Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-22
CHAUNCEY NJ. DEPEW.
HOW HE LOOKS AFTER HIS VOL
LUMINOUS CORRESPONDENCE.

Varied Character of tho Letters He Re.
ceivcs-All Sorts of Requests from All
Sorts of PeopIe-Invitation Letters by
the Dozen.
A safe vawns in one corner OF the room.
From underneath the closed lid OF Mir. De
pew's desk peep row Of newspapers. Some
one has been in his room before him, and his
mail has been placed at hand for his lnspec.
ton And it is something Of mail, too. So
you would think if you had to open it. The
oldest thing about these letters is their varied
character. Halt or more refer to the bust
ness of the great corporation which Mr..
Depew manages The other half refer to his
still more widely known relations to the
social world.
Here is a letter that would have made the
presidents great predecessor, Commodore
Vanderbilt, turn black with rage. 1t only
provokes a smile on Mr. Depew's counte-
nance 1t is from college boy who has been
appointed by his Greek letter society to de-
fend certain proposition in public debate.
The question is: Resolved, that free trade
is more advantageous to the country than
protection" The unhappy writer IS expected
to uphold the Golden theory, and, realizing
the magnitude Of the task and the Importance
of the question, he seeks Mr. Depew's views
briefly on the subject.
A courteous reply is Immediately dictated,
thanking the youth for the honor of the re-
quest, and expressing regret that business
cares prevent his giving the matter that de.
liberation the importance of the subject de-
mands.
ALL SORTS OF WANTS.
Another and partially similar request comes
from young man in Ohio. who is called
upon to make speech at Sunday school
convention Would Mr.. Depew please send
| him a few suitable suggestions for the occa
sion? Or, if that would be too much trouble
a copy of his own speeches would be greatly
appreciated.
1.-THE third letter of that sort within three
| months" comments the president as be
crumples the paper in his hand and drops II
into the waste basket.
Astonishing how many people there are
who want money. And they always want
| large sums, too" he remarks, as he lays down
| an open letter in a woman'S handwriting. u
| have no doubt of this woman's need and her
sincerity. Read it,"
Hon. Chauncey NJ. Depew:
am forced to appeal to your generosity
though should much rather not do SO. Five
| years ago my husband died, leaving me with
| six children and my little home l wal
obliged to mortgage the property for $500
| Last summer was sick and could not pay
the interest. VIII you please advance me the
| money. The place will be foreclosed on the
| first of the month, and l don't know what We
| shall do. Please don't disregard the prayer
| Of widowed and despairing mother.
"You notice" observes the president, 'that
there is not one word in this about my loan
| ing the money. She evidently expects it al
gift
"Will you answer it?'
What good would that do, She would
only write again. very seldom answer
begging letters. Courtesy in such cases gen.
| orally makes matters worse"
| There are other letters of similar nature
asking for sums varying from $500 to S., 900
| They are read and buried without ceremony
| in the waste basket.