Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-03-20

He is a 0lleCNDT III many
tutions. He has always been interested
in politics, but has never held a polit-
icel office. He was president OF the Pro-
tnctiye Tariff league a long time. He
was twice chairman of the republican
state convention, and was treasurer OF
the national committee for some time.
He declined the nomination for gov
ernor in 1896, and to avoid a similar
non nation in 1891 went TO Europe. He
was chairman Of the business mems
committee when IL tried to nominate
Arthur in 1884.
Although not in complete harmony
with the state republican organization,
Mr.. Bliss financiered the republican ma
tional committee in the last two presi-
Dental campaigns. He accepted the
treasurership of the committee last
year at the urgent solicitation or Me-
Kinley n Hanna. He made a rule
| that no obligation be incurred until the
money was in hand to meet 1t. This
was rigidly adhered to. AT the close OF
each day every bill was audited. III
ticians. therefore, were surprised When
election night came around at being
told the campaign was closed with a
surplus in the treasury.
>
JAMES A. GARY, POSTMASTER GEN
ERAL.
James Albert Gary, now widely known
because Of his selection as postmaster
general under the new administration, Is a
man who has long been prominent in
Maryland, where he has resided since his
early boyhood. Mr.. Gary WAS born in
UncasviIe. Conn. in 1893, from which
place his father removed TO Maryland "A
few years later, taking with him his fam
ily. Young Gary was sent TO school ut Ell
lott city, Md, and afterward became a
student OF Allegheny college, MeadVllle,
Pa. president-Elect Mckinley was also
attending this college, and il was here
that ne and Gary formed the friendship
that has lasted all these years that have
interviewed between the time and the pres
ent.
During the war Mr.. Gary was loyal TO
the Union. lie has always been a stanc
republican and prominently identified with
the interests OF his party. The elder Gary
was an extensive manufactures of cotton
duck, the pushes Offices and warehouse
being located in Baltimore. In 1861 James
A. Gary was admitted TO the firm, and the
business was conducted under the name OF
James s. Gary x Son. The active influ-
ence of the new member was soon felt, and
the growth and prosperity of the business
. NdS llloSA MA hNb' ~ AN'~ -
was opened IN st. Louis, which gave the
concern a footing IN the west that proved
most profitable. In 1870 James A. Gary
succeeded his father in business. ana dur
ing the twenty-six years that have elapsed
since he assumed control the business mas
continued to prosper. Among the business
men OF Baltimore he has a gilt edged
standing that Is only to be attained by
years Of business probity and proved sta
bility.
For several years Mr. Gary was presi-
dent OF the Merchants and Manufacture
crs' association. He is now vice president
Of the Consolidated Gas company and vice
president OF the Citizens National bank.
He also holds directorships in the Savings
Bank Of Baltimore the Warehouse COM
pany. the American Insurance company,
the Merchants ana Manufacturers lnsur-
ance p aud the Baltimore Trust
and Guaranty company.
Ills greatest prominence has been
achieved I'm the political field, In 1870 the
republicans nominated him for congress
in the Erin district. As the entire state OF
MARYLAND was at that time largely demo-
cratic Il was a fOregone conclusion that
he would he defeated When nominated
for governor, in 1879, his very handsome
vote was overcome by the same expected
democratic majority.
Mr.. Gary has been a delegate to every
national convention of his party since 1872,
and from 1850 to 1895 has represented Mary
land on the republican national commit
tee.
The home life OF Mr.. Gary has been quiet
and happy. In 1856 he was married to Miss
Lavinid W. Corgie, daughter OF James
Corrie, "A highly respected citizen. Seven
daughters and one son were the fruits OF
this union. The son. f.. Stanley Gary, is
now junior partner nj the old firm.
JUDGE JOSEPH M'KENNA. SECRE-
TARY OF THE INTERIOR.
Judge Joseph McKenna of California, I'm
President McKin,ey's cabinet as secretary
Of the interior, is a native of Philadelphia.
IIe was born August 10, 1S43. and removed
with his parents to B%enicia, Cal, in 1855.
His education commenced in the public
schools OF Philadelphia, was completed az
the Benicia Collegiate institute, now st.
Augustine college, whore he studied law.
lie was admitted to the bar in 1868, and in
the same year, at the age of -, he was
elected district attorney of Solano county
the duties Of which office he discharged
faithfully for four years.
In 1919 he was elected TO the California
legislature. While serving his constituents
i'm this capacity he made a reputation for
ltillSfll dS tlldlllllOH u TIE DNlDllC oCllOol
system, then suffering seriously from Sec
tartan attacks. In the following year he
was nominated for congress, but was de-
feated by a small m majority. His friends
were determined, however, that their
champion should have a seat in congress,
so they continued TO push young McKenna
for the office and finally, in 1881, he was
elected by a handsome majority. In 1855
he was again dominated and elected, and
In 1880 the same honor was conferred upon
him.
on February II. 1892, President Harrison
appointed Mr.. McKenna to the position of
judge OF the United States circuit court
TO iii the vacancy caused by the death OF
Judge Lorenzo Sawyer.
1t was while both were serving on the
ways and means committee that Major
Mckinley and Judge McKenna formed the
friendship which binds them now, and il
was here that each recognized the spe-
cial capabilities OF the other. President
Elect Mckinley has always a he'd a high
opinion of Judge McKenna's ability as a
jurist, and his appreciation of Judge Me-
Kcnna's knowledge OF western affairs and
the general interests OF the interior have
no doubt largely influenced him in maxi
ing this selection.
Judge McKenna is described as being a
S'udiouS man ueNOleu 10 HIS JUDICIAL uu-
ties but affable and easy in his manner.
His popularity in California has been con-
tinuous and ever increasing, and he is re-
garded as in every way worthy of the
honor conferred upon hita.
3
EX-CONGRESSMAN JAMES WILSON,
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.
EX-Congressman James Wilson of Iowa,
to whom President Mckinley rendered the
agricultural portfolio, is a man well fitted
for the position which he is TO fill. lie il
not a native Of America. but from the time
he was l6 years old his life and work have
been devoted to the interests of his adopt
ed country, and particularly in the line of
her agricultural development.
Mr.. Wilson was born in Ayrshire, Scot
land, August IS, 1885, and came. with his
parents, TO America in 1851. The Wilson's
lived first in Connecticut, removing TO
Iowa when James Wilson was in his teens.
The education of the lad was of the COM
mon school variety, but years of reading
and other self-education developed his
mind literally. and by the time he was q
years Of age he was able to teach school
himself. This he did for a number OF
years In the neighborhood Of Buckingham
and West Union, la. At this time young
Wilson was very poor, and it was said
that he went about barefooted because he