New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-24

James McManes who for many years was the
most important figure In he political life OF Phila-
delphia was OF Scotch-Irish descent and
Presbyterian in faith. He was born in the County
OF Tyrone Ireland. on March 81. 1922. When he was
eight years old MS parents came to the United
States and settled in Philadelphia He made use OF
all the opportunity he could find for study in the
public schools but at an early age went to work as
a bobbn boy in the Southwark Cotton Mil He
learned the business, was thrifty and Industrious.
and at the age Of twenty five was able 10 start In
business in a small way for himself A cotton
spinner He was successful for time but later
his business was ruined by fire. After that he
was for a time employed foreman Of a cotton
mill
In 1856 he established real estate business from
which he made a fortune. He also went into
notifies and II was in this field that he was best
known After he was naturazed. in 1874, he Joined
the Wing party He took prominent part IN the
% mnacn of 1852 In which General Winfield Scott
was defeated Soon after he went into the Peo-
Republican party in Philadelphia. But ii was as a
Peoples party man that he was hrst elected 10
ofice-that Of School Director In the seventeenth
Ward OF Philadelphia He was also district leader
OF his party Then followed long career OF power
and influence in city and State politics.
In 1865 he was elected one OF the Board Of Trus-
tees OF the Philadelphia Gas Works; known as 5he
Gas Trust" and he held that place untI lSe".
This gave him great political power IN lo6 ne was
elected Prothonotary Of the DiStrlct EourS Aiier
tions-practically equivalent to electons-were
largely controlled by him.
But the most brilliant event In his career was the
mart ne PLAYED in the defeat OF General Grant Tor
the nomination for a third Presidential term. lie
was a delegate-at-large from Pennsylvania 70 the
Republican Convention In 1850. and IN spite OF the
TACT that Senator Cameron. Of his own state was
al the head OF the movement, with Roscoe 'ohh,
ling FOR Grants nomination, Mr.. McManes INDUCED
tventv-two other delegates from his state 70 DOH
Grant and he the first man 10 vote Ior Gen
erai Garfield who was finally nominated, tis Nole
was only one Of eight for Garfield on the nrst oalIo
Ills rower waned for time In Philadelphia win
the break he had made with State leaders, ana ne
Cd Tor lpCf
isSs through Senator Cameron.s Influence But later
he was again elected. and held the once untll Iso'
when the Trust abolished by the LeelslatuIe
thereafter he got back some q his OLD power ana
helped TO defeat Blaine IN the National CONVENTION
lie aIways opposed Matthew ;. quay ana DaVld
Martin IN Philadelphia politics. -. -, 49,.
Mr. McNanes was one OF the organizers OF the
r-nion Passenger Railway Company. lie was also
a direcfor OF the Union Traction Company ana had
rsrv her business interests.
0rganiziug the Peoples Bank, he remained us
,rcsIdent until its failure. nearly TWO years ago
aPfter its cashier Jonn Hopkins. had committed sui
cife following which came the conspiracy charges
sgainst Senator Quay his son. X. r. quay. anu
SGrmer state Treasurer Haywood. the last named
since dead With the affairs of the bank IN inuch
IInvoived rendition and owing considerable money.
The veteran leader. then feeble, and. as many pc
iisy.d near deaths door. took from his private
fortune over 10000 and reimbursed depositoTs ana