Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1923-06-27
LABOR
HEAD, IS DEAD
Commissioner for 20 Years,
Passes Away Suddenly at
Trenton Today

TRENTON, June 27-State Com
missioner of Labor Lewis 7. Bryant
of Atlantic City. died suddenly here
of heart trouble about o'clock
this morning.
Commissioner Bryant had been
labor commissioner for twenty years
having been named originally by
Governor Murphy. He was Re-
publican, but was reappointed by
Democratic executives and was tc
have started another term in Sep.
tember under appointment of Gov
ernor SilZer.
His wife and two sons, one a stu
dent at Princeton university, sur.
vive. The body was sent to Atlantic
City this morning.
General Bryant apparently was in
his usual health yesterday and sat
on the federal grand jury in New
ark. Returning to Trenton late in
the afternoon he spent the evening
at work in his offices in the states
industrial rehabilitation clinic build
ing on East State street. He retired
there at midnight and awakened as
sistants at 1880, saying he was not
well. Two doctors were summoned,
but he died half hour later.
Shortly after arrival of the ply
sicians, General Bryant said: well,
boys, 1 guess I am through" He
died shortly after losing conscious
ness.
General Bryant was born in At
lantic county, July, 1874. He was
graduated from Pennsylvania mil
itary college at Chester, Pa, with the
degree of civil engineer. was admit
ted TO the New Jersey bar in 1898;
mustered into the United States
Volunteer army as captain of Com
pany F., Fourth New Jersey Volun-
teer Infantry, July IA, of the same
year.
He was promoted to Major in the
same regiment in the spring OF
1899, and was made assistant in
spector general of the National
Guard of New Jersey, with the rank
of Lieutenant Colonel. He was CIV
en- the Brevet rank of Brigadier
General on his retirement.
On January s, 1904, he was ap-
pointed inspector of factories and
workshops, to fill a vacancy caused
by the resignation of John c. Ward
The title of the Office was changed
to that of Commissioner of Depart
ment of Labor by an act of the Leg
islature and on March "a, 1904, the
general was appointed as such by
Governor Murphy, and was confirm
ed by the Senate on the next day fol-
a term of three years at S2,500 a
year.
In 1907 he was given another term
by Governor Stokes at salary OF
$S,500, and he was reappointed by
Governor Fort in 1910. On Febru-
ary IS, 1918, Governor Woodrow
Wilson appointed the general for an
other term. A campaign has been
on foot to have Governor Wilson
name a Democrat. The re-appoint-
ment by Wilson brought the gener-
ais term into the Fielder admins
tration. The legislature adopted q
term -extender, which deprived Gov
ernor Fielder of the power of ap-
pointment. During the Edge re-
gime, he was given another five year
term. which carried him beyond the
Edwards administration.
Early this year Governor Pinchot
of Pennsylvania offered Mr.. Bryant
the post of labor commissioner of
that state. Bryant turned down the
proffer, although he was not sure he
would be reappointed in New Jersey
Governor Silzer, however, placing
faithful service above partisanship
re-appointed Bryant at the last ses-
sion of the legislature for a five
year term, to begin September 2
next. The governor will now make
an ad interim appointment.
Mr.. Bryant served as secretary OF
the New Jersey commission, Louis
lana purchase exposition, from De-
cember 8, 1908, until the commission
concluded it's business. He was iden-
tilted with the hotel interests in At
lantic City.
Governor Silzer has sent the fol-
lowing telegram to Mrs. Bryant at
Atlantic City:
Il was deeply shocked and griev-
ed to learn of the death of your
husband. The state of New Jersey
has lost a tireless and devoted pub
lie servant and 1 want to express
my profound sympathy in your be-
reavement."
Buy Chevrolet and go wherever your
fancy leads. Jefferson Motors, Inc. Phone