The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-04-23
CHAUNCEY DEPEW
IS EIGHTY TODAY.
Famous Financier Receives Flood
of CongratuIatory Messages

New YORK, NpTll 81 hduh''S W
Dopew. former United states senator
,,,,vcr nnancier. railroad president
,,otor and past master of the art oi
orter-dinner speaking, celebrated his
oiohtieth birthday anniversary today.
,,,,t the occasion was marked by the
,.,oipt of Hood of concentrations IL
is scarcely necessary To state. for few
man i'm America have wider circle of
,riopds and acquaintances than the
oanial ex-senator from New York.
,Ioro than TWO weeks ago his more in
innate friends. business associates and
toII,,y club members commenced 10
give dinners complimentary to Mr.. De-
now and i'm recognition of his reaching
IN. are of four-scorc years. The eX-
senator is in excellent health for a
man Of his years ana AZ seasoned a
bonauetter as could he found any =
where in the land, but the rapid-ilre
manner i'm which the complimentary
dinners we're being thrust upon him
was rather more than he could slant
81 Al
a bit rather than incur tie risk OF
making his cightieth milestone the last
of his life's journey.
Ascent Was Rapid.
The general public has been so used
IN associating Mr. Depew's name with
after-dnner speaking and the telling
of humorous stories and anecdotes
that the high lights i'm his long and
bnsv career have been almost forgot
fen Nearly fifty years ago he was
admitted To the bar and soon became
q leader i'm his profession. At the close
of the civil war he was appointed at
toruey for the New York and Harlem
Railroad company. which position ne
held for several years. In 1873 he was
made general counsel for the New
York Central and Hudson River Rail-
road company and has ever since re-
NAMED identified with that company
and with various other railroads atiiill-
atcd with the Vanderbilt system. He
was elected president of the New York
Central in 1885. resigninE i'm 1899 10
become chairman Of the board of di-
rectors of the New York Central, tho |
Lake shore the Michigan Central. and
the New York. Chicago ana 81. Louis |
Railroad companies.
Led New York G. o. p. In 1868.
Mr. DepeW entered the field of poll |
ties at an early age and i'm 1861 was |
elected Ia the New York legislature. |
Two years later hc led the Republican
for secretary of state, and reversed
the Democratic success of the prcccd-
ing year. but declined reuomination
at the expiration OF his term
Ute was candidate for lieutenant
governor in 1872 ON the Liberal Repup-
hcan or Greeley ticket, but acted with
the Republican party the next year.
In 1881 he was candidate for United
States senator To succeed Thomas &.
PIatt who resigned, but after "a long
the senatorship in 1855. but declined
the nomination owing to professional
and business considerations. Finally
in 1899. he was elected To the senate 20
succeed Edward Murphy, Jr.. and WAS
reelected in 1908. Ills term expired
In 1911, when he was succeeded by
James \. OGorman.
Rejected Lincoln's Appointment.
Early i'm his career Mr.. Depew was
offered the post of minister To Japan
Ii 4 |
ilrmed the appointment. but Mr.. De-
pew declined Ia accept the honor, be-
cause he was not inclined at that time
TO venture upon a political career.
Another fact now almost forgotten IS
t"at Mr. Dcpew was prominent can
0h'ate for the Republican presidential
nomination in 1883. He served as one
81 the Big Four" from New York ut
H'e OF the national conventions of his
party In the convention of 1892 he
presented the name of President lar-
fSon for denomination.
Ever since his COLLEGE days at Yale
MT Dcpew has showed marked orator
''al ability ana particular facility as
an aitor-dinner speaker. Although
MS oIatorical talent has been repeat
'ul\ recognized by his selection as
"'ator upon many important occasions.
~ Is ms great ability as AN after
u'"her speaker which has made him
i''houS ana won for him an inferno
'"h reputation. lie has been the ora
'r on three great national occasions.
th' un\ciling of the Statue of Liberty
=" 'nIS city. the centennial celebration
VI me inauguration of the first presi-
u'nt OF the United States. and the
ueu''atlon of the Worlds Columbian
.ApoSition in Chicago i'm 1892