Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1880-05-12
RETIREMENT OF PRESIDENT
SCOTT.

Thomas A. Scott on the 1st inst,
iormally .' on the Poaurre,s uresighation 10
road Company, both as President and
Director, and il was accepted with SIN.
cere expressions Of regret, and a just
tribute to his great services rendered
to the corporation. His retirement
was dictated by his physicians and his
own appreciation of the necessity of
absolute rest from the exactiug cares
which, even under tho most favorable
circumstances, must throng upon the
executive head Of so vast combina.
ton of financial and business interests
and he was enabled TO do so with less
hesitation, because he leaves his com.
mand only when all its great battles
have been fairly won and its safety
and future prosperity fully assured, as
long as there shall be competent and
faithful management TO succeed him.
Colonel Scott has given nearly the
period OF q lifetime to the corporation
with which his has been so conspicu-
ously associated, and it is no injustice
to those who have been his superiors
and associates to say that ho has been
the chief architect Of the grandest rail.
road structure of the Continent. He
has had almost perpetual conflict in
the progress his keen perception. and
broad comprehension OF the industry
and commerce of the country have
long struggled for and finally achiev.
cd. He had to confront and wear
away by skilliul attrition, the deep.
seated preiudices of Pennsylvania
against her own development; and
when he had conquered the illiberal
policy OF his own State, it was only TO
grapple with great trunk lines already
going out from rival commercial cities
TO the West, and n literally subsidized
competitor in Canada How bis line
gradually emerged from contest after
contest until il reached the far North
western lakes, crossed the "Fathef Of
Waters" gathered the wealth of the
Southern gulf and the products of the
heart of the rcviving South to the Me-
tropolis Of Pennsylvania, thence TO
cross the ocean in the steamers Of his
company and how he tapped the
trade of New York and Baltimore tor
tribute TO his great network Of iron
highways, are triumphs which are IA
mlliar TO all. Called TO the Presidency
Of the Company when the errors of
unhealthy stimulated advancement
were surging back with their accumu-
lated embarrassments and pcrils, ho
had to meet tho sevcrest shock in the
history of the corporation. Proper
ties bad not only diminished far below
their intrinsic values, but the prospec-
tive advantages so confidently trusted
in the tide OF prosperity, and which 80
suddenly and disastrously ended, i'm.
posed measure Of skill and labor that
none but Scott could have boon equal
TO. The services he has rendered to
guide the master combination safely
through the financial breakers which
followed the revulsion Of 1873, and
which left its path strewn with count.
less individual and corporate wrecks,
the world will never know. BY con-
summate ability, ccaseless care and Of.
fort, and degree oil fidelity that is
single from the common standard of
men, he has healed the sores of the
Company, strengthened its sinuous
methods, restored its credit at home
and abroad on the most enduring ba.
sis, leaving the only monument Of mis-
fortune in the shattered health that
has been the price Of his achievement
for the Pennsylvania Ilailroad
Colonel Scott is of rugged mountain
growth, having been born under the
shadows Of the Blue Ridge in Frank.
lin county and his iron.knit physical
frame could well have withstood
double exactions far beyond the
6ity-six Winters which note bis years
Although afforded but limited oppor
tunities, hc was called to a responsible
position on the Columbia Railroad be
ioro he was Of age, and from thence he
entered the service of the Company
from whose highest chair no now re
tircs, as early as 1851. Starting IL
charge Of the Company's business ovel
J, the State portage road on the ALE
ghenies, he rapidly rose TO the man