New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-29

Captain f. Norton Goddard, who became
widely known as a Republican district leader
and founder Of the ANTHOLOGY Society.
born In this city in 1851 and was the son of j.
w Goddard who founded the drygoods house Of
J. w Goddard & Sons, at No 100 Bleecker-st
After being graduated from Harvard University
in 1882 he went into business with his father
and a few years ago he became the head or the
firm, his father and brother having died and
his uncle having retired from the firm. His
business partners for some time had been WI
mer A Baldwin and Joseph Mathers.
CAPTAIN Goddard's activity in politics did not
begin until after he acquired his title rs a mem
her of Governor Blacks staff, and It followed
several wears of work for the betterment of con-
djtions arnone the dweers in tenement houses
on the East Side. Although a young man of
large wealth and much business activity he
lived in a tenement house in East S3d-st for
few wears previous to his marriage. in order 10
he better acquainted with the people he was
anxious to aid.
81 lived there" he said, 'and asked my neigh
bors to accept me as their friend. and was glad
when they did so. I found pleasure In going TO
their observation-disclosures picnics. weddings
and ohristenings-and while rubbing elbows
with them I became acquainted with their wants
and requirements"
At the time he did not intend to enter political
life but he founded the Civic Club at No. Z43
East 34th-st and gave to It it's handsome and
commodious home. and in gathering around him
as his friends many active young men of the
uetghborhood whom he wanted to keep out of the
saloons and aid TO become good citizens he made
himself a political power in the district IN
1899 he defeated lightning jim Stewart for
the Republican leadership Of the 2Oth Assembly
District and he held the leadership until two
years ago when he resigned it In order TO give
more time to the work of the ANTHOLOGY So
ciety Every year while he was leader
he gave large free excursions in the sum-
mer to the women and children Of the dis
trict He also organized the East Side Repubh-
can Club and made it a power against Tammany
Hall in what had been one of the strongest
Tammany districts. In 1900 Captain Goddard
defeated Charles A Hess in lively contest for
delegate TO the Republican National Convention
from the 18th Congress District.
Captafn Goddard began his work for the sup
preston Of policy in 1900, before be organized
| the Auti-Polcy Society. and it was owing to his
activity that CAP Adams the policy king
| was sent TO prison and most Of the policy shops
! in the city were closed. He personally con-
Quoted some of the earlier raids on policy shops
| after hiring detectives TO get evidence. When
| he became the head Of the society TO extermi-
| nate the nefarious game, he declared he would
| keep at the work until the policy had been
| put out Of the business Of robbing thousands Of
| the citys poor. He encouraged the agents OF
the society to constant activity, and he pleaded
with the courts inhict heavy penalties on
| the convicted policy men. He supported
heartily by most Of the newspapers of the city
in his work.
Last year Captain Goddard helped the war
against the poolrooms by getting evidence that
the booksellers had contracts with the Western
Union Telegraph Company for direct infOrma-
ton from the racetracks. He went through the
formalty Of making such a contract himself
under an assumed name. representing that he
was about TO open a poolroom. His disclosure
Of the facts caused directors OF the Western
Union TO insist on a dscontinuance Of the ser
vice to the poolrooms. the directors having been
ignorant of the facts until Captain Goddards
public statement appeared
Although Captain Goddard was mentioned
several times es a suitable candidate for office,
and was talked OF as a candidate for Mayor two
wears 20. he never allowed himself 10 be a can
dtdate for public office, declaring that he could
not spare the time TO be an ofhceholder. His
charitable work. which was growing every year.
his work for the Anti-PoIicy Society and his
business cares caused a nervous breakdown sew
eral weeks ago, and he went to his summer
home at Litchheld. in company with his wife,