The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-05-17
sudden Death Calls James F. Lardner
Levi P. Morton, Noted
Financier, Politician,
Dies on Goth Birthday

FougnKeepsle, n. y, May H.
Levi P. Morton. former vice presi-
dent Of the United States, died at
his home at Reinbeck, n. Y, yes
terday, on his 96th birthday.
Levi Parsons Morton was the
22nd vice president of the United
States, the running mate of Benja-
min Harrison in 1883. At II years
Of age he rounded out his political
life as governor of New York state.
Although born the son of a cler-
gyman in poor circumstances at
Shoreham, VT. May Is, 1924, he
forced his way to the front in the
business and financial world until
he became one of the money pow
ers of the country. He had the
blood Of fnancier in his veins
descendant as he was OF George
Morton Of York. England, who rails
ed funds to send the Pilgrims to
America on the Mayfower
Began Cierking at II.
Clerk in country store at IA,
proprietor of his own little dry
goods store at Il. he started his
banking career at IS as a partner
of Junius S. Morgon, father of the
late j. Pierpont Morgan; and 10
years later founded his own house
of l.. P. Morton & CO., which be-
/ came the fiscal agent of the gov
ernment. Under its guidance it
conducted SINE of the largest ne
+, gotiations in the history Of Ameri-
/ can finance. Its London branch
fioated the 5 per cent loan, with
| other European bankers, which en-
abled the United States government
to resume specie payment in 1871,
saving S70,000,000 in interest. This
payment had been suspended dur
! ing and after the Civil war.
| MoTton's financial operations
brought him into political prom
! inence. He entered congress in
1878 and established reputation
in the fght over unlimited free
| coinage OF silver. He was urged to
accept nomination for vice presi-
dent with President Garfield, but
declined. He was offered a port
folio in the cabinet as secretary OF
the navy, and refused again.
Becomes Envoy to France.
The offer TO become minister to
France appealed TO him. He ac-
cepted and remained during Gar
fields and Arthurs administra-
tions. He secured the legal status
of American corporations in
France. He drove the first nail in
the construction of the Statue of
Liberty, and publicly accepted it in
1864 in behalf of the United States.
: He established himself so firmly in
the hearts of the French people
! that the square in which his lega-
ton stood in Paris was named
place des Etats Unis."
| When a New York man was de-
sired in 1888 to stand on the Re-
publican national ticket with Ben
jamin Harrison, MIR. Morton was
the choice of the convention by a
large majority AS presiding Off
Ger in the senate. he gained the
praise of both parties for the vigor
and the fairness Of his policy. Mr..
Morton concluded his political ca
reer as governor of his state, TAX
ing Office in 1895 and serving two
years. He signed the bill which
abolished the ward-trustee system
of school government in New York
city, and the so-called Raines liquor
law.
A Multi Millionaire.
After leaving Office in his vigor-
Gus old age he still was active in
the directorates Of many corpora
tions. He was rated a millionaire
many times over.
| Mr.. Morton was twice married.
His first wife was Lucy kimhall,
who died in 1871. His second was
Anna Livingston. member OF an old
Manhattan family.