The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-14
CAREER STAMFORD'S MAYOR
RELIGION, FINANCE, Politics
TRIED TURN By Mr.. LEEDS.
He b Only 40 at That-Won Fame First
by Attacking the Presbyterian Con.
fessi0n OF Faith-In Wall street. hut
Didn't Like I--A surprise In Politics.


by Attacking the Presbyterian Con.
fessi0n OF Faith-In Wall street. hut
Didn't Like N--A surprise In Politics.
STANFORD, Conn, Dec. is.-Much has
been written about Connecticut's trio Of
labor Mayore-Mulvihil. the stoker of
Bridgeport; Sullivan. the clothing clerk
Of Hartford, and Charters. the trades
unionist Of Ansonia-but when II comes
10 q really picturesque career none Of them
can compare with the young Princeton
graduate whom the people Of Stamford
recently elected Mayor. He is Charles
Henry Leeds, Ia 20 and Is the youngest
Mayor In Connecticut.
Previous to the city election Mr.. Leeds
was looked upon by his fellow citizens
largely in the light Of joke. Up to the
time the votes were counted few took him
seriously. Yet in the short period he has
been In once he has won the confidence
Of the conservative element Of the towns
people and, far from being a joke. has
proved himself to be fearless and sensible
official
Mayor Leeds has an independent in
come. That permitted him to try various
other occupations before he took to
politics. He took notion to spend his va
cation at clerical work.
He was graduated at Princeton, we'll UP
in his class, in 1895. being then 20 During
the next three years he travelled extensively
and between times worked just for the
fun Of the thing.
In 1897 he concluded to try his hand in
Wall Street and bought a seat in tho Stock
Exchange. After three years Of it he sold
his seat Mr. Leeds says he quit simply
because the work was unpleasant to him
In speaking of his Wall Street experience
the other day he said
1T was simply case OF II won the other
fellow lost. and couldn't see what general
benefit there would be derived from play
ing that sort Of game. Therefore ! got
OUT OF it,
II was while Mr.. Leeds was Wall Street
man that he first gained general promi-
nence. In November. 1908, every student
at the Princeton theological school received
from him a circular attacking the Presby
terrain Confession OF Faith. a characteristic
passage was as follows:
livery man who is studying for the Presby-
enaa xnrn he ayps ao or @rsnt m S
viii be asked the blowing question. Do you
sincerely rec. c and ad"p, The Confession ne Of
Of doctrine taught in Holy scriptures?
Now then. maybe the doctrine Of election
or predest ,tion is correct; but don't be-
Maybe the world was created in six days
but don't believe It, 90 you?
professional belief 70 things one does not
believe: but don't believe IL. do you!
The circular caused sensation at IN,
time, and Is said to have worried the faculty
at Pril ceton, including President Patton
Mr. Leeds threw himself ardeitly into re
Ngious research for time and then turn &C
to politics When asked the other Cay i
he still held the views contained in thu
circular, he replied that politics and re
liRion were such wholly different thin g
that q man could rot attend to both, al {
lust now he was trying To attend TO politics
II waa In 1900 that MIR. Leeds first Ell tereC
politics. He blossomed out an ardent sup
porter OF Bryan. contributed to Demo
cratic campaign funds and became Tn
One feature OF the purity movement wa
q proposition by MIR Leeds to each part
committee to spend no moGey in the cam
paien for dishonest purposes.
The Democrats said they would agre
II the Republicans would, but the Repnb
licans said they never we're In the habi
Of spending money that way;
blyman against Michael Remedy, who
one OF the Republican State leaders an
viii be chosen Speaker OF the next Legisla
tire He was defeated. In 1901 the Demo
Gratis nominated him for delegate to tn
Constitutional Convention ard he made
picturesque anvass, spending lot G
money. .,
n sort OF connoisseur on constitutions an
issued many circulars on the subject, h
oDponent was Schuyler Merritt, who
looked lpon a. the Seth Low Of Stamfor,
Ordinarily II Is supposed Mr.: Merritt woul
get about as many votes here as NiayS