Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-15

Later in the day happened to be with Mr..
| Cable at the Capitol and with him went to the
press gallery. As we were going in q reporter
was coming out, and upon Mr.. Cable making in
curry, Are there any Illinois appointments to-
day. he replied, Yes, man by the name OF
Eckels has been nominated for controller OF
the currency. Do you know him? This is
Mr.. Eckeis,' said Mr.. Cable, and then the in
curry was made Of me by some reporter, what
do you know about bankingT replied, Moth
| ing Were you ever in a bank?' he asked
No. replied, and out Of this remark as to my
| inexperience good deal Of the difficulty arose
when the Senate acted on my nomination. But
| 1t was just as well to have been honest with
these people, because as a matter OF fact up to
| that time had never read the national bank
act in its entirety.
NOT VALID OBJECTION.
"This, however," continued Mr.. Eckels, "was
possibly not q valid objection. l believe that
any man Of fair common sense, absolute
honesty and ordinary discretion can administer
almost any Office under this government II he
undertakes to do it conscientiously. A knowl-
edge Of men and character II q great deal more
valuable in public position, such az 10 mine,
than o technical knowledge Of finance. All
that is necessary to do in an Office is to ad-
minister the law and to appoint to place men
who are honest and competent. Thus far
have been fortunate in escaping mistakes in
TINS regard. POSSIBLY tuB IL Ouo 10 tue act
that my experience in law has given me an
acquaintance with the character of men that
otherwise l would not have had. 1t IL not q
difficult thing to tell when q man is honest or
not when you have talked with him. When
ever have any doubts on the subject consult
with some friends. and have great many in
different parts Of the country who are interested
in my success and whom can trust absolutely.
As q result I have refused to appoint good
many men who have been strongly Endorsed to
me and have appointed number who have had
very few Endorsements. The truth Of the mat
ter is that Endorsements lose very great effect
because they are SO easy to obtain. 1t seems to
be q very difficult matter for q man in public
life to refuse Endorsements. He hesitates about
doing SO, because in so many instances he be-
lieves tba. if he does refuse be may be injured
politically. Not long ago a Congressman came
to me and introduced a man who was an appli-
cant for appointment as bank examiner. He
recommended him to me for appointment and
put on file letter Of recommendation. The
applicant was strongly Endorsed by a Senator,
members Of Congress and others prominent in
public life. week or 80 afterward this Con-
gresham came to me and said: Il Endorsed So
and-So for appointment the other day.
did not have an opportunity to mention to you
a fact that perhaps you ought to know-that
he was defaulter to a bank. You see it would
have been . little embarrassing to me since he
was with me- Yes / replied. Il learned that
fact some days ago. 1t would have been a lit
tie embarrassing, but notice that you put q
letter on file in this Office strongly commencing
him for uprightness and responsibility.
Mr.. Eckels WAS asked il he had come into
conflict with any members of Congress in the
appointments he had made.
mo" he said, II have had no complaints
from members Of Congress. / received tele-
state committee Of q certain state not long ago
though asking me il L intended to inault the