The New England States are small geographically in comparison with the newer States of the Mississippi valley and the West, but they fill an important place in the national history of our country and they contribute men of dignity, worth and eminence to the national councils. Vermont with its "Green Mountain Boys" shared in the hardest fighting of the Revolution, and ever since the State has been energetic in its Americanism.

One of the worthiest examples of Vermont citizenship, and consequently of American citizenship, is the Honorable Redfield Proctor, United States Senator. It is an evidence of his own and his family's standing in the State to notice that he was born at Proctorsville, Ver mont, June 1, 1831, and that the town where he now lives is called Proctor. He gained his education in the town schools and in Dartmouth College, from which he graduated, and then choosing the profes sion of law for his career he completed his scholastic studies at the Albany Law School. During the War of the Rebellion he was active in his country's service. He was lieutenant and quartermaster of the Third Regiment of Vermont Volunteers, on the staff of Major-General William F. (“Baldy”) Smith, and was major of the Fifth and colonel of the Fifteenth Vermont Regiments.

After the war Colonel Proctor entered politics as a Republican. He was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives in 1867, 1868 and 1888, was a member of the State Senate and President pro-tempore of that body in 1874 and 1875, was Lieutenant Governor of Vermont from 1876 to 1878, and Governor from 1878 to 1880. As was natural to be expected, a citizen so honored in his own State soon became prominent in national affairs. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1884, and chairman of the Vermont delegation in the same conventions of 1888 and 1896. When President Harrison formed his cabinet at the beginning of his administration in March, 1889, Mr. Proctor was made Secretary of War. In November, 1891, he resigned from the cabinet to accept the appointment as United States Senator to succeed George F. Edmunds, and October 18, 1892, was elected by the Vermont Legislature to fill both the unexpired and the full terms. Re-elected again in 1899, his term will expire in 1905. Senator Proctor is a consistent and earnest Republican, who stands high in influence in his party and in the Senate.

Cornelius N. Bliss, of New York, was born in Fall River, Mass., January 26, 1833. He attended the common schools until he was fourteen years old. Then, with his mother and stepfather, Edward S. Keep, he removed to New Orleans, where his stepfather engaged in the dry goods business. After two years in the high school there, young Bliss was put into the counting room. The work was to his taste, and in a year he had mastered the business. At that time the largest dry goods house in the United States was that conducted by James M. Barbee & Co., of Boston, and toward the north the eyes of young Bliss longingly turned. In 1848 the boy went north and secured a place with Barbee & Co. His natural aptitude for the business, his energy, his mastery of details and his honesty made him a partner in the firm in less than five years, and this partnership lasted until 1866, when the firm dissolved, the members retiring with considerable money. Mr. Bliss shortly afterward became a member of the firm of John and Eben Wright & Co. A branch house was opened in New York by the firm, and Mr. Bliss came on to take charge of the business. About that time the firm name was changed to Wright, Bliss & Fabyan, and three or four years later to Bliss, Fabyan & Co.

In politics Mr. Bliss is an uncompromising Republican. He voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and has been a Republican ever since. He has always taken an active part in politics. In 1885 he was prominently mentioned as the party candidate for the governorship of New York. In 1887 he was elected chairman of the Republican State Committee against his wishes. He accepted it, however, and worked hard for the good of his party in the State through 1887 and 1888. He resigned in the latter year on account of the pressure of business. President Harrison seriously considered the name of Mr. Bliss in making up his cabinet in 1888 and 1889. Mr. Bliss was appointed a delegate to the International American Congress in 1889, and here he served with credit to himself and honor to the country. In 1891 Mr. Bliss refused to have his name presented to the convention as a candidate for the nomination of governor. He was treasurer of the national Republican committee in 1892 and 1896. He was appointed Secretary of the Interior March 5, 1897.

RICHARD YATES

Richard Yates, the Republican candidate for Governor of Illinois, was born in Jacksonville, in that State, on December 12, 1860. His father was Richard Yates, the famous war Governor of Illinois, whose unfaltering adherence to the cause of the Union is a matter of pride to all the citizens of his State. Richard Yates, Jr., was educated at Whipple Academy and at Illinois College, both of which are at Jacksonville. William J. Bryan was also a student in both of these institutions at the same time with Mr. Yates, though the latter graduated from college in 1880 one year before Mr. Bryan. His undergraduate days over, he began newspaper work, and for a time was city editor of the Jacksonville Daily Journal. He left that paper to study law at the University of Michigan, but after two years was compelled to leave Ann Arbor on account of lack of funds. After two years more spent in newspaper work he resumed his law course, and graduated in 1884.

Returning to Jacksonville, he began the practice of his profession, and at once took an active interest in politics. In 1885 he was elected city attorney, and by re-elections continued in that office until 1891. In the following year the Republicans nominated him for congressman-atlarge, but he was defeated with the rest of the ticket. Two years later he was elected county judge of Morgan county, although that county usually goes Democratic. Mr. Yates was a strong supporter of Mr. McKinley in the Presidential campaign of 1896, and in the June following the beginning of the present administration he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the Eighth District of Illinois. Judge Yates is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a teacher in the Sunday school at Jacksonville. He has taken an active part in church affairs, and served as a delegate to the general conference which was held in Chicago in 1900. He left the conference to attend the Peoria convention, which nominated him, but returned at the earliest moment possible. On his first reappearance at the Auditorium, he was received with great enthusiasm and bailed as the future Governor of Illinois. On October 23, 1888, he married Miss Nellie Wadsworth, whe had been a student with him at Illinois College. They have two daughters.