New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-01


noreona attractions literally thrust herself into his
presence and demanded an interview; bat MS
refusal was so emphatic and his manner so stern
that she retreated thoroughly frightened. oh
another OCCASION Mrs. W., wife of an old acqnaiht-
ance and herself intimate in Nr"Chases family, ana
lady of great elegance, boosted that she wou'o
make him forego his rule She went 10 'he oncc
and sent in her card. He sent back a very cout'e-
Gus message explaining his regulation, anu
invited her at the Same time TO make
known her wishes through the messenger. But
Mrs w. had no wish except to make MN
break his rule in her favor. Presently she
sent her card second time, and received again the
same message. She then resolved upon another ex-
pedent. She gave the messenger at the ofhce-door
no opportunity to intercept her, except by an ACT Oh
great rudeness, and deliberately opened IT, ana,
stepping inside, asked the Secretary if she could
have an interview. His reply was stern and an
mistakabe MOP She burst into tears and re-
treated; Mr.. Chase, instantly full of regret FOL
lowed Mrs w. into the hall, and seating himself at
her side upon one of the Sofas expressed his sorrow
at what had happened; repeated the rule he had
prescribed for himself and explained its necessity
as he thought, and again asked her to state her
wishes; but did not invite her into his office"
Mr., Chase's industry in the public service was a
type of his general habit of life. He was never
man of society. He seldom went out even on those
ceremonial occasions prescribed by official etiquette
in Washington. He enjoyed the presence OF guests
at his own table, but not fond of sitting at the
tables of others. He took but little bodily exercise
until it was demanded by his impaired health. He
had love for simple and innocent games. Croquet
was special favOrite. He was fond of chess, but
hated cards, and all games of chance 1t Is doubt
full whether he ever went to theater in his life
I,,Nl re laff
him no time to indulge in it as luxury. He was
good classical scholar, and read French and German
with ease. His knowledge of history, though not
extensive, was accurate.
His mental operations were not rapid, buthe seldom
failed TO arrive at sound conclusions. In his public
speeches. he aimed at conviction rather than at rhe-
tOrcal effect He was clear and logical in statement
free from passion and with too much confidence
in truth to make use of inyective. He Glsked con-
troversy eand trusted to the strength of his prnci-
pies for their ultimate triumph. He was without
vanity, but with strong feeling of self-respect.
Doubtless his bographer admits he was ambitious,
even ambitious of the Presidency. But lie was con-
cious of the possession of great powers and desired
TO exercise them for the benefit of ais countrymen
He took few persons into his affections, but no sac
rifce was too great for those who gained them. He
was sometimes abused by professed friends; but
every act of his life might be exhibited to the world
| without shame.
Mr. Chase accepted the post of Secretary of the
Treasury with unfeigned reluctance. Not merely
that he shrunk from its arduous responsibilities but
because il involved an expensive method of life, and
prevented him from engaging in pursuits by which
| he might increase his very moderate estate. He
| was largely in debt, chiefly for his residence III
| Columbus. His property had deprecated in the
| prospect of a civil war. But he went out of the
| Treasury poorer than he had gone into it. With
| fastidious deicacy he refused to make his Office
| even the remote occasion Of personal emolument.
His views, in this respect, declared in letter,
dated June 2, 1863 to Mr.. Jay Cooke, who proposed
to pay him profit ON the sale of stock at an adj
! vance which he had purchased for investment.
". You informed two three weeks ago
had purchased 800 shares OF Philadelphia and
Erie Railroad stock for AT that time was expect-
and would have glad hold the stock for income
The SALE however, has not yet been effected and nave
therefore, not been able 10 make payment.
This morning have yours Of YESTERDAY notifying
gives profit of $4,000 the Transaction and you in
close me IA check for that amount.
plate purchasing with view TO resale, cannot
regard the profit as mine and therefore return the check
| for 1900. X is herewith inc0sed
~ am much obliged to you for your willingness to re-
gard the money paid for the STOCK as temporary loan
| from you me. But cannot accep. the favor.
"When Congress, at the last session. at TO cothe
with very large powers over currency and financial
| movements, l determined 10 avoid every act which
could give occasion to suspicion that would
the powers conferred on to affect markets unneces
sary. or at all with reference to the private advantage
OF ANYBODY To carry out this determination faithfully
decline to receive any advantage from purchases
or sales made with views TO profits expected from the
rise or fall of market prices
"For these reasons l lnust decline to receive the
check. For. in order TO be able TO render the most
efficient service to our country II is essential for to
be right well 10 seem right aud TO seem right
well as 10 be right"
The exposition of Mr. Chase's official career, which
occupies so large portion of the volume, throws a
clear light on many of the most significant develop
ments of the last twenty years and will be well
coined as a valuable aid to his inquiries by the stu
dent of our political history. Ii it does not cothe
the personality of Mr. Chase with the magnetic
charm which made the presence of Henry Clay
perpetual enchantment. or with the imposing
grandeur that was visible in the form aud eloquent
in the voice of Daniel Webster. it illustrates the ex
ample of a statesman of more than Roman virtue
incorrupt, undaunted in1exbe, true to his country
in the hour Of her sOrest need always equal 20 the
occasion which he called to meet, without seek
ing the opportunity of distinction and never losing
the exceences of private life amid the spendors of
official publicity.
MECHANICS LIENS on REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY
SAMUEL L. Phillips ovo. Pr. 72o. Little, Brown Go.
A comprehensive treatise is here furnished
upon the law of mechanics liens it exists in the
United States 1t is intended particularly for the
sutaton of those members Of the profession who do not
themselves possess extensive law libraries and have
not easy large public collections. The authors
convenient proximity to the Library of Congress at
Washington has enabled him TO examine with freedom
and method the statutes and reports OF the several
States, and to analyze compare, and condense what
ever has enacted decided in this country upon
the general subject He has not contented himself with
pursuing the not nfrequenty followed by writer's
of textbooks, that of reducing TO single line the sub
stance OF a decision covering several printed pages