New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-08
THE RUSSIAN MINISTER OF FINANCE:
FRUSTRATED BY HIS LABoRs-H1s SKILL AS A

\
FINAyCIER.
ST. Petersburg April oO-The name OF VI. Dc
Vschnegradski Minister OF Finance has been on every
ones tongue. literally speaking for fortnight.
Alarming reports regarding his mental and physical
condition have been I'm circulation. and political
prophets had already appointed his successor But
from present indications the prophecies stand little
chance Of realization. Aided BY the treatment u
Professor SacbaTtn, who was summoned from Moscow
the Minister has recovered his strength to a great ex
tent and has gone TO the Cimea leave Of absence
to last until september. The Gar II seems had no
intention OF accepting vischnegradsk's resignation
having great confidence in his ability and fidelity.
lie honord him with fatteriny letter In conserving
b. his prolonged vacation and placed one OF his
villas In the Crimea at the Minister'S disposal In
this Imperial home far from the cares OF his Office.
Vschnegradsk will endcvor TO regain HIS lost vitality
Even In Russia, few men have had more remark.
able than the Minister OF Finance. lie
into the world "a the son OF poor priest, unknown
outside of the narrow confines OF HIS little village.
Friends OF the family assisted in paying the
penses OF the education OF the boy, who made a
speciality OF mathematics at the university. Like
many other men who have obtained prominent places
In the Government service, he began active HE a.
teacher In the military academy OF this city. He
aferwaM became-to mention in passing the outlines
OF his career-a professor In the famous Ncoai Acad
envy and subsequently rector Of the Institute Of Tech
nology. In the latter place he was brought into con-
tict with business and became director In nuIer-
Gus commercial an terpnses
But In 1881 the State enacted a law forbldding Gov
eminent officers TO accept such places. Ntsch-
negradsd. a teacher was Government officer and
was subject to the provisions Of the enactment In
duced by a fatterng Offer he resigned his place and
became a director Of the NickolM road between st.
Petersburg and Moscow. controlled by the weshicst
Al. 1..4 Tn AL
His success almost Immediate and he was soon
n rich man. When the finances OF Russia sank to such
a low level few years ago friends Of Nschnegradsh
recommended him to the Car as the only man who
could save Russia from bankruptcy His Majesty
made him the successor Of Bunge. and he has had little
reason to regret the appointment
Vischnegradski certainly accomplished marvellous
results lie devoted his whole time and attention TO
his department and worked day after day from
O'Clock in the morning until O'Clock at night. II
WAS this devotion to duty that brought about his recent
attack of nervous prOstration, for he gave up
his habits lie succeeded In raising the value Of the
rOnble in making loan after loan Mt low rates OF H.
crcst and In yelling The extent OF the famine that
It hardly injured the credit OF his country The great
nj, paid agents II Is said. IN every capital Of Europe
and The New World. hundreds OF men are ready TO
do his bidding. His influence Is enormous. A..
In his department h. Is supreme. as far as that Is
possible IN Russia. lie Is strict discipnarian ana
vill tolerate no Interference on the part OF ms SUP
orllnates The men fear him. lie has the Ieput;-
ton OF being cruel and heartle's ana OF caring Only
for his own ends Yet he Is looked upon as an eA-
cellen, and useful official. ,,,.,.,
4 story illustrative OF his character and disposition
has heen current for some time. \ Few yeas ago Il
is said his own brother lay dying In one OF the hos
ptal OF the capital. lie was n drunKrd ana ID,
cred his money ~ drunkaris usually do. but
,6 moor fellow was In want and the few friends uhy
had remained true 10 him appealed 70 inc lh,iu, ,.
and wealthy Minister for aid. But the appeals iou'u
M r.spon,r and the unfortunate man died WITHIN
few blocks OF MS oio , " y, ,,rave
People may praise the official work OF sucn ne. ~;
bt they cannot love respect him ana peopi' Wv wv
love Vischnesradski.