New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-04-23


sent him letter expressing regret at his retirement
from the Office. He added ~ pay You no higher
compliment than to say you have filled one OF inc most
laborous trying and responsible positions in the oou
try, position requiring great patience INDUSTRY
pIomptness of decision, and nice discrimination and
thorough acquaintance the law in manner mghy
satisfactory TO the country and the secretary
Great strides have been taken teegraphic interests
since Mr. Orton assumed the Presidency OF the united
States Company in November, 1865. The business at
first was divided among large number OF small com
names About a year before this time, several minor
Eastern companies had been consolidated, with the
title OF the United Telegraph Company This cor
poratlon controlled the bulk of the Eastern
business, and thus became formidable rival OF the
Western Union Company, whose business was principally
In the West The latter company however, was anxious
70 extend its lines the East 1t absorbed most OF the
Western companies in its rapid growth but it's regular
lines ended in the East at Buffalo The struggle 10
secure possession Eastern lines long ana DIf
and the rivalry extended TO the far West wnere the
United States Company was building through INC noi
Mr. ortons accession 70 the Presidency of the United
States Company gave new impulse 20 the rivalry. ne
found his company losing money IaP98 Tue re
exceeding the receipts by at least $1,000 mOuIn re
gently at work 10 master its minutest details. WIN
practical he was soon Min tSe history of the
company It's needs and aims. RetteHchinent III All ue
organizaton In six months the company had been put
Ona paying basis, order had succeeded 10 comuSion'
rigid discipline TO lax government.
PRESIDENT OF THE WESTERN UNION.
Still the competition ruinous and III 1866 j. H.
Wade President Of the Western Union, made ovetures
to Mr. Orion for a consolidation Of the two companies
In April, 1866, the union was made and Mr. Ort0h III
consideration Of his services made Nice-Presl-
dent Of the Western Union Company. He
took charge Immediately Of ali claims for dam
ages, aud what then the embryo law depart
ment as well tho contracts with the railway coinpa-
MES In 1867, in the Autumn Mr.. Wade was forced
20 retire ON account of ill.heah, and Mr. Orion was
ali ia first eli
directed toward an entire reorganization of the
system OF the company, Only IN its territorial
and financial administration. but IN its electric and
scientific features He established in 1870 the office of
the condition Of the instruments, and fix ures OF
all kinds belonging TO the company By PRESIDENT
OrtOns order al wire purchased was tested ana an
ELECTRICAL standard Of measurement was eiTD,hg S
world The plain iron wire used at the time OF his cleo
ton was changed for galyanZed lines wlth soldered
by means OF which a could be sent from each
end of wire at the same time aud later IN 1874 tins
was improved into the quadtuPlex 30 mat TWO mes,
sages could then be cent simultaneously nom each end
OF the wire Much statistical information WAS lected
in every department In 1896 the Western Union owned
10000 miles of wire, had goo offices, and trans
time Of Mr. Ortons death over 100000 miles Of
wire and 5000 Offices are used and ,29,OOo'O1O
in for words any point III this country was el2
soon af,er taking Office Mr. orion effected the first
ductiOn OF rates. lie determined TO regulate
sS S aiT The upon WHO'S 0 con4y was DIVIDED into
sections containing twenty-five, fifty and 100 square
miles, aud the price OF the MESSAGE nom
ducton caused loss OF $4,000 the first month after ii
went into operation, and the contrary ara not re-
p"nSs lSr f f se R8n1' mr. oSa
o.ihs s opinions OF me directors, The money or
during ali he years that a Governmental postal tele
graph discussed in Congress Mr. orion perslstenly
was spent by nim before the committees Of the Senate
and the House at Washington.
GETTING CONTROL OF OTHER LINES.
Much Of the time Of the president Of the
Western Union was expended in efforts obtain
troll Of The lines Of rival companies. His policy
was based upon the principle thai cheaper to buy
than fight In 1878, the International Ocean Tcle
graph Company between Florida and Cuba
was absorbed. This line had been cstab-
lshcd by General W. +. Smith, and hal been
In operation six seven years. Negotiations
pending with English capitalists, about the year
mentioned for the sale Of The me. All the terms had
satisfied that they would enjoy the same franchise in
England that they held hele. These facts came TO Mr.
Orions knowledge with an assurance mat some OF the
al the same price. In this atter case.
involved except what naturally went with the capital
CLARK and schel, directors IN this city, the wires
and closed the bargain with the company at once.
cash payment Of nearly one and quarter millions OF
dollar, was involved. This raised by the sale
% sny iataer authority i than that named Il
excited much comment not only ~ tue street Dut among
diTeciors boWeyer The stock purchased mas now il
Is said earning value Of 10 -. ctnt over the price
Numerous circumstances involving the Same princi-
pies general tactics mentioned The Pacific and
Atlantic vas aasJrbed Ia 1874 Tue southern Atlantic IN
nent wa. the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Com.
pany Ihc wo lines fought long ana furiousy; Finally
a compromise was made on the basis OF pooled earn
ings. 1Ae western Union purchased only 50 much OF
the sroo OF the Atlantic aud Pactc as seemed necessary
20 the directors order the continuance Of The
arrangement. The negotiations were conducted mauly
by committees. and ar. ORION had not controlling
influence lie was not entirely pleased with TIE hua ar
raugeueuts, believing that more advantageous terms
could have been made for the Mcs.em Union
assumed that the value Of The Atlantic and Pa
inure the business OF the western Union Tie believed
that no quarter should have been given until las OppO
nents had lost enough 10 discourage any desire t. Try
DAILY HABITS AND HOME LIFE
To the world Mr.. orion known chiefly the
shroNJ, energetic, hard-headed man OF business. In
social and domestic lfo his sharp. incislye manner
Iaid aside, and no ovcrfowed with "reminiscences and
snecdote In his family relation, ho especially
happy. lie married while at Geneva, Miss Agnes j.
Gillespie WHO survives him. HIS family large,
numbering eight children, four boys and four girls,
ranging IN age from i've 10 twenty-five years.
About Ave years ago Mr.. OrtOn bought small country
seat al al and there his family
mas resided during the Summer lie came 20 the city
DAILY even in summer beginning his work at $3.50
naicbing MI immense amount o. business. Frequently
after being at his desk all day debating TO
itce meetings nc would carry home large budget Of
papers These after dinner he would read and mark
with memoranda This work. which he did out
side Of Office hours could be readily aistinghshed
knew him most Intimately that this feyerish energy led
g constant Overwork OF this Mr. orion seemed to be
fuy aware bat be continued 10 labor even In his umes
at recreation N he went 90 Europe for rest he spent
graphing there II seemed impossible for him % be idle.
When large affairs did not engross hm he attended TO