New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-12-07
CAREER OF JAMES Z. MARCH,
THE REPUBLICAN LEADER
IN THE WITH DISTRICT.
CAME TO THIS COUNTRY AS ANTONIO
MAGGIE TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
NOW A BANKER AND CON
TRACTOR, WITH 4 COUN-
TRY HOUSE.
TRY HOUSE.


of Antonio Maggie and James E. March The
difference Furthermore. is not only in pronun-
citation Antonio Maggie was an Italian immi-
grant who landed at Castle Garden twenty-nine
wears ago. with smile and harp as about his
only assets. James E. March is the banker ana
contractor of No. 80 Marion-st., the Republican
leader Of the With Assembly District, and who has
added still further to his popularity by giving
a dinner 10 fifty Of the best looking girls OF the
Rowery district recently, as an aftermath or
the election.
Antonio Maggie and James T. March are ONO
and the same man. only at different times Ihe
story OF the rise OF this man contains much to
stimulate the ambition of those natives Of sunny
italy who come here TO succeed. together Win
many a thrilling chapter that must win the al
miration OF Anglo-Saxon- AS an llluslra-
zion OF his character, Mr. March once held up
q bank president with brace Of reviewers ana
a demand for his deposit of some Sf,ooo- MI
March got the money.
This episode in his life came shortly after the
big longshoremen's strike of 1882. which at the
time practically tied up the operation of the
commerce of the North and East rivers The
rresent Republican leader had charge OF the
piers Of the Erie Railroad. in which, in the TWO
years of his employ. he had been promoted
from usher to superintendent of the immigrant
trains.
Mr.. March took an active part in bringing
about a settlement of the strike and he won
such esteem from the railroad company and the
foagshoremen that a purse containing $500
was presented TO him. This sum he deposited
in q Jersey City bank Several days later ne
learned that he could get 4 per cent on his
money in a certain New-Ycrk City institution
Mr. March made up his mind Immediately that
he would draw out his deposit from the Jersey
City bank and place it where he could get the
larger return
What was his surprise when he called for his
deposit to learn that he could not have it
you will have to give US several days notice
10 draw out such sum-" said the president
But it's my money was the quick reply,
land if you've got it here want it
You can't have it to-day Come around
some time next week. said the bank president
Mr.. March had been in the habit of carrying
four revolvers on his person throughout the
strike and before ne thought the second time he
pulled out two of the guns. and pointing them
at the head of the president, exclaimed:
give me that money you'll never have
another chancet"
The money was paid. The next day the bank
failed. although Mr. March had had no prernon-
ition of it. There was an investigation of the
accounts of the institution, and III consequence
several Of its officers were sent :" prison
March was twelve years old when he walked
nm Broadway for the first time. He went
through the Italian quarter and decided that
there was mere opportunity for him in the
country. He bought ticket to Constablevihe,
Lewis County N Y. and there he went to work
as clerk for Charles Bennett A little later
he went to Harrisburg, in the same county.
where for two years he worked for Charles
Kilham. His wages consisted Of his board and
clothes Then he migrated TO Lowville, also in
He'd milk v-be he
first time in this country he received money for
his work He saved it all, studied nights, start
ed little milk business of his own passed the
Regents examination in the Lowvile Academy,
and in 1880. with a little money and something
of an education. he came back to this city,
where he entered the employ Of the Erie Rail-
road Company
With the exception of two years, Mr.. March
has remained with the Erie, and at the present
time he is its general contracting agent, with
supervision over the many thousand Italian la
borers employed the road. On leaving Low
VILE Antonio Ma ggio became James E. March
The transition was not marked it might
seem. because the people Of Lowvilie had nick
named him March, from his way of walking.
M March now owns handsome country
house in Lowviile. and here it is that his family
Of three boys and three girls live
In the four years that Mr. March has been
leader Of the Republicans in the With Assembl,
District there have been times when man had
to risk getting several black eyes In a cam.
paisn. The With comprises what is generally
known as the -Bowery district made up Of a
number CT nationalities Reaching as far south
as Chatham Square, bounded on the east b,
Chrystie-st on the west by Broadway and on
the north by irregular line extending as IA
as ST. Marks Place, the district represent
nearly every country in Europe, Asia ant
Africa In addition there is floating" popu
lation Of about fifteen hundred, who, when reg
1stsr4nK, give the addresses OF . number OF tn