Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-01-24
THE NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL.
A Sketch of John W. Griggs, Governor of
New Jersey

New Jersey
Washington, January %. -GovernOr
John William GriggS, whose nomina-
llon as Attorney General of the Uni
tea States was sent to the Senate Sat
ufuay, Will Drlng a strong personality
into the cabinet. He is man very
hlghly spoken OF and greatly admired
by those acquainted with him, and en-
Jays reputation for ability and force
OF character. He is a native of Sussex
county, n j., where he was born in
lS49. He lnhorits the hardy qualities
or Scotch blood. He is a lawyer of
wide reputation and studied law I'M
der the same preceptor who instructed
the vice president, Socrates futile, who
was the father of Mrs. Hobart.
Mr.. Griggs is an independent and
stalWart man of pronounced individ-
; uality, with great positiveness and firm
convictions. He is clean-cut in feat
! ure, appearance and dress, and in his
mode OF expression and thought he has
the GOODNESS OF an analytical lawyer
and possesses many social accomplish
ments, as well as those of sound bus
mess ability. A few years ago when
there was vacancy on the Supreme
Court bench, caused by the death of
Justice Bradley, he was prominently
mentioned for that position and al
most got it.
He is the first Republican Governor
New Jersey has had for thirty years.
| AS a member of the Safe Senate he
| gained considerable reputation by his
forceful advocacy of reform move
ments, and he finally won the govern
orship by successful fight against
| corruption in politics and local gov
| eminent.
He is d handsome man, with clean
cut features, slightly gray hair and
! shore side whiskers. the rest of his
! face being smooth, and his bearing is
such as is usually called distinguished.
He and the Vice President are very
intimate friends.
In addition to his other accomplish
ments. he is a mighty sportsman, be-
ing good marksman with either fowl
ing piece or rife, and was a member
Of the New Jersey team at the Sea
Girt rife contest He is also an en-
! thusiastic fisherman, and one of the
| best golf players in New Jersey, and
| is fond of horseback riding
| He was a graduate OF Lafayette Col
| lege in 1868, and was licensed as an
| attorney in 1871, and later became a
member Of the firm of futile & Griggs.
| He has always been an ardent Repub-
lican, and his sagacious counsel and
| brilliant oratory has been at the SER
vice of that party.
He was elected to the House OF
| Assembly in 1875, and while in the
| Assembly he took a conspicuous part
! in the remodeling of the election laws.
! He practiced law very successfully in
| the State and won an enviable repu-
| tation at the bar In 1882 he was
| elected TO the State Senate and served
| two terms, in 1886 being elected to the
| presidency.
| During his six years service in the
| legislature he took a cOnSpicuouSly
| high rank as a legislator, serving on
many of the important committees
! and taking an active part in The most
! important legislation, in which he
! showed great sagacity.
| In 1883 he was delegate-at-larg
| to the Republican national convention
| at Chicago, and made the nomination
| speech for William Walter Phelps,
who was candidate before the con-
yention for the Vice Presidency.
Gov Griggs' family consists Of his
wife and two sons and four daughters.
Mrs. Griggs was a Miss Price, of Cleve-
land, Ohio, and is woman of very
attractive appearance and great charm
of manner She will figure in Wash
ington society. Last Wednesday she
received with Mrs. Hobart and We'd
nesday evening was of the receiving
party at the White House. They will
live at the Arlington.