commercial interests of the road and of its entire traffic, until called to take the position of secretary of the navy. His long-standing connection with the transportation business and with many other lines of commercial enterprise has given him a very wide personal acquaintance throughout the United States. He has never been active in politics, but had usually voted the national Democratic ticket until 1896, when the attitude of that party on the silver question led him to vote for President McKinley; and he has been in sympathy with the Republican party since that date. In personal and business relations he is frank and outspoken.
He has always been much interested in the reclamation of the arid lands of the United States, and has actively and intelligently studied the question of irrigation. He deems the law wise under which the receipts from the sale and disposal of public lands in certain states and territories are set aside and used in the construction of irrigation works, and he believes that it is a wise policy for the United States Government to appropriate money for building reservoirs to conserve the flood-waters which now go to waste, and cause so much damage along our great western rivers. He maintains that an intelligent administration of our already existing irrigation laws will reclaim millions of dollars' worth of land which is now practically worthless, and avert the disasters which have been occurring annually in the south along the Mississippi, and on other western rivers.
Mr. Morton's early home life in the growing state of Nebraska, the character of his parents, who steadily supported all action which was noble, enterprising and good—his own industry and application, together with the natural powers of a well-endowed mind, and the discipline which comes from filling responsible positions, have combined to make him the forceful and intelligent man needed for the important places he has recently filled.
Secretary Morton was married May 13, 1880, to Miss Charlotte Goodridge, of Chicago. They have had two daughters and one son, the latter dying in infancy. The oldest daughter married in 1901, Mr. William C. Potter.
On July 1, 1905, Mr. Morton's resignation from the cabinet took effect. He then became the acting head of the Equitable Life Assurance Society, of New York, to reorganize that important corporation, and on the twenty-sixth of the same month, at a regular meeting of the board of directors, he was elected its president.
