New-York tribune., 1920-05-17

Legation to more suitable quarters. He
found them over laundry and grocery
store and took 1t upon himself to hire
q fine house in better neighborhood
The new establishment quickly became
the one rendezvous in Paris where the
leading oliticians-royalist, republi-
can and radical--could meet socially.
Through Mr.. Morton's acquaintance
with bankers and manufacturers he
was able to secure favorable considera-
tion of many diplomatic questions. Mr..
Morton was successful in obtaining a
legal status for American corporations
in France. The honor Of driving the
| first nail in the construction Of the
Statue Of Liberty was Mr.. Morton's,
and he also delivered tho speech ac
ceptng the statue in behalf Of the
American government.
The election Of Cleveland to the
Presidency in 1884 led to Mr.. Morton's
retirement as minister. He had made
himself very popular in Paris, and the
leaders Of the official and social life
of the city expressed the keenest re-
gret at his departure.
In January, 1885, Mr.. Morton was a
candidate for the United States SEN
ate before the Republican caucus.
William M. Evarts, however, secured
the prize, the vote being: Evarts, 81;
Morton, %, and Depew, g. Two years
later Mr.. Morton was again candl-
date, receiving 33 votes on the first
ballot, as against 43 for Warner Miller
and IL for Frank Hiscock. On the sec
ond ballot Mr.. Hiscock was unanimous
ly chosen.
Vice-Prcsident and Governor.
Mr.. Morton continued to be a promi-
~: L.
feats. In June, 1888, he was nomi
mated for Vice President on the ticket
with Benjamin Harrison, and was elect
ed in November of that year. AS Vice
President Mr.. Morton conducted him
self with gracious dignity, and by
steering clear of factional quarrels in
his party added greatly to his reputa-
tion and popularity. He occupied a
magnificent home in Scott Circle,
Washington, and here he and Mrs.
Morton did considerable entertaining.
In 1894 Mr.. Morton was chosen as
the nominee of his party for Governor
of New York. He was elected by more
than $4,000 plurality over David B.
Hill, the Democratic candidate. This
was one of the largest pluralities ever
received by candidate for Governor
in New York
As Governor Mr.. Morton displayed a
high sense Of official responsibility
and duty, his experience and training
as business man proving most val
uablc asset in dealing with the prob
noteworthy achievements of his ad-
ministratlon were the enactment OF the
Raines law and the passage of the
greater New York bill.
The attention Mr. Morton attracted
as Governor caused his name to be
mentioned throughout the country as
the nominee Of his party for the Pres
idency in 1896. The New York kcpuo-
licans in their state convention IL
structed their delegates to the national
convention in his favor and Chauncoy
M. Depew was chosen to make the NOM
mating speech. Before the national
convention met, however, the tide IA
voring William McKinleys nomination
set in strongly, and Mr.. Morton polled
only SO votes on the first and only
ballot. Mckinley received 66l1a and
Thomas B. Reed 84h.
Mr.. Morton had now reached the agf
of seventytwo, and, although his men
tai and physical powers were unim-
paired, he withdrew from politics.
Works of Philanthropy.
Mr.. Morton was prominent in works
of charity. In 1880 Congress, moved
by the suffering in Ireland, placed the
ship Constellation at the disposal Of
any one willing to send relief to the
afflicted land. Several weeks afterward
been made to load the vessel, SO he a.
dressed letter to "The New York
Herald" in which he said:
"You are authorized to announce
that gentleman known to you, who
declines to have his name made public
offers to pay for one-quarter of the
cargo Of the Constellation if other par
ties will make up the balance"
The proprietor of The Herald" and
quarter and other men furnished the
fourth quarter.
In the summer of 1880, when five
hundred workmen were unable to OBJ
tain their wages owing to the failure
of the Rockaway Beach Improvement
Company, Mr.. Morton's banking ru
joined with the house of Drexel. Nor
gan & Co. in contributing 100000 fol
the relief of the workingmen.
.. In 1904 Mr.. Morton gave $500, 600 t.
the Cathedral Of St. John the Divine
to cover the cost Of the organ anc
reredos: Among other gifts of Mr.
Morton's were a site for an art CALLER;
and museum to Dartmouth College anc
,, property valued at S150,o0O at Red Sui.
, phur Springs, w. Va, for a sanatorlur,
for consumptives.
Home and Family.
Mr.. Morton was twice married. His
first wife was Lucy Kmball daughte,
Of Elijah and Sarah w. Kimball, OF
) Flatlands, Long Island. She died in
, 1874. In her memory Mr.. Morton built
! the Grace Memorial Chapel, in Fourth
Avenue, this city. Mr.. Morton's secona
) wife was Anna Livingston Street
. daughter of William L. Street. Five
| daughters were born to him. OF
} these, the eldest, Edith, is the wife
of William Corcoran Eustis, of Wash
ington; Alice is the wife of Winthrop
: Rutherfurd Mary is now Mrs. Clar.
ence Whitman. Helen Morton was
married in 1901 to Count Bosom dc
Perigord, who afterward became Duke
Of Valencay. She WAS divorced from
, him in 1905 and resumed her maider
name. Another daughter, Lena, dice
many years ago
The Mortons lived in fine residence
! at 681 Fifth Avenue until the latter par,
of December, 1911, when business en-.
croachments forced them to take ar
apartment in the twelve story apart
. ment house at the northeast corner o.
,, Fifth Avenue and Eightyfirst Street
! The summer home at Rhinecliff com
= prises 1000 acresA