The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-07-24
Heart Failure Claimed Fermer
Secretary Of War Last Night.
WAS CLEvELAND'S SECRETARY
He Originated the Expression Public Office
a Public Trust" Published News
papers During His Career

during the administration OF President
Cleveland died suddenly AT his home at
Mulbrook. Dutchess county, last night at
plS o'clock. Heart failure was the cause
OF death
Col and Mrs, Lamont were out driving
this afternoon and Col Lamont appeared
10 be enjoying the best OF health. After
dinner he complained Of feeling III and
Dr. Stewart OF New York. who is a guest
at the house, Immediately rushed TO his
aid.
The physician diagnosed the case as an
attack Of heart failure, and in spite OF
heroic treatment Mr.. Lamont passed
away inside OF half an hour.
At the death bed were Mrs. Lamont
and her two daughters, Frances and Bes-
sic Several guests at the Lamont home
were also present when the end came.
Daniel Scott Lamont was born at Cort-
landsvile. \. Y. Feb. Q. 1851 son Of John
r. Lamont and Elizabeth Scott, Of Scotch
Irish ancestry. his forbears having emil
grated 10 this country 10 devote them
selves to farming.
The elder Lamont. however. was a WELL
to-do merchant His son Daniel. after
studying in the common schools. the Nc
Granville academy and the Normal coll
iege. was in 1868 sent to Union college.
Schenectady, -. Y, where. however. ne
did not graduate. leaving fin order 10 en-
ter the profession OF journalism for
which he possessed both taste and
prediction.
During this early period ne also worked
for a time In his fathers store He
purchased an interest in the Democrat.
a paper published at the country seat of
Cortland county. and became it's editor,
at the same time interesting himself in
politics
In 1870 he was appointed engrosslng
clerk to the New York state assembly
and during his incumbency OF that office
made an extensive acquaintance with the
public men Of the state.
He was a delegate from his county TO
the Democratic state convention OF 1871
and there cast his vote with Samuel !
1ilden I'm his fight against Tweed and
Tammany hall.
MANAGER FOR T1LDEN.
In 1873 he was nominated for county
clerk though defeated. he ran ahead Of
his ticket. and in recognition Of that fact
was next year nominal ed for the assem-
bly,. though only to be again defeated by
small majority. But AT the request Of
Gov. Tilden he was made deputy clerk
Of the assembly when that body con-
vened.
HIS relations with me governor were
Intimate, and he practically managed Mr.
Tilden's campaign against the canal ring
In lS76-77 he served as chief clerk of the
state department. az Albany. where he
was associated with John Bgelow: and
m January. 1878. he bought an interest
In the Albany Argus. also for time hold
Ing a position on the staff Of that pa per
In which position he became associated
With Daniel Manning
When Grover Cleveland was elected
governor ~ New York he met young
Lamont. and having occasion to make use
Of his knowledge and ability IN the
preparation of his first message offered
him an honorary position on his military
,taff. which gave Lamont the title Of
colonel by which he had since been
known
Gov. Cleveland next appointed him his
private secretary. and Mr.. Lamont re-
tired from the Argus to accept this posi-
tion, In which he made himself so useful
ard valuable that when Mr.. Cleveland
became president he took Mr.. Lamont
with him 10 the White House
AS SECRETARY OF WAR
As private secretary 20 the president.
Mr.. Lamont gained the reputati tion ~
smoothing the paths ~ those who visited
the executive mansion. while at the ss me
time tightening Mr. Cleveland's burdens
ss probably no other man could possibly
have done. II followed that he became
universally popular. while winning the
highest encomiums for his Judgment.
ocuteness. serenity and loyalty
As private secretary 10 Mr. Cleveland in
the latter's position as governor ~ New
York Mr. Lamont originated the phrase,
public cfice a public trust" phrase
which he used as a headline in compiling
pamphlet OF Mr.. Cleveand's speeches
and addresses
The expression used hy Mr. Cleveland
was. public officials are the trustees of
the people" as he expressed himself In
the letter accepting the nomination for
the office Of Mayor OF Buffalo.
Iron the election Of Mr.. Cleveland n
his second term I'm 1892 recalling the past
services of his former secretary. he sum-
m, ncd Mr.. Lamont 10 enter his cabinet as
secretary OF war. upon the duties OF
which office he entered March :. 1897.
WITH PAYNE AND WHITNEY.
At the expiration Of Mr.. Cleveland's
term Mr.. Lamont was rendered numerous
business connections. hut determined -
oesoCihte himself with cN-Secretary VII
liam c. whitney of tho navy, and Oliver
". Payne in the enterprises In which they
were engaged. but most actively tho
requirement and consolidation into one
organization Of tho leading street railways
I'm New York city. now the Metropolitan
Traction company. the stock Of which s.
valued az $50 10000.
In addition to this Mr. Lamont was di-
rector in ~ corporations. including the
Continental National bank. one OF tho old
est In tho city. and the New York Securi-
Is and Trust company.
Within three years he was rendered tho
rresidencies of two ~ the leading trust
companies % New York. but declined both
although ono ~ them carried with ~ u
salary of so5.0o0 per year and sufficient
stock interest % make a competence for
life
Mrs Lamont. whom the secretary mar
ried IN 1874 was Miss Kinney of her has
bands native town. She had borne him
three children