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 Cortelyou to
J succeed him, was made at the White
! House yesterday Mr.. Porter's reslgna-
tion was received on Wednesday. and It
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..
Porter's health would not permit him to
continue the discharge Of his duties at the
White House. A year ago he became sub
ject 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
nm 10 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 a
severe strain upon him. and last month
he was compelled to go South to recuper-
ate. Since his return to Washington he
has been at his desk but a few days, and
a week ago he went to New York. where he
is now staying. Mr.. Porters 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, 1862 His father was prom
inent citizen and 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 afterward continued his musical
study In New York and graduated in stem
ography at the Walworth Stenographic
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
1883 he was the principal of college pre-
paratory schools in New York and in the
latter year was appointed secretary to
the postoffice 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 stepoR-
rapher to President Cleveland. in 1895. He
was afterward promoted to executive
clerk and by President Mckinley was ap-
pointed as assistant secretary, the Office
being created for him.
Mr.. Cortely0u 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
Washington with the degree of LII. NJ
In 1888 Mr.. Cortely0u married the young
est daughter of DR.. Kinds. principal of the
Hampstead Institute. They have three
children.
John Addison Porter. the retiring Soc
rotary to the President. was born at New
Haven. Conn. April Il. 1856. He was edu-
Gated at General Russells Collegiate and |
Commercial institute of New Haven. the |
Hopkins Grammar School, and Yale Uni |
versity, from which he was graduated from |
the academical department in the class Of |
1878.
Mr.. Porter resided in Washington be-
tween 1884 and 1885, and was in close touch |
on matters Of politics with his uncle the |
late William Walter Phelps member of |
Congress from New Jersey and Minister to |
Austria and Germany. During one session |
OF Congress he served as clerk to one of |
the Senate committees. TO which he was
appointed by Senator Plat of Connectf-
cut. He has been frequent contributor
to literary journals and magazines In
1888 Mr.. Porter purchased a part interest
in the Hartford Comm Evening Post"
Two years subsequently he secured a con-
trolling interest in that paper and became
editor in-chief
He represented the town of Pomfret in
the popular branch of the Connecticut
General Assembly and was elected an al
ternate delegate to the Republican Ma
tional Convention at Minneapolis. On sew
eral occasions he has been a candidate
for the governOrship of Connecticut. In
the Presidential campaign of 1896. Mr.
Porter was an earnest advocate OF the
OF Mr.. Mckinley
Mr.. Porter was chosen for Secretary to |
the President in February, 1897, and as
sumed office March 4. 1897. He is a mem
Der OF numerous social and traternal or
and clubs. including the Ma
sonic order.
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