The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-14

The announcement OF the resignation of
John Addison Porter. as Secretary to the
President and the appointment of Assist
ant Secretary George Bruce Corteyou to
succeed him. was made at the White
House yesterday. Mr. Porter's reslgna-
ton was received on Wednesday. and 1t
was accepted by the President yesterday
to take effect on May /. Continued i'll
health is the cause assigned by Mr.. Porter
for his retirement.
There have been frequent rumors during
the past year that the condition Of Mr..
! Porters health would not permit him TO
continue the discharge OF his duties az the
! White House year ago he became sub
iect to attacks Of nervous troubles which
have kept him from his official duties
| much of the time. Last spring his cOndi-
ton became so serious that his life was
despaired Of and his physicians ordered
him to Europe hoping that the change
would benefit him.
He returned last fall, apparently better.
and began again his work at the White
House. The social season just past put
severe strain upon him, and last month
he was compelled to go South to recuper-
has been at his desk but few days, and
a week ago he went to New York, where he
is now staying. Mr. Porter's resignation
was received at the White House Wednes-
day.
During the frequent absences Of the Sec
rotary Mr.. COrtelyou has had active charge
of the Presidents clerical work and is eX-
ceptionally well qualified to perform the
duties OF secretary. His selection for the
position meets with general approval. He
is well liked by all who have had any as
sociation with him. He is experienced in
the duties which it will be his lot to per-
FORM and enjoys in the highest sense the
confidence of the President.
Mr.. Cortelyou was born in New York
City July 6, 1852. His father was prom
inent citizen and a friend of Horace Gree
ley, Hugh Hastings, Thurlow Weed, and
other brilliant journalists, who were fire.
quently entertained at the Cortelyou home
in Brooklyn Heights and Staten Island.
Young CortelyOu graduated from the
| Hampstead Institute. At sixteen he enter
ed the State Normal School at Westfeld.
Mass. and graduated at nineteen. having
prepared for Harvard. On leaving the
normal school, however, he entered the
New England Conservatory, of Music at
Boston. He pursued several courses Of
studies and was tutored In English litera-
ture. He afteTward continued his musical
study in New York and graduated in stem
0graphy at the WalwOrth Stenographlc
Institute. which he afterward conducted
| temporarily
In 1884 Mr. COrtelyou was appointed
! stenographer in the appraisers office in
New York and was afterward associated
with James E. Munson. the author of the
| Munson system of stenography, in his
| work in the Superior Court. From 1885 to
1889 he was the principal of college pre-
paratory schools in New York and in the
latter year was appointed secretary to
| the postofice inspector for New York In
| 1891 he became confidential stenographer
to the surveyor OF the port of New York
and was afterwsrd appointed private sec
Rotary to General Maxwell, then Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General He re-
| tanned this place until appointed stenog-
| rapher to President Cleveland in 1885. He
was afterward promoted to executive
| clerk and by President Mckinley was ap-
| pointed as assistant secretary, the office
| being created for him.
Mr.. Cortelyou graduated in law from the
| Georgetown University with the degree OF
| LII. B.. and also from the post graduate
| course OF the Columbian Law School Of
l Washington with the degree of LII. NJ
| In 1883 Mr.. Cortelyou married the young
| est daughter Of DR.. Kinds. principal of the
Il
| children.
| John Addison Porter. the retiring Sec
rotary to the President. was born at New
1 Haven. Conn. April Il. 1856 He was edu-
i Gated at General Russell's Collegiate anC
/ Commercial Institute of New Haven. tht
Hopkins Grammar School. and Yale Uni
| versity. from which he was graduated from
| the academical department in the class o
| 1873.
MI Porter resided in Washington be
| tween 1884 and 1885 and vas in close tOucl
/ on matters Of politics with his uncle tn
/ late William Walter Phelps. member o
| Congress from New Jersey and Minister 4
Austria and Germany During one session
| Of Congress he served as clerk TO one o
| the Senate committees. 10 which ne wa
| appointed by Senator Plat Of Connect
i cut. He has been frequent contribute
| to literary journals and magazines. i
| 1858 Mr.. Porter purchased a part interes
in the Hartford Comm Evening Post
Two years subsequently be secured a con
trolling interest in that paper and becam
tor-in-chief
He represented the town OF Pomfret il
the popular branch OF the Connection
| General Assembly and was elected an al
| ternate delegate to the Republican Ma
| tiOnal Convention at Minneapolis. On sev
eral occasions he has been a candidat
: for the goyernorship of Connecticut
the Presidential campaign OF 1896 MI
\ Porter was an earnest advocate of tn
" nomination Of Mr.. Mckinley
Mr. Porter was chosen for Secretary t
K the President in February. 1897. and as
in stunned Office March T. 1897. He is a mem
ur Der OF numerous social and traternal or
lc. CARNATIONS and clubs. including the Ma
nd sonic order