Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Volume II, Number 168, 9 April 1891 — The Late John F. Switt. [ARTICLE]

The Late John F. Switt.

One of the luen of whom California has rcason to be proud is John F. Swift, thc iate U/S. Minist(?r to Japan.. Having heen attracted to Califbrnia,; in the <lays of the Argonauts, andlike hundreds of others disappointed in g>)M-hunting, lie worked as a tinsmitn and sold veg« etables fn the market and found time to study law. He won distinetion at the bar. and drifting into politics became known as one of the most scholarly men in public life. Mr. Swift was not cut out for a pernaanent success as a politician. He had independence, and when he saw a pnneiplehe made straight for it. His honesty cf purposeand unflinching adherence to what was true andof benefit to the masses brought him the powerful enmity of the inonopolist .claß9, who devoted consid,erable pains and making trouble for him at critical moments As a diplomat Mr. Swift achieved a creditable record and in the treaty restricting Chine?e imigration he, as one of the three commissieners, ! was doubtless the true representative of California's demands. Long wiil his memorv be cherished by the workingmenSvf tlie Unitod States.