Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-11-22
Mr.. Gowen and Mr.. KeIm.

and announces that he will not be can.
diaate for re election 10 the Reading
railroad presidency at the next cleo
t!on. lie would have resigned this
charge years ago, but for the financial
difncnltics in which his corporation was
involved through its purchase of the coal
field which its lines traverse. This
was the act Of Mr.. Gowen, intended to
secure the coal carriage to his company
for all time. 1t was wise policy, II
the execution of IL was within the
power of his company. 1t very nearly
proved too great burthen for 1t to
carry, and would certainly have done so
but for the energy, hopefulness and re-
sources of its president. Mr.. Gowen
felt that, as he had drawn the corpora
ton into its trouble, it was his duty to
conduct 1t out of 1t /; which he now con.
c,udes that he has done, the income Of
the road for the past year being sufficient
to pay dividend on its stock, the decla
ration of which he intimates that he will
favor at the next meeting of the stock
holders.
Mr.. Gowen retires, as he says, solely
for personal reasons and these are ,as he
has often declared them, a distaste for
the duties of a railroad president, or at
least q preference for those of the pro.
fessional life he abandoned TO assume
them. He is now in the prime of life
and with an unsurpassed reputation as
40 Aun la ha tt,in
mand all the business he can undertake,
and he will bring into play the talents
and resources of which he has demon.
strated himself to be possessed in the
highest degree, and which, therefore, it
will be a pleasure to him to cXer-
else as it is a pleasure to every man TO
exhibit himself in the discharge of func
tions for which he is particularly fitted.
Mr.. Gowen has all the elements that
constitute the great lawyer, in the acute
comprehension, clear and logical express
sion, persuasive elocution, indomitable
energy, ardor, hopefulness and self
respect which are prominently his
gifts. And he will be an honest lawyer
as be has been an honest man, and-that
rarest of rare things-au honest railroad
president. We need him to take the
place of Judge Black, as the intlexble
advocate of right /; rs such advocate he
has elements of character that will
make him even superior TO Black for his
name is the synonym of resistleSs force.
George de Bonneville Keim, into whose
hands he has designed delivering the
care of the Reading railroad corporation
ever since he formed the idea OF resi- gn
ing the charge, and whom he invited into
the service of the road from his large law
practice at Pottsville with that view
will be most fit successor of Mr.. Gowen
in the presidency of the Reading; as nc
one will doubt who knows him and has
witnessed the efficiency with which he
has discharged his duties as general
solicitor and vice president of the cor
poration, and as its president in the
many and prOtracted absences of Mr..
Gowen from his post, because of his
necessary presence in Europe in the
company's interest. Mr.. Keim has a
more thorough acquaintance with the
details Of the business OF the road than
Mr.. Gowen possessed, and is to be chief
ly credited with the smOothnes3 of the
running that is secured by attention tC
the adjustment and oiling of its parts.
He so managed its financial resources
that, In the days of its direst distress for
money, the money always came as the
mama came to the host in the wilder
ness.
Mr.. Keim is a man of great affability
and equanimity. There is nothing rust
ling or self-assertive in his style. Tt
realize his force of character you need tC
know we'll both him and his works. The
modesty that hides his merit spring!
from his amlability and in no degree
from his lack of self-conAdence ol
even self appreciation. Like Stonewall
Jackson, when deeds are to be dOnC
he Is there TO lead with all the fire AMI
ability the occasion calls for. Mr..
Gowen knows him thoroughly and un
derstands how much he Is indebted to
his assistance for the success which has
crowned his efforts to preserve
the Reading property. He knows
in how safe and competent hands
it will be when he surrenders it
to him. If he did not, he would not
nominate him as his successor; and Mr..
Keim would not accept the trust if he
did not know his ability to manage it.
The honesty of both these men is
founded on a rock. 1t is the popular
appreciation Of this in Mr.. Gowen's
character which has held him alOft in
h!s struggles and commanded for him
the sympathy and support which
the people have always extended to him.
1t sno less strongly an element In Mr..
Keim's character. In his conduct Of the
Reading his hand will be softer than
Mr.. Gowen's, but firm and straightfor-
ward. With excellent judgment, patient
labor and an intelligent appreciation of
all the details of the business, he may be
relied on to show himself wise and pru
dent president of the Reading.
Politically he is a Democrat, and sprung
from Democratic stock. He was born in
Reading the eldest son of his father, n
man OF wealth and eminence, member
or Congress, who died at All early noe