Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1891-09-12
CHAUNCEY NJ. DEPEW.
HOW HE LOOKS AFTER HIS VOL
LUMINOUS CORRESPONDENCE.

Varied Character oi the Letters He RE-
ceives-An sorts of Request. from All
Sorts Of REPRESENTATION Letters by
the Dozen.
A safe yawns In one corner OF tho room
From underneath the closed lid Of Mr.. De-
pews desk peep IA row of newspapers. Some
one has been in his room before him, and his
mail has been placed at hand for his inspec-
tion. And 1t Is something Of mail too So
you would think il YOU had b. open il. The
oldest thing about these letters is their varied
character. Hall or more refer to the busi-
ness OF the great corporation which MIR.
Depew manages The other half refer to his
still more widely known relations TO the
social world.
Hcrc Is letter that would have made the
presidents great predecessor, Commodore
Vanderbilt, turn black with rage II only
proyokes smile on Mr. Depews counte-
nance. IL is from "a college boy who has been
appointed 10y his Greek letter society to de-
fend a certaiA 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 Cobden theory, and, realizing
tho 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, aud expressing regret that business
cares prevent his giving the matter that de
liberation the Importance of the subject de-
mands.
ALL SORTS OF WANTS
4 Another and partially similar request comes
I fruTn "A Ia. nh. -.
upon to make a speech at IA Sunday school
convention. Would Mr., Depew please send
him few suitable suggestions for the occa.
sioni Or, II that would be too much trouble,
copy OF his own speeches would be greatly
appreciated.
The third letter of that sort within three
months" continents the president as he
crumples the paper IN his hand and drops 1t
into the waste basket
astonishing how many people there ara
who want money Aud they always want
large sums, too he remarks, as he laws down
an open letter in a womans handwriting, II
have no doubt Of this woman's nes-d and her
sincerity. Read it,"
Hon. Chauncey n. Depew:
am forced 10 appeal TO your generosity,
though should much rather not do So Five
,eaIs ago my husband died, leaving me with
.
obliged TO NOR gage the property for e. 800
Last summer ] was sick and could not nav
the interest. Win you please advance me tho
money. The place will bc foreclosed on tho
first Of the month, and don't know what we
shall do. Please don't disregard the prayer
OF a widowed aud despairing mother.
Nou notice. observes the president, "that
there Is not one word in this about my loan.
! ing the money. She evidently expects it a.
gift
'Will you answer itf
. "What good would that dot She would
! only write again. | very seldom answer
/ begging letters. Courtesy in such cases gen
: orally makes matters worse
: There are other letters Of "A similar nature
asking for sums varying from 500 10 $3.50
= They are read and buried without ceremony
:, In the waste basket.
LETTERS oF INVITATION.
Now we come to a different kind Of letters
These ask fayors, but not pecuniary ones, un
;, less busy mans time is sregaried literally il
{ That light. They are invitations to dinner
: where speech Is expectei in addition to hi
company. There are an even half dozen o
: these three Of them for the came evening
! They are pleasantly answered and politely
/, declined, with regret.
! thriving southern city They are about tc
! open with impressive ceremonies new
: chamber Of commerce. and want Mr. Depew
: to deliver the oration of the day. He 1,
: urged In fervent terms not to disregard this
invitation.
: 'Of course, cannot CO. he observed at
is out of the question. Ii / accepted all the
. invitations received would hive 20 be in
7 half a dozen different towns ON the same
, night frequently"
The stenogTapher takes down witty reply
regretting that other duties prevent his ac-
ceptance.
. Now, next week, !" he continues II shall
receive half dozen letters from gentlemen
in that town whom | know. They will urge
me 10 come, and will tell ma that the occa-
sion is Of such Importance that the ordinary
reasons which prompted my refusal do not
3 apply to it in the least. This sort Of a ne-
fusal has TO be repeated two or three times
on the average
Letters from clergymen asking for passes,
! from friends asking for places, from parents
; begging the reinstatement of dismissed sons,
; from political managers making suggestions
! for speeches. and from captiOus critics offer
! ing structures regarding sPceches that have
already been made, comprise part only OF
the remaining letters.
Rather a hard task % wade through them
all! II would be under any circumstances,
but il Is rendered donbly difficult 20 Pnesi-
dent Depew. There Is hardly letter in the
bundle which is not read while some visitor
Is talking to him. HIS vocal replies are con-
! stantiy mingled with his written ones, and
the stenographsr is often half IN despair as
10 whether "A sentence i intended for the cor
! respondent in san Francisco or the railroad
; magnate from Chicago who is seated by the
: presidents side. = Benjamin Northrop in New
: York Mail and Express