National Republican., 1882-12-19
HOW III WAS DONE.

hON IL WAS DONEs
Ex-sccretnry Bristoyy's Trouble with the
Express Companies and How He brought
Them TO Time.
Special to the Cincinnati Commercial.
Very few people know the inside history of
Bristow's fight with the express companies
when he was secretary of the treasury. The
express companies made what Mr.. Bristow
thought were exorbitant charges for carrying
currency to the great distributing point of
the New Yord subtreasury5 He told the COM
panies that a lower rate must be conceded or
he would take the business away from them
The companies were defiant. At that time
hundreds of thousands of dollars were being
shipped daily The express companies Of
fered the only secure way for the carrying of
these great sums, and SO they charged accord
ingly, being certain, as matters then stood,
that the secretary could not get along with
out them. Suddenly the express people were
notified that Mn. Bristow had made arrange
ments for
CARRYING THIS CURRENCY,
and that they could not have the business un-
less they came to his terms. For several
weeks the currency was transmitted to New
York in the most mysterious way, Only Mr..
Hrstow, his Conidant in the treasury, the
sub treasurer in New York. know the way
the work was DONE The express companies
held al0of upon the belief that Bristow would
not dare to continue to assume the personal
responsibility for the safety of the carrying
of these large sums. But as the work went
on undisturbed for several weeks without loss
or public scandal, the companies finally re-
Tented, and were glad to make new contracts
for what 'istow was able to pay them. This
is the way the express companies Wele circum-
vented. The secretary selected a trusty
special agent of the treasury who simply put
the currency in valise and went over to
New York as an ordinary passenger on the
night train.
THOMAS cAvANAUGH, THE DEPUTY
sergeant-at-arms under the gallant Colonel
Hooker in the house, was the special agent
selected for this work. He is a tall, BROAD
shouldered, deep-chested, manly looking speci-
men of humanity. His square, resolute, sun
Drowned face is accentuated by Grip, curling
moustache, completely hiding his mouth His
straight nose, clear blue eyes, and square jaws
stand out in a face remarkable for its combi-
nation of good nature and iron resolution.
Mr.. Cavanaugh used to set out from the office
of the secretary of the treasury after night
with valise simply stuffed with government
currency. One night he had in his bag
$150000 in greenbacks. Every dollar ever
entrusted to him was safely carried. Not u
penny was ever lost His pay from the treas
ury was his regular one, $5 per day and his
travelling expenses. He gave no bonds for
this work. rs the law recognized no such way
of carrying such funds. The secretary had
absolutely no protection beyond Cavanaugh's
individual honor. If he had
RUN AWAY WITH AN ODD MILLION
at any time he could not have been prose-
cuted for more than breach of trust In the
carrying of this money, Cayanaugh carried
more than his life in his hands. If it were
even suspected that he was carrying such
sums over in section of a New York sleeper,
as an ordinary passenger, he would certainly
have been attacked. If he had been robbed
nothing but his death in defending his trust
could have saved him from the scandal as
being cassed by many as q guilty partici-
pant in the robbery. Toward the last CAV
anaugh became very nervous. He used to
start out with his money in one hand and %
revolver in another hidden in the pocket of
his great coat. A close coupe took him down
the avenue. In the sleeping car, toward the
last, he slept but little. Some one was always
reaching across his gashed throat for tho
money placed in his trust. 1t was a great re-
lief when this dreadful responsibility came to
an end and he was able to go back to his
ordinary duties. To-day Cavanaugh is again
| carrying government money. He is the otfi-
cial who takes from the treasury the money
needed in the business Office of the sergeant
alarms office, where the members are paid.
Bank cashiers and men in high trust could
find much to learn in the rugged, unassuming
integrity of Thomas Cavanaugh.