From Lincoln to Taft, 1854-1908: Why I Am a Republican, the History and Achievements of the Republican Party (Classic Reprint)
(Excerpt from From Lincoln to Taft, 1854-1908: Why I Am a ...)
Excerpt from From Lincoln to Taft, 1854-1908: Why I Am a Republican, the History and Achievements of the Republican Party
October - Free State men meet in convention at Topeka and adopt a constitution under which they apply for admission to the Union.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
Charles Emory Smith was an American journalist and political leader.
Background
He was born on February 18, 1842 at Mansfield, Connecticut, United States, but when he was seven years old his father, a manufacturer of silk, moved to Albany, New York. He was a son of Emory Boutelle and Arvilla Topliff (Royce) Smith, representatives of old New England families.
Education
Charles attended the public schools and Albany Academy, from which he was graduated at the age of sixteen. In 1859 he entered Union College as a junior, graduating in 1861.
Career
While still in school he began his journalistic career by writing for the Albany Evening Transcript. His college years were chiefly noteworthy for his leadership in student journalism and in an organization formed to promote the success of the Republican party in the election of 1860.
At the beginning of the Civil War he became military secretary to Brigadier-General John F. Rathbone, assisting him in the administration of the recruit depot at Albany and later was in the office of the adjutant-general. Toward the end of 1862, he resigned and became an instructor in Albany Academy, at the same time contributing two columns of editorials daily to the Albany Express, the staff of which he joined in 1865. Five years later he became associate editor of the Albany Evening Journal, the leading Republican newspaper of up-state New York, and in 1874, editor. During the next six years he wrote nearly all the state Republican platforms and in 1876, most of the national platform.
In 1879 he was elected a member of the board of regents of the University of the State of New York. He was called to Philadelphia in 1880 to become editor of the Philadelphia Press, which had declined considerably in circulation and influence after the retirement of John W. Forney.
For two years, beginning February 14, 1890, he was minister to Russia, and won popularity both there and in the United States by his distribution of American relief funds to famine sufferers. In 1898 President McKinley appointed him postmaster-general in order, it was supposed, that he might have his advice on the political problems of the Spanish-American War period. In the management of his department he was active in preventing the use of the mails by vendors of quack remedies and worthless securities, and for fraudulent purposes generally.
During his absence in Washington his business interests suffered and he resigned in 1901 to give them his full attention. He died in Philadelphia.
(Excerpt from From Lincoln to Taft, 1854-1908: Why I Am a ...)
Politics
Toward local matters his attitude was progressive; but he was generally conservative in his discussions of national questions. He advocated the nomination and election of Blaine in 1884 and stressed the benefits of the protective tariff, the gold standard, and other favorite measures of the Eastern Republicans.
Views
He justified rural free delivery service as a means of promoting good roads, enhancing farm values, and making rural life less isolated and more attractive. He supported the efforts of a subordinate to stamp out corruption in the postal service which his department had established in Cuba.
Personality
In person he was described as a man of medium height and slender build with a round face and piercing black eyes. He won a considerable reputation as an effective and accomplished public speaker.
Quotes from others about the person
According to one of his colleagues, John D. Long, he contributed to the cabinet counsels "generous and progressive views on all political questions" (The New American Navy, 1903).
Connections
He was married first, June 30, 1863, to Ella Huntley; after her death he was married, October 3, 1907, to Nettie Nichols.