New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-28

Law Office. studied law. took the night course AT
the Rev. Russell Conwelrs Temple College. was
admitted to the bar in. 1921. and had gathered
together a fair practice when taken up by Mr..
Durham. AZ the suggestion OF Francis ShunN
Brown leading member Of the bar ana al
though Democrat. counsel for nearly al OF the
corporations which have received in late years
franchises from the legislature and City Coun-
ellis
Prior 20 entering politics Mr.. Viewers life had
been one OF earnest work and study. with close
application TO detail. AS a lawyer he was a
11eea examiner and a good orator. Moreover' ne
has the happy faculty q knowing men.
As Mayor let the motto which he had framed
and placed on his desk before he was a week in
Office speak for Itself;
For the cause thar ss. needs reeds. @ 4ss,aaB
For the future IN the distance
And the good that can DO.
In a letter Of congratulation TO Mayor Weaver
q friend Enclosed this abstract Of a poem, gen
orally credited 10 Dr. Thomas Guthrie. Mr.
Weaver was so pleased with the sentiment that
he had It elgrossed and it faces him every day
when he is officially at work
As man Mayor Weaver is interesting. His
face is marked by good nature. The features
are fine. He smiles a good deal and gives one
the impression Of a certain easy frankness that
.n q moment may be changed to that Of the
cross-examiner.
Re has nothing Of a doEmatic manner. Neither
has he satire and II would he difficult to imag-
sae him without good manners. His is not the
face Of scholar, nor an 9sthete, nor subtle
humorist His is a good business head with
square Jaw. a conbative chin and pair Of
shrewd eyes. His mouth and Jaw give the dis
5inct impression Of man who is not in the
least afraid Of his own opinion, but the kindly
sr7aros aEciO Of
an aptness to be too generous. He apparently
could be Influenced a good deal by friendship.
Ills face is more strongly marked by leniency
than by selfshness. There is no weakness there,
hut there is kindness.
CHARACTER SKETCH OF I. ". DURHAM.
Israel w Durham is the undoubted leader-f
not dictator-of the Republican organization in
Philadelphia. For years he has been the right
hand man Of Senator Quay and has eXerted
tremendous influence upon the politics of the
State His unquestioned veracity. his generous
and unfaltering loyalty 10 his friends, his alert
and vigorous mental makeup. his unfaing good
nature and his ability TO undergo for long
periods the most exhausting physical and mental
labors without perceptible fatigue have united
10 make him what he is-one of the most popu-
lar. dashing, brilliant and phenomenally sue
csSsful political leaders Of the day.
He is forty-seven years old and a native Of
Philadelphia AS soon as he was able to vote
he took to politics For years before he held
public office he was power in his party under
the tutelage OF the veteran James McManes.
head of the old gas ring. His first Office
police rnagistracy. to which he elected in
1855 and reelected in 1890. AS a magistrate
Mr.. Durham erred. If he erred at all. the side
OF mercy. He always held that there was some
thing goo6 even in the worst OF those who were
taken before him. and 10 his interest in them a
number owe their reformation. While he was
magistrate the election Of the Democratic can
oidates for Sheriff and Controller in 1857 was
quickly followed by new management Of the
Republican City Committee. with James Nc
Names restored 10 the chief leadership of the
Republican organization in Philadelphia. Mr..
Durham remained one of the most prominent Of
the McManes's lieutenants.
Thenceforward Mr. Durham was more than a
ward leader. and gradually extended his influ-
ence. until on the retirement OF Mr.. McAIanes
from active politics he became the acknowl-
edged chief Of the Quay forces in Philadelphia,
. particularly after the parting OF Senator Quay
y and David Martin in consequence of the latter's
support Of Charles F. Warwick against Boies
Penrose for the Mayoralty nomination in 1895.
Throughout Mayor Warwicks administration
the factions fought each other in nearly every
dominating convention. l. Senator Quay's fight
Tor the Craftsmanship Of the State Committee in
5s95 Mr.. Martin opposed and Mr. Durham sup
ported him. Mr.. Quay's winning in 1896 the
support Of large majority Of the Pennsylvania
national delegates for his candidacy for Presi-
cent Of the United States was largely due TO
-. Durhanl's efforts. IN the contest between
john Wananlaker and Boies Penrose for the
seat 81 J. Donald Cameron N the United States
Senate in 1897. Mr.. Wanamaker was supported
by Mr.. Martin. while Mr. Durham the chief
leader for Mr.. peurose in the eastern half OF
the state. As State Senator in that year Mr.
Durham was one OF The principal promoters OF
The Quay interests at the CaD.tol. IN 1898 he
threw his influence in favor % the nomination
@ William A. Stone for Governor and in 1902
held the solid Philadephla delegation to the
support Of Samuel ". Pennypacker FOR the same
Office al the Republican State Convention. in
eurng the latters success He was firm and
influential adherent Of Colonel Quay i'm his
candidacy for United States Senator in 1899 and
1901. and has twice actively co-operated with
the friends II E5oies Penrose in electing him In
The Emitted States Senate
After holding the Office Of magistrate ,tr Dur
ham was Stale Senator. as successor TO Bo:es
Fenrose no1 in the United States Senate and
1nsura nee Commissioner 10 which position he
was appointed ny Governor Stone and reappoint-
ed iy Governor Pennypacker.
A clever business man Is the frs. ir1p-ers3oD
Nh. Durham gives lie IS alert. vigorous quiet,
watchfUl. Management ~ men IS his delight.
Had he not become the political boss Of the
Quaker City he would have been the general
MANAGER OF huge COrpOreti ton. That he can
slfas9p6 take an unual be mass and mould 81
fro stUpenCous fighting machine is political
history. lie can break recruits into soldiers
train taw companies into one even-footed reei-
nent. QUay's master hand would lack much
Of Re rover IL has but for him. say his friends
and subtle national politics might remain IN the
brain and not on the map Of the State. were
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