New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-12


ton between Irishman, American, an Engnshman'
or a Scotchman, IL their abilities were equal He was
sensitive to personal attacks and was much pained Oh
the author Of several newspaper articles as
sailing him five six years ago. These articles were
written by his countrymen to whom he had given
employment, and attacked very bitterly the strict
ness and severity OF discipline enforced in his retail
store and other matters connected with his business
When he found out the man he expelled him from the
store with the greatest Indignation Mr. stewart was
generally esteemed and liked by his employees He was
exceedingly kind to clerks who lost their health while IN
his service and has been known to pay men their saa
rics for months while they lying sick bed, and
to pay their doctors bills also. Through such acts OF
kindness he had endeared himself to his clerks and sales
men, with the exception Of few who found fauit Win
the strngency OF his discipline, incapable OF compre-
bending the necessity for strict rules in establishments
SO extensive.
MS BUSINESS METHODS.
On Of the things which seemed singular to every per-
son who for the first time any OF Mr. stewards Dusl
ness houses the fact that there no sign what
ever dispayed upon them lady friend once asked tne
merchant his reason for this peculiarly. He replied by
quoting the proverb " Good wine needs no BUSH" No
one ever seemed troubled to find "stewarts" however
and he was almost Of the first visit from outoftown
customers who had come to the city on shopping
excursions. His rigid integrity In his inter-
course with his customers was begun ut the
very outset OF his career when he occupied tho little
ascribed his to this nhexibe honesty in trade
Yet when asked II he believed in luck 1t - said that he
answered: Indeed do There are persons VINO are
unlucky sometimes open case OF goods and sell the
first piece from IL to person WHO Is unlucky ana
lose it to the end Frequently see persons to whom
would not sell II could avoid it." His mistake In life,
he thought that he had established his retail
store above Twentyhrd-s lie thought he should have
had better returns his stock. lie had constant
watchfulness all the details of his business,
and than one OF his employees found himself
watched when he least supposed It, He spoke to
me but twice." OF his old clerks relates Once
tore piece OF wrapping paper roughly and he
around to tell Inc should have folded and made
edges People, he said didn't like to get shit
lesslooking bundles' Again. wound bundle round
with OF string and before could cut 1t he
had the bundle out Of my hand and unwound the un-
necessary Never waste piece OF string,
he said; waste is always wrong"
II almost impossible to get at Mr. Stewart In bust
hours. He to be seen only at the downtown
store the visitors entering the hoorwaker near
the would inquire his business. III he said he wanted
TO see Mr. Stewart he asked what he wanted Of him,
and II 1t anything subordinate could do the visitor
was turned over to him. II he still insisted upon seeing
the merchant himself he allowed to far as the
foot the stairs where another Waterman was In wait
ing and unless he could he satisfied that 1t was worth
while disturbing Mr.. Stewart, the visitor was permitted
to 20 no farther
PERSONAL TRAITS.
The private lfe opinions and tastes OF who has
carried such enterprises Mr. Stewart all
are interested know. He OF Scotch Presby-
terrain family but during the latter part OF his life at
tended St. Marks Episcopal Church 1t was to be cer-
gyan of the Episcopal Church that bis father had cdu-
Gated him but OF tie last moment Mr. Stewart feeling
his want OF adaptabity for that profession, sweryed
from the his father had marked out and became
merchant Formerly he accustomed to dine at Del
monco opposite his Chambersst store but Tor several
years had always dned at home. His hours OF eating
were very regular aud his habits abstemou neyerthe-
less he was connosseur Of Wines and his cellar con-
tanned the Madelras sherres. ports etc After
dinner he found his entertainment In studying the
classics In his library, exhibiting to the fehds VINO
enjoyed his confidence his gallery which had cost
him over S75o,OO0. His wealth apparent In such
precious possessions these pictures and staiuary'
rsther than In any CANDY entertainments OF his mousse
or pretcniious furniture Ia his offices.
Mr. Stewart In the selection of his paintings, invara-
bly, those which united with large and prominent
ngurcsubjcct bright and striking coors At one time
and private friends me, nj his house 10 exam
Inc a new painting by Meissonier. which had Just ar
rived having been paiped By Mr. stewarts order some
time before In the course of the conversation Mr.
stewart remarked that IN his opinion the coors were too
light. In reply Of the gentlemen said that MelssO-
painted for the future that the colos would become
brighter By age In 30 100 years the picture would
be much more pleasing than II bright colors had been
confound It, don't expect To live 80 or 100 years. and
want to enjoy 1t now"
Mr. Stewards friends say that the amount OF his char
table gifts been very large and the full extent Of his
bounty viii never be known IN many of his benevo-
lent acts he avoided carefully anything like osten-
taton 1t il stated that he very generous to his
poor acquaintance In Ireland. aud hardly steamer
crossed the that did not convey money TO some
poor family he knew to be In distress.
photographer yesterday took three views OF the face
Of Mr. stewart OF the profile throeqnarters ana
one one-half face These be used to aid In the
preparation Of the portrait in OIL being painted by
Bcrtadt They are be used In the preparation OF
"a bust Mr. Stewart always showed reluctance to allow
his picture taken and only sat for his portrait
This was painted by the late Thomas L. Rossiter, and
was designed u collection representing the great mer-
chants of this city. IL never completed, and,
after the sale OF Mr.. ROssiters effects, when ~
brought $780, was secured by Mr. Stewards agent,
and Il IL said, was destroyed. Wilson Macdonald, the
sculptor, states that, unobserved by Mr Stewart he
them In clay This model which said to bo good
likeness LAID aside. In anticipation OF sitting, and
forgotten though it will probably be finished now Mr.
Stewart stated In explanation OF his antipathy 10
allowing his likeness lie taken that he had passed his
prime and did be banded down to posterity
as woinoui old man. Some OF his friends have thought
that prejudice against craven painted scmbance OF
himself imbbed his early education in the North OF
Ireland might have influenced his feeling.
THE CLOSED STORES
TIA iron sbuttora of Mr. Stewards Tenth-