Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-06


Democratic nomination for the Presidency.
High honors have come to him frequently in
his long career in the public service.
1t is worthy of note that he has occupied
a number of important official positions
by appointment of Republican Presidents.
Delaware's first citizen" is a lineal de-
scendant of William Gray, Irish immi-
grant who sailed for this country in the
early days of the 18th century, Both Will
liam Gray and his wife died of ship fever on
the journey. A son, William, survived and
was cared for by Andrew Caldwell, leading
citizen OF Delaware, whose daughter he
afterwards married Andrew Gray, the
father of the Judge, was a business man
and lawyer of considerable note. His son
George was born at New Castle, May 4,
1910. AS boy, he developed keen interest
in mechanical contrivances. His boyhood
was spent largely at New Castle. where he
received his early education. In spare time
he was frequently seen driving a locomo-
tive near his home or sailing a yacht in the
Delaware River. He entered Princeton
University where his grandfather had grad
uated, at the age of II years, and finished his
course in 1859 at the head of his class. Dur
ing the college days his father met with
severe financial losses, which permitted
young Gray to take only one years course
in the Harvard Law School. He read law
in the office of his father and under Judge
William c. Spruance, at New Castle. In
1863 he was admitted to the bar and began
an active practice.
He rose rapidly to a well-earned reputa-
tion in his profession and served two terms
as Attorney General of Delaware. Thou IN
never a self-seeking politician, Gray made
his mark in national politics as far back as
the Democratic convention at Cincinnati in
1880. 1t was sweltering hot weather. The
delegates crowded the great hall in their shirt
sleeves A battle of the old giants was being
fought. Tammany had again been rejected.
Her delegates had been thrown out after
having obtained favorable report from the
Committee on Credentials Men shook their
fists in one another's faces and swore as the
convention, like an Overladen ship in heavy
sea, slowly labored its way toward a noml-
nation. The roll of States was called for can
didates. The name of Justice Field Of Cali
fornia, was placed before the convention by
a man who could not still the tumult for an
instant. He was not heard ten feet away
from where he stood. Then came the call of
che State OF Delaware A stalwart young
giant mounted the platform. Still the dele.
gates shook their fists and swore.
QuelIs Political Mob
The giant began to speak. Silence fell oven
the mob that had not been silent In three
days. The giant did not gestieulate and rant.
He simply talked. AS he talked the mob
realized that a new orator had been born
"AIr Chairman" said the young giant, "our
eandidate-he is no carpet knight rashly put
forth TO flesh maiden sword in this great
contest. He IL veteran, covered with ths
scars of many a hard-fought battle Where tba
principles OF constitutional liberty have been
at stake. in an arena where the giants of
radicaism were his foes"
The speaker was placing in nomination
Thomas f. Bayard-Bayard. who had gone
down before TiIden in st. Louis four years
before. who was to fall before .Haneoek the
next day. and who four years later vas 10
be unhoFsed y Cleveland IN Chicago. The