The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-31

over his home affairs, and Il was noticed
that at times he was well-nigh dis
tracted
The day before Mayor McLane was
married he told President Timanus, OF
the second branch Of the city council.
that he was going to New York on bust
ness. and requested him TO act as mayor
over Saturday. Neither Mr.. Ttmanus
nor the mayors secretary knew what
the nature of the business was. and no
one suspected q marriage. although his
friends believed that he was engaged 10
Mrs Van Bibber.
Mr.. McLane's marriage recalled the
promise Of ex-Mayor Hayes. who was
McLane's opponent in the primaries. He
declared he would marry if elected
mayor He is still unmarried.
Mrc McLane was the widow of DR..
John Van Bibber, who died about twelve
years ago She has two sons. just en-
tcring their teens. She is considered
one of the handsomest and most in
tclIectual women of Baltimore. At her
home in Preston Street she has enter
tanned extensively and is prominent IN
society ut Narragansett Pier
His Career.
Mayor Robert II McLane was born in
Baltimore on November 80. 1861 In as
cending TO his Office as mayor at the
age of thirty-six he was the youngest
mayor Baltimore ever had. The family
OF NIcLane has already given Maryland
a governor and the Republic a minister
to France
After preliminary training in the pri-
vate schools OF the city. Robert McLana
studied in the Johns Hopkins University.
where he followed classical course and
won several honorary scholarships.
Upon leaving Johns Hopkins Mr.. Nc
Lane entered the University of Mary
land law school and was admitted 10 the
bar Of Baltimore in 1891.
His first practice was with mis- brother
Allan. Not long after ward Robert Nc
Lane was appointed assistant states
attorney for Baltimore. He held this
post with much credit until 1875. Henry
Duffy was then elected to the states
attoneyship. and the former assistant
became deputy.
As Deputy Attorney.
Mr.. McLane served as deputy during
1886 and part of 1S9r He then wen;
abroad and resumed his private prac-
tice upon his return and followed il unti1
his election, in 1899, to the head of tho
department in which he had served
long apprentice ship under two chiefs
The ability with which he managed his
Office was an important element IN the
campaign in which he was elected to tn,
mayoralty,
AS mayor Mr.. McLane gained much
appreciation because Of the character Of
the men he appointed. and his activity
at the time OF the great fire won a6mi-
ration from al sides
AS soon as it became known that a Sc
rious fire was raging. the mayor went
20 the city hall and took charge Of the
fire and police departments. AS IL be
came necessary to dynamite buildings
it was the mayor who gave the orders.
and late IN the afternoon. when he saw
that the local police could no longer
handle the situation. he called upon the
governor for help.
Found Help in New York.
When it was seen that the Baltimore
fire department. could not cope with the
situation the mayor sent 10 New York
for help. and Fire CHIEF Howe and New
York apparatus were sent in response
to the call. On the second day of the
fire the mayor presided at meetings Of
the relief committee and his prOmptnsss
in acting made IL unnecessary for Bal
timore TO accept the proffered aid from
other cities.
His appointments on the burned dis
trict commission. however, failed TO
meet with popular approval. and he
received some criticism on this account
In the last two weeks opposition on the
part Of the council 10 several of the
mayors measures developed.