The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-05

ministration. and though this was South.
ern city, can say that the only recollec-
ton Of 1t to most of US Is admiration fol
the man himself.
Il can't say that We indorsed al Ibis
moves. OF course. but most Of his orders
were worded with great humanity. and were
carried out In the same manner SO long al
he was personally present to supervise
them. He was not responsible for the doingt
OF some OF his subordnates.
Il can only pay tribute to the Colone
for being the high-minded gentleman that
he was. and for being actuated by the pes'
impulses always"
Club of this city Mr.. Leighton was one OF
the hardest workers for the club and the
city. fellow-member Of the club and an
old friend Of his stated last night that ne
was public-spirited to q marked degree.
"Mr. Leighton was q prominent factor IN
tho movement insusated by the Commercial
Club in 1885," he said. which resulted IL
granite. At that time many Of the principal
streets were paved with the old wooden
blocks or were of macadana, and their con
dition was fearful at times.
Mr.. Leighton used to talk the matter VI
at the club and worked as hard in stirring
UP public interest any man has evel
DONE His earnestness on the point finally
SSli SA up Ldlly CITY dS Wen d
influential business men Of St. Louis. and q
large part of the credit for the new era Of
paving is duo to him.
HE was Woe president Of the CONNER
cial Club from 1884 to 1887. and presiden,
from 1857 to 1890. Edwards Whitaker wa
secretary Of the club for two years. in the
course Of Mr.. Leighton's administration. He
was always leading figure In the banquets
given by the club, and 1t was at one OF
these that he made his last appearance a
such function.
Attended Mr.. wu's BANQUET.
'"Ths occasion was the dinner rendered
to WI Ting-fang, the Chinese Ambassador
last winter. Mr.. Leighton had been sick for
80 long that 1t was not expected he would
be able to attend. He was so feeble that
the evening Of the dinner carried over a
silk cushion for him to SIT on at table and
propped him up as best could, yet when
the supper commenced he sat as erect as
any man and gave no hint of illness. To
see him sitting at a banquet Of the sort
without being one Of the leading speech
makers Of the evening was indeed sad to
his friends
what may be called his last public ap-
pearance was made last fall at the laying
Of the University Hall corner stone, the
main building Of Washington University.
He spoke on education at that occasion
ana MS speech was one OF the most Strtk-
ing Of the day. He was In bad health at
the time and his spirit is shown in the way
he pulled himself together for the oc-
casion. He had been one of the chief
helpers of Washington University. and he
was determined to see tho new university
started on It's course"
Another friend spoke ut length on Colonel
Leightons connection with politics.
"Mr Leighton was always q stanch Re
publican" he said, but I can we'll remem.
Der his attitude towards the City Hall gane
when that outfit had control of politics
here He regarded the whole administration
as disgrace to the city.
HE believed in the purity OF polite.
above all things, and most of his efforts ir
that lire were along reform moves. He wa.
vice chairman. in 1897. of tho Monetar,
Commission, which recommended a curren
cy to the Government. George f. Edmund.
of Vermont was president of the commits
sion, which was composed of represents
tives from the various boards Of trade
chambers of commerce and commercial
clubs Of the country.
He was appointed by Congress to make
Recommendations upon the currency ques
ton, and the City Hall gang did not DART
to work against him in any way, In spite
of his antipathy. His attitude towards tina,
body was deserving of the highest praise.