Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-08-16
Shock for Gov. Bliss.

Shock for Gov. Bliss.
Saginaw, Aug 11.-Gov. A. t.
Bliss was greatly shocked at the
death of Senator James Mcmillan
and expressed the regret which he
said he knew would be generally
shared over the loss sustained by the
state and nation. Soon after hearing
the news he issued the following
proclamation:
"Hon. James Mcmillan, United States
senator from Michigan, died Sunday, Au-
gust 10, 1902, in his summer home at Man
chester-by-the-S Sea, Mass. Dea tn came swift
ly and very Unexpectedly, with one stroke
ending the active and highly honorable
career of one of the most eminent of Mich
igan's many illustrious public men. But
slightly past the sixty-fourth birthday, in
the maturity of a vigorous life, he had the
promise of many years of useful service,
and his untimely demise will be generally
regretted. A self-made man, resolutely he
climbed, the ladder of success in both bust
ness and public life, at all times clear of
head and keen of judgment, man to be
depended upon, true friend, honest OF
purpose and fair in his dealings with all
men In his home relations, where Amer
lean manhood is at it's best, he was a low
ing husband and a devoted father.
Thrice elected to represent this COM
monwealth in the United States senate, by
very force of character, he became lead
er in that august body, applying to the So
luton of the problems Of legislation the
sharpened judgment of a business man, and
bringing to the execution OF the tasks
intrusted to him executive ability of a high
order. His death is a distinct loss to the
nation as we'll as to the state.
"As mark of public respect, until after
the funeral the flags on the capitol and at
oth Sta TO BUILDINGS will he 6iSnl9Ve6
at half-staff. During the funeral services
all state departments will be closed, and
as far as circumstances will admit the
justices of the supreme court, state Of
fcials and heads Of departments are re-
quested to attend the obsequies.
"a. T. BLISS, Governor"
Career of the Dead Senator.
Senator James Mcmillan was born in
Hamilton, Ontario, May II, 1885, and re-
moved to Detroit when II years Of age.
Soon after his arrival in Detroit he was ap-
pointed purchasing agent of the Detroit
& Milwaukee railroad, which position he
held for several years. In company with
several others he organized the Michigan
car company in 1854 and afterwards pur-
chased the car works at ST. Louis and es-
tablished similar works at Cambridge,
Ind, and London, Ont. His brother, Will
liam, who died short time ago. afterwards
purchased the st. Louis works. Senator Nc
MILAN became interested in the lake
carrying trade and invested large
sums in lake transporta ton, both
freight and passenger. He also was
heavily interested in the ship building
business on the great lakes. 1t was largely
through his influence that the Duluth,
| South Shore & Atlantic railroad across the
| upper peninsula of Michigan was con-
structed.
His Political Career.
Senator Mcmillan was the recognized re-
| publican leader in Michigan, and had been
| since his first election as senator in 1889.
! When ex-senator Zachariah Chandler died
| in 1879 Senator Mcmillan was secretary of
| the republican state central committee.
| Chambers death left the republican party
In Michigan without dominant leader for
| several years. In 1885 Mr.. Mcmillan was
| elected chairman of the state central COM
mittee and from that time until his death
| he was the leader of his party in Michigan.
He held the state craftsmanship until 1896,
| serving for seven years after his election
to the senate. Senator McMillan's sue
cess in politics, as we'll in business, can
| be largely accredited to his wonderful ex-
ecutive ability. He was man of compare
! lively small personal acquaintance
! throughout the state, but he picked bis
party lieutenants with rare judgment. He
was no orator, and seldom spoke before an
audience. His life was clean and his CHAR
| acter spotless. His word was sacred. An
unqualified promise once given was never
| broken. A qualified promise was never
! changed from the original qualifications.
The late governor, H. S. Pingree, opposed
! Senator Mcmillan strongly during the last
years of his (Pingree's) career in state poll
| tics.
Prominent in Business life.
| Senator Mcmillan became one of the most
prominent men in the business life of De-
troit He was director in the First ma
tional the Detroit savings and the State
savings banks of this city, and was also
stockholder in a number Of other banks
| and financial institutions. Among the
more important local corpora lions in which
| he held stock are the Michigan malleaDle
iron works, the Detroit Railroad Elevator
company, the Detroit Union Station COM
pany, the Fulton Iron & Engine works, the
! Detroit Iron Furnace company and d. M
Ferry & Company, wholesale seed dealers.
| He was large stockholder in the Detroit
! and Buffalo and the Detroit and Cleveland
| lines of steamers, and was president CT the
latter line.