New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-07
OSCAR S. STRAUS
ALWAYS Independent
Progressive Candidate the Finn
Jew to Hold a Place in the
Presidents Cabinet.
TWICE ENVOY TO TURKEY
Began Career as Lawyer. I'm,
Later Entered Firm of Hin
Father-Interested in
Civic Betterment.

Oscar Solomon strsus, brother ~ =.
than Straus and OF the late Isidor s,r,r.
who lost his life IN the Titanic dis,,,..
has always been an independent In nsx
tics. He was secretary Of the Citizss,
Committee that helped elect William
Grace Mayor. and was prominent IN n.
Merchants and Business Mems Organ,z.
tion which supported the Democrx,y
ticket In lss4. In 1896 and 1900 he ,,n
ported Mckinley and in 1894 was strong,
I'm favor OF Roosevelt. In 1906 ne "a,
made Secretary OF Commerce and Lsb,,
by Mr. Roosevelt, winning the disuncuo,
Of being the first Jew 70 hold a plac. !,
the Cabinet OF President OF the Unlas
States
He was born in 1870, and is the third
son Of the late Lazarus Straus. who v,s
well known in New York as the fou,6s.
OF the firm OF L. Straus & Sons, impo1,
ers OF pottery and glassware. Mr.. s,rsus
ancestors were agriculturists, and h.s
father had an estate In Bavaria. rss
elder Straus took part IN the revolutier
OF ls4s. and met Carl Schurz, with whom
ne maintained friendly relations urtg
his death In 1895 He was driven from
Germany for the part he had taken "a
the revolution and found refuge IN tan
country. settling in Philadelphia whsss
ne found several small merchants vi,
had been workmen on his farm IN b.
varia. He later settled IN Talootton "a
Nj. straus spent most OF his boz.
hood in Georgia. Al the age OF ten b
was placed in the care Of & private tatcs
by his father. and then was sent 20 CO..
Angsworth Institute. In ls5 Lsza,ss
straus came TO New York The war hsi
forced him % the wall He paid OF a.
his creditors. who were New Workers. snE
then. again a poor man, opened a crock
cry store IN Chambers street The bust
ness grew and nourished.
Oscar. following his fathers belief ~
,he value OF an education, was oesirous q
preparing for college. Soon after the e.
rival OF the family In New York ne en-
tered Columbia Grammar School and a.
tended II for TWO years, and then entered
Columbia College. He was grsduatet Ia
ISL. the fifth IL hts class SJuyvesart
Fish was In the same class a. vas
Brander Matthews. who ran agsrs
Straus for the post Of class poet and vas
defeated. Mr.. Straus supported himsss
while in college by writing for -hs news
papers. he was graduated from the Co
lumbla Law schoo, IN $50 While a
student IN this school he was clerk u
the law firm OF Charles O.coaor, Ias
prosecutor Of the Tweed rms
Mr.. straus later began 20 practise lEz
With James \ Hudson. under the firm
name OF Hudson & sUaus Afterwss
The Arm became Stern. straus & Tnomp
son II was prominent in corporaiioa
practice and was counsel Tor the nan
per Of Commerce. the Board o. Tracs
md other prominent corporations stres.
u work so undermined Mr. strauss
health that he suffered from nervous
and was compelled % give Up
ais practice OF Law In 1880 After resting
or some months ne Joined his fatners
firm.
Mr straus was appointed Minister "
Turkey IN 1851 by President Cleveland %
succeed the late $ s Cox. His missioa
% that country was remarkably success
vi. HIS knowledge Of international ar
brought him into intimate relauo"
With the Porte. and this enabled hin y
,btain great concessions for the American
mission schools He obtained letter
rom the Sultan which acted a cnar
er. and under this fifty schools mat nsa
,een closed for years we're recpened' am
M the $50 missions were amply proteetea
IN Europe Mr. straus met Baron as
Iirsch. who conferred with him relatNs
o the establishment Of the Baron ce
Iirsch Fund for the relief OF imm-Srsae
ir. straus agreed 10 Be trustee o. tn'
lind. In 1880 ne returned 20 Anenc~
4e was reappointed 20 the office az MN
ster 10 Turkey IN 1895 by President NE
<inley. and retained Il for three ysan
n lsOg President Roosevelt appointed ora
% the vacancy In the Permanent CoaH
u Arbitration at The Hague caused "
he death OF ex-President Harrison.
Mr.. straus has all his life been a oesa
tudent Of history and international hs
mi is the author OF numerous pubic
ions dealing with these subjects. In -
lie published The Origin OF the kepu'
lean Form OF Government IN the Ini'sl
states" lie Is also the autho. OF
life OF Roger Williams and The ps
,elopment OF Religious Liberty IN tns
United States" 4 treatise on The nc
orm OF the Diplomatic Service cams
rom his pen about the time wneh 'n'
venezuelan controversy started.
Mr.. straus is ex-president OF the -s''
FORK Board OF Trade and Transpor's"o.
md OF the National Primsry League A.s
he American Social Science AssoeiA'lO"'
lie is vice-president OF the National opsN
federation and a member Of the late'uNr
ional Law Association. lie Is dlreS..f
II the Hebrew orphan Asylum anu
everal other sectarian and non-se0i'
fpa