Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-08
From the New York World.
Personal Traits of Commodore
Vanderbilt.

the figure of Danl Drew, the Commodore most
ancient foe always beaten in the end and now bank
rupt in his extreme old age. A stronger contrast
il would be hard to find, and the two lives parallel
so long time one of builder and maker and the
other of a destroyer have often been pointed to
as containing lesson not to Wall street only There
is whimsical resemblance and difference between
the proverbs Of Vanderbilt and the proverbs Of
Drew.
"Never sell what you hayn't got, tue Commo
modore with his husky, sea-going voice, used to
say.
at AIM right to speculate. Don't you never
do it eff You hsint got margin" Is better Illus
tration Of Uncle Danl who has done nothing but
"spockerlate" since he fell into Wall street The
Com-nodore's first intentions on the market have
been always upright lie simply stood by his guns
like a merchant ship attacked by sea robbers But
his second thought always reprisal OF the Bit
terest and most unsparing kind. he had no mer-
cy in planning reprisal, though personal appeals
often turned him aside from particular punish
mcnts. and doubtless the hundreds on whom be
has taken vengance have felt entirely justified in
clubbing him the "bandll." Gradually. however
individuals learned to leave his stocks alone and
that was one thing he wanted. A great many big
waves have broken against the rock. Drew per-
petually splashed there. Fisk boosted the Mon
day after Black Friday that he was going to
break Vanderbilt that day (seven years ago.
Commodore NandeTbilts methods IN railway man
nj may be briefly told as far as they can be
told from events: FiIst, buy your railroad; then
stop the stealing that went on under the other
man: then wait. The wait meant suitng the
wants OF trade by every new device and any
of
were wanted; terminal facilities where they were
wanted and as they were wanted aud dividends and
competition be hanged Tie Commodore always
was uneasy competitor, watching his chance
at the seasons work, and not likely 10 stay long
in any combination oil freight rates if he could
see his wsy-as he could usually-to better things
beyond.
When hcput down freights-as he did usually,
when il was not expected of him-hls enemies re-
toried by saug htelng fares as well which was awk-
ward for the Commodore, who got larger proper
tionate return from his passengers than any OF his
rivals and then the reel unwindIng again aud there
has been rarely aquaier without Its bat lie. vi pas
sengers, oddly enough, his road is less appreca-
tive than the others, They travel in dust and
ashes in the trst-cass cars even, beyond the dsr-
ing of rival roads 10 aict. But they travel all
the same and there is always room for all
that want TO 20 anywhere-of such quality as may
happen The recent opening OF the rapld-transit
route to Harlem is good Illustration of the Van.
derbit procedure. Not bit oil flourish was made
about il. When the time came the extra trains
were just put on and run on time. Then they
are abominabe conveyances and yet overcrowded
which is TO say that they are economical, and
undoub tcdlv profitable. Should it ever be neces-
sary to make them clean and comfortable in order
to secure their success al exactly the point of ne
cesity that change is likely to be made and should
any of the other long taked-of rapid lines
ever so get into operation to make that step
prudent doubtless the 10 cent fare from Harlem
will be made to include the ride in the horse-cars
between Forty-secondtstrect and the City Hall.
But it is similarly probable that this last step will
not be taken gratutlously or with undue haste.
Mr.. Vanderbilt had always passion for horses
-trotting horses exclusively. lie has owned
some famous totters, PostbOy, Plougboy, Noun
taineer, Mountain Boy, Mountain Girl, Doctor
and Flying Du,chman among them. His present
stable, roomy and comfortable, is in Fourth
street, near Mercer lie was enthusi ,stcally fond
Of driving, and during his last sickness declined
to drive at all until he should be able to hold the
ribbons himself Until the last year he has been
daily visitor to Fleetwood in the season, and for
some years had driven out pretty much, surround
ed by a squadron OF friends Mes.rs. Petit, Turn
bull, Corey, Harker and Deforest, known on the
course as the Vanderbilt gang. AT the park he
had the box next 10 Mr.. Robert Bonners, an
ancient trotting enemy, between whom and the
Commodore an unsettled question lasted for years
as to the speed of their respective teams. During
| a trot the Commodore sat usually smoking and ST.
tent on the hotel piazza with the squadron about
him. When he had had his fill of sport he got up
with the stereotyped remark in his rather husky
low voice, "W ell, guess it's time to be getting
home. Then he marched, always alone, into the
bar-room and drank little nvarable gin and
sugar and descended to his horses and set out.
Before he had cleared the gate in late years the
squadron certain to be after him, and on the
drive home made it their particular business to
see that nobody tempted the Commodore to a race.
Old as he was, he always spelling for that
and If MIR. Bonner or anybody else had taken the
right of way from him. would have tried to get it
back at all risks, with a clear road The squad
dron, however, flanked him, and let no one pass
or if by accident any one got by, expecting to
stir up the old man little" one of the body
guard accepted the challenge in the old mans
stead, and left him to the peaceful and safe hand
ling Of his own horses
Com. Vanderbilt was in his eighiy-thiid year.
lie came of long lived family, and had always,
until quite recently enjoyed the best OF health look
ing at eighty save for his silver halr, but half that
age. He tall, OF magnificent phi sique, and car
ried himself like a very dignity of the church of
England, which bearng with his constant suit of
black aud white neckue, probably gave rise to
the often made statement the commodore looks
like an archbishop" Small gray side whiskers
fringed hi. hale and rosy face. His eyes were
dark, soft and kindly at times, with way OF
growing keen and stecly on emergencies. "When
the Commodore puts on his railroad look he means
something, his acquaintance used to say. In
disposition he was quiet, not disposed to be ag-
gresslve, but, when aroused, meIClIess. In the
sense of church attendance, he cannot be said to
have been religious man. lie had a profound
reverence for sacred things. clad his early sur
roundings and associations tended in the direc-
tion," said gentleman intimate ~ acquainted with
the Commodore, "he would have made clergy
man, and q successful one" He is said to have
been particularly fond of Bunyan's "Pilgrms
Progress" carrying it about with him wherever
he wont.
The Commodore was a most abstem lou simau
never taking wine lie was, however an invet-
crate smoker, and during his lasst illness, when
demonstrated with for continually sRok ing, said
when have to give up smoki ng you may give
me up"
Business never appeared to trouble Mr.. Wander
bit much in late years. His custom was to spend
two three hours daily at his office back of his
house and go home early when there was no trot.
lie used to devote good deal Of his evenings to
whist of which he is said to have been a superior
player. AT any rate he respected the game hear
ty, and was particularly careful observer of the
silence and concentration it demands. An anus
ing incident illustrating this devotion is furnished
by testimony he gave before Of the legislative
investigating committees which it was his for
tune toEencounter. He was asked what he had
done when some important news was told him.
~ didn't do ANYTHING" he said 81 was PLAYING