Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-09-25
WILLIAM G. RALSTON.
How He Lived-His Quail
ties as a Host and Good
FQIInW

lowing interesting sketch of the
late head of the Bank of Califor-
MIA:
Personally Ralston was no less
remarkable a man than his opera
tions would imply. Each morn
ing at the Bank he received hun
dreds of visitors-r1en who had
projects to promote, men who de-
sired to share in his ventures, men
who wanted his Endorsement of
their schemes, who came to him
for advice, to borrow money, con-
suit about the politics of Califor-
MIA, Oregon, or Nevada, in all of
which he took active part, max
ing and .nnmaking candidates,
Congressman, Governors and coun-
ty officials land to all he gave
quick, rapid attention, exhibiting
marvellous mastery of details; de-
termining with astonishing rapid
ity, and acting almost as soon as
he had determined.
His rejection of a project was al
most invariably fatal to it; his in
dorsement almost as invariably
seemed to insure its success, until
his mere commentator itself was
taken as certain augury of profit.
Among his most potent agencies
was the press. AS often as a paper
was started on the Pacific slope
the advertising card of the Bank
was inserted, and, of course, at the
highest rates, and kept standing
the yeBr through. He knew how
to reach the press of this coast, too;
and has welded it almost wholly
until very recently, when the ring
operating against him secured its
organs and forced the fight on him
vigorously.
But at the close of business hours
his business for the day was clos
ed. No matter what great opera
tions were depending in the bal
ance, on leaving the hank he gave
himself up wholly to the enter
tainment Of the guests with which
his palatial residence at Belmont
was ever filled. In that oft-de-
scribed palatial establishment, in
the maintenance OF which he is re-
ported to have spent $25, 900 per
month, there was no carrying of
the shop into the parlor. He was
a splendid host, entertaining like
prince in most princely fashion.
His table was furnished for forty
guests daily.
There were sixty elegantly fitted
up guest chambers in the palace of
Belmont. All the appointments
and surroundings were on scale
Of Oriental magnificence, and the
spacious grounds, lighted with
co]ored lanterns from hundreds
of gas jets, at night presented the
appearance of some fairy palace.
Thither he invited every notable
who visited California, and as well
as every one who came to him with
q letter of introduction or who had
the smallest claim upon his hospi-
tality. Everything about the
place at Belmont was princely,
and there in princely fashion Raj
stOn entertained all who came,
with the same quick tact in mat
tiers social that distinguished him
In his business operations. He was
a man OF princely tastes, and en-.
joyed to the full princely living
But there was neofbrutal coarse.
ness of Fisk about him. His res
idence was a piece of magnificent
display, but in all about it, though
in many things ford, there was
nothing actually vulgar. He was
a man of some culture, too, and
was always vain of the society o.
literary folk, and no correspondent
of a newspaper ever visited Cali.
fornia who was permitted to es.
cape Ralston's Inequalities even
if he would. In business sense
too, this entertaining was ar
important feature in Ralston''
operations. He took to his house
every capitalist who visited Cali
fornia; every prominent politician
whose influence might be worth
having; every newspaper mar
whose letters might affect pnbli'
opinion, and, with the innumera
Bile schemes which the bank had
on foot, this vast entertaining wa:
a vast lobbying continuously KEEP
up. The sad termination of his
career has arrested all cavil. To
night we peak of Ralston, not a
a cheat he never was so spoken o
but as man of wide sympathie
and open handed generosity. His
thousand unobstrusive charities
the untold times he has extended
helping hand to small tradesmer
and needy adventures, are re
membered now. With all hi
regal sumptuousness-and he en-
joyed it as never did born King
this king of California was a soft