress Tor
the xIXth District OF this State. made up OF
Columbia and Rensselaer, counties. lie was born
on March S. 1883 in the town Of Limington. York
County. Me- he being one Of the eleven children OF
Jacob Black a respected farmer Of the township.
and his wife Charlotte 3 Black His parents were
poor and unable TO give their large family many
advantages. and as a result young Black was early
thrown upon his own resoItces. He boy.
however OF unusual promise. and OF rugged.
perseverlng nature that almost delighted In over
coming the many difficulties that beset his way.
His early youth was similar to that Of many
New England boys He worked on the farm dur
ing the summer months and attended school In the
winter. studying hard and reading all the books on
which he could lay his hands. Even az boy he
filled with desire 10 become a lawyer. ana
determined to bend all his energies 10 the fulfil
ment of his ambition. His determination and will
power have been remarkable. and the obstacles
which would have discouraged young men with
less strength OF character only seemed 70 spur
him on 10 better cndeavOr
When he WAS only seventeen years old aiter
short course at Lebanon Academy. IN his native
county. he secured appointment as a school
teacher in the neignborhood With the money
which he thus earned and an additional sum
secured from his work farm. he entered the
Freshman class Of Dartmouth College in 1871. lie
was little more than eighteen years old at the
time His four years AT college were 20 he years
OF self-denal and hard work. but he was undaunt-
ell at the outlook His preparation for college had
been deficient as compared with that OF most Of his
fellow students. and for the first two years he
found II a difficult task 20 keep abreast OF hts
fellow-classmen. He hampered. too. by the
work Of providing himself with the means to pay
for his tuition and his boarding. In fact even In
his junior year he only able 70 attend college
eleven weeks the rest OF his time being taken np
with teaching In order to earn enough money 10
pay his expenses He taught school part Of each
year during his course. and IN he summer vaca-
t!ons worked his fathers farm.
Despite these difficulties with which he had 70
contend. he WAS of the most popular young
men in college and was able TO carry of honors
For a time he editor Of the college maga-
zine twice prize speaker and was an honor
man at commen cement. Among Mr.. Blacks fellow
students were Congressman George Fred Williams
and Samuel Mccall. OF Massachusetts. and Charles
r. Miller managing editor Of The New-York
Times"
After he was graduated from college Mr.. Black
went to Johnstown. Fulton County, this State.
whore he began the study OF law, entering the
Office OF Wells Dudley & Keck A. the same time
he became manager Of The Johnstovn Journal
then owned by w NJ Ireland After three months.
however he gave up his place and clerkship and
went to Troy. where he became reporter on
The Troy Whig" He painstaking and con-
scientlous worker and a good writer. and gave
satisfaction to his employers. For short time ne
was connected with the registry department OF the
postoffioc I'm Troy.
The fascinations Of newspaper work were not
sufficient however. 10 wean him away from 'he
law. and Mr. Black became a stucent tn the laM
office Of Robertson roster ~ fS,d -, aro6i,on
after L. wing Dartmouth. his chtIlshrd ahlo',Dn
vas realizef and he was admitted 20 the har.
hIbort "a smith and George B Wellington. the firm
name being Smith. Wellington Biaok "nrh VI
success from the outset and soon enjoyed large
practice He became attorney Tor the Ie''IN'is vi
the naners al the time Of the appointment ot "A
receiver for the Gilbert Gar Company, ot Troy.
ieesl cases in the town OF his adoption o., .,
Intil his nomination for Congress IN tns iaH %, oI
office although the people Of Rensselaer, county
had offered him almost every pla'' III t
the interest Of the Republican nomineef .o lie n.s'
came into general notice however oy ,be murder
Gus gang led 10y senator Murphy IN Troy o. ..,,
"One 0f Mr. Blacks rules as lawyer salu
tho Troy Times AZ the time Of his nomination
for Congress has been never 20 take criminal
case and only once has he appeared In divorce
! tation Of "A woman whom he thought 10 De petS,
ings ,,ntu the tragedy on Election Day last Mar a.
and his service nm the inquest relative 10 the death
! Of Robert Ross brought him 20 ths front as a
! Vporous prosecutor OF the murderer Of that BRAY"
youth Mr. Black one OF the speakers AZ th'
! Church Immediately following the murder and
his connection with the inquest IN "nlch ne np
neared as counsel for the Troy Committee Of Pub
| liz Safety and the hearings before the Governor
when Troy endeavoring to plac. herself IN a
position TO punish those responsible FOR the d'atn
Of the young hero and his appearance IN the NC pro Pro
| ceedings before the trials OF shea and McPough
arc stiil vividly before every citizen Of Troy Ills
work as counsel for the special Senate Invesugai
ing Committee also Is familiar 20 every Trojan. and
Mi BLACK is essentially home man. He hnd'
! his greatest pleasure with HIS family. with whom
! he spends August Of every year In seeking recre1
! ton out Of ne city Scarcely a year passes 10y
that he does not visit his native county. IN Whic!
| he takes much pride as being one Of the counii''
| which compose the district IN congress "hl'i
| Speaker Reed represents
| In Congress Mr.. Black has served on the com
nnitt.es on Pacific Railroads and Private lanf
! claims lie has been useful member. although
he has rot taken conspicuous part In debate pre-
ferring first to become thoroughly familiar VIII
| the rules ~ the House. Mr. Black IS married an'
| has