The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-05
Commodore Vanderbilt.

Commodore Vanderbilt.
After protracted struggle with disease.
In which he showed astonishing vitality
md endurance, this powerful and success
full man finally died yesterday morning.
His death lays low one of the ablest execu-
tive heads that have found their opportu-
nifty in modern enterprise. The railroad
and the telegraph have evoked n new order
OF genius; and the development Of corpo-
rate action consequent upon the utilization
OF these new machines of progress, has in
viteu inc enOrts VI the DvsJ tguuiAilig
minds. Among these CORNELIUS WANDER
DILr held high place. Starting in life
poor and uninffuentlal he grew to be
perhaps the richest man in America; and
certainly he was first among our railway
managers.
We elsewhere give in detail the facts OF
Mr. VANDERBILr's career. They show that
his advance from poverty to wealth was
not hap-hazard, but regular aud steady.
From the day when by clever strategy he
earned his periauger, until that when he
got control of the New York Central Rail-
road. he steadily and industriously pur-
sued the path to fortune. lie did
NV ioh6 SOhttht hiulstll Win tuC IlL-
tie two-nasted sail boat which ran be-
tween Staten Island and New York. I'm
1917. when the steamboat was still nov
city, Mr.. Vanderbilt secured tho COM
mand OF the wheezy little boat which
piled between New York and New Bruins
wick. From this time forward he made
the new motor subservient to his ambi-
ton. He had the foresight to perceive
that there was fortune in the develop
ment OF this new means OF power.
Throughout he showed the desire and the
will to make other peoples efforts, abor-
tive or successful, contribute to his profit.
He gave no quarter and asked none. BY
establishing an opposition steamship line
to California in 1S49 he profited directly,
aud frightened and harassed his compet-
ltors. Here he laid the foundation Of his
Immense acquisitions.
But VANDERDILr dies as a great railroad
magnate, having transferred his energies
from the sea TO the land. He went into
railroading Mt the nick of time in 1904,
when that business was in its most
nourshing period. Before that time, how
over, he had invested millions ir rail-
roads though his ostensble bus.ness was
on the sea. His legal fight with tho Now
York and New Haven Railroad, about the
SCHUYLER over-issue Of stock in 1854, by
which he sought to force q corporation into
responsibility for the acts OF its agent, is
familiar to everybody who has reached
middle life. Vanderbilt succeeded, and
he obtained from the company the full
value OF his large omount of stock. thus
getting, us he always insisted on getting,
handsome return for his Investment.
VANDERBILT's greatest business sagaci-
fy was shown in his dealings with the
Harlem, Hudson, and the New York Gen.
trail Railroads. Getting full power over the
nrst Of these roads, he proceeded to make
advances upon the others He saw that tho
Hudson River was connection vital to
the Central. and he so used the control
he gained over the former road as TO
bring the latter TO terms. When that astutc
politician and able manager, DEAN RIcH-
NoND, died, VANDERBILr, though then
D comparatively small stakeholder in tho
corporation was wisely put in his place rs
President Of tho New York Central Rail-
road. Then he formed the successful COM
bination between the Harlem, Hudson
River, and New York Central, and made
himself the foremost railway man OF
the country. He at once proceeded to
run these roads On strictly business prin-
rples lie stopped the gorgeous display
OF locomotives on which the engineers
wasted so much labor, and issued
decree that they should all be made black.
Vanderbilt didn't believe in show; and
under his management the stocks of his
consolidated roads came to stand among the
best Investments of the Stock Board, and he
showed a commendable pride in maintain
Ing their credit under the stress OF finan-
cial disaster.
Measuring HIM with ordinary people, we
put Mr.. Vanderbilt in II very high
place. lie was n great man, and more
than that, we call him a very useful man.
He worked for himself but in so dong he
served the public rs well as himself-as
every powerful individuality must always
do-by honestly and ably managing the
varied concerns out of whose profits he
gathered the great fortune which death
row compels him TO transfer to others.
His vast railroad property, it is well I'M
derstood, will not be divided
Though not man of education in the
collegiate sense, and liable sometimes to
play havoc with our common tongue
Commodore Vanderbilt was an exceed
ingly courteous man. He had a grace,
dignity, and ele.anoe Of bearing and
an easy commanG OF himself which wit
messed his quality rs n superior charnc-
ter. We shall long miss the gallant, self
willed. large-minded, and strong handed
Old Commodore.