Cornelius Newton Bliss was an American businessman and politician. He was the head of one of the largest wholesale dry-goods houses in the country, Bliss, Fabyan & Company.
Background
Cornelius Bliss was born on January 26, 1833, in Fall River, Massachusetts, United States, the son of Asahel Newton Bliss and of Irene Borden (Luther) Bliss. His father died at the age of twenty-six when the son was still very young. His mother, re-marrying, removed to New Orleans with her husband, Edward S. Keep, and the boy was left in the competent care of his grandmother.
Education
Cornelius attended the public schools of Fall River, and Fisher's Academy, working at odd jobs in his spare time.
Career
At the age of fourteen Cornelius joined his mother in New Orleans, and for a short time was clerk in the dry-goods store of his stepfather. Seeing little opportunity for a business career in the South, he returned to New England, and in Boston sought employment from James M. Beebe, then the leading dry-goods merchant of New England. He was given a beginner's place, from which he steadily rose until he became a member of the firm. There was in the employ of J. M. Beebe & Company during these years another young man, who was destined to large things in business and politics. This was Levi P. Morton, and the friendship between him and Bliss lasted as long as they both lived.
In 1866 Bliss became convinced that manufacturing offered greater opportunities than wholesaling, and, severing his connection with J. M. Beebe & Company, he became the New York partner in the house of J. S. & E. Wright of Boston, operators of large textile mills. Soon the New York branch outstripped the mother house in volume of business, and the firm of Wright, Bliss & Fabyan became one of the most important in its line in the United States. On the death of the Wrights, the firm took the name of Bliss, Fabyan & Company, and Bliss remained its head until his death.
On becoming a citizen of New York he took an immediate and intelligent interest in the civic and political affairs of the city. He was a Republican of the conservative type, but he frequently opposed with vigor the policies and performances of Thomas C. Platt, then the Republican leader of the state. In 1884 he supported Chester A. Arthur for the presidency, and in 1887 served as chairman of the Republican state committee. He began in 1892 his long service as treasurer of the Republican national committee. In this capacity he served with great ability in the presidential campaigns of 1892, 1896, 1900, and 1904. In the last year Alton B. Parker, Democratic candidate for the presidency, charged that Bliss, as treasurer of the Republican national committee, had procured excessively large contributions from corporations, and especially from those benefited by a high protective tariff. To these charges Bliss made no reply, and refused in any way to be drawn into the controversy. He declined, however, to serve longer as treasurer.
In 1896 he was urged by McKinley to accept the Treasury portfolio, but refused. He agreed, however, in order to relieve the President in an awkward political complication, to become secretary of the interior. This office he filled most competently for two years. He had, however, little liking for the routine of political office, and resigned in 1898 to return to the management of his business. President McKinley urged him in 1900 to accept the nomination for the vice-presidency, but he declined. Had his decision been otherwise, he, and not Theodore Roosevelt, would have become president in 1901.
Bliss refused repeatedly to be a candidate for state and municipal offices, including those of mayor of the city and governor of the state. Nevertheless, he gave his services freely as a member of civic and political committees.
Achievements
Politics
Bliss was a member of the Republican party.
Connections
Bliss was married, on March 30, 1859, to Elizabeth Mary Plummer of Boston.