The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-02-20

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rich and poor with the same urbanity
and kind consideration, and is attec-
tlonately regarded by all Of his en-
ployees. Philanthropy and gene
rosity are marked features in his
character. He supported the war for
| the Union with all his influence and
by heavy contributions, and is now
contributing largely toward the suf-
fering South His private donations
are very large, amounting to tens Of
thousands Of dollars every year.
There is also i'll Mr.. Clahin q vein of
electricity i'll his business manners,
which seems to inspire and elecrify
everybody with whom he comes in
contact.
The next member is II. B. Clafin,
Jr. This young gentleman is twenty
four years of age, and has charge of
the whole foreign department, and is
the resident European partner, re-
siding in Manchester, England. All
the various branches of this vast
house throughout Europe, are under
his personal direction, and from the
extraordinary capacity he has thus
far shown III one so young, there is
no question that, if his health is
spared, he will one day make u
worthy successor of his patron sire.
Mr.. E. L. Eames is the next part
ner, who also comes from Massachu-
setts. This gentleman has the prin-
cipal supervision of the vast purchas-
ing department, III which, during
the last year, the expenditures
amounted to the snug sum of nearly
seventy millions, Judging from the
amount of sales. AS may be readily
imagined, his duties arc multifarious,
but as he is q gentleman Of the closest
application to business, everything
IN his hands goes along like clock
work. Mr.. Eames is 35 years Of age
and resides in Brooklyn.
The fourth member of the firm
who go to make up this quartette of
representative business men of this
great city, Mr.. e. w. Bancroft, who
is the superintendent of the Bureau
of Credits, and the general office bu-
siness. This gentleman's position
calls into action the most thorough
and complete executive talent. The
rap;dity with which he grasps and
disposes of the endless variety of
matters which are laid before him, is
absolutely astonishing. Possessing
an active and far-seeing mind, an
intuitive knowledge of human ma
ture, and perceptive organs Of rare
quality, he disposes of his enormous
duties with an ease and elegance
seldom if ever seen. He is exceed
ingly popular with the mercantile
world, and being affable and efficient
in his relations with the army of
clerks and others who are thrown in
business contact with him, it shows
that in all the branches of this great
firm, the right man is in the right
place.
If, in the administration of our
Government, one-half the ability
which is evinced by Clafin Il Co.
could be brought to bear in the va
rious departments at Washington, we
are satisfied that the American people
would be greatly benefited. Every
thing is SO nicely arranged, and so
evenly balanced, that not jar or
conflict OF the very numerous depart
ments ever occurs.
There are about 700 men employed,
embracing salesmen, ook-keepers,
shippers, receivers, porters, dray-
men, etc. Each department is sys-
tematized, and every precaution taken
against peculations or frauds Each
department is under the control of
one particular person, who is held
responsible for himself and the sub
ordinates who assist him. 1t is ne
cessary that the gentlemen occupying 2
these positions should be thorough
experts as to the quality of goods
under their control-to have a tho
rough knowledge of the markets, and
to be generally as we'll posted in the
business as any Of our leading mer-
chants. To this class are the princcly
salaries paid, which I will mention
For instance, the country boy, who
comes to New York to seek his for
tune, gets 5000 for the first year, and,
if found efficient, is advanced from
time to time. From this, salaries go
up to the enormous sums OF $50, 600
and $4,000 per annum.
From six to ten men are sent TO
Europe every season, on special mis-
sions, as special purchasers; while
agents OF the house can be found in
every fabric manufacturing district
in the world.
The dry goods market of the
United States is represented on the
principal floor of this establishment
| I IIo,o