The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-10-29
eREATNEW WORKERS.
"reminiscences Of Levi P. Nor
ton, Depew and Choate.
~osron.s Lire IN sosron.
sv's skill In watching TIE Legisla-
ssre-Cheass's wiz sharper
Than Dspsv'a

Xe3h
I arss met Mr.. Morton. the successful
.eninee. about forty years ago. He had
a recently come to Boston from Han
.eer. Y. H., where he had been. 40 the
IN England people say. keeping store"
i Boston be became partner OF the
ross famous Wholesale dry goods hrm Of
al dsy--lhe firm of James NJ. Bssbs 4
4. This firm was remarkable for its dis
lament In the selection Of its employees.
renv OF whom beside Mr.. Morton became
..sneut. Mr.. G. n. Bliss, one Of the
.eonsnent candidates for the nomination
4 competition with Mr.. Morton, was .
aeyk with Mr. Morton q. the time |
sss.k OF In the house of Bsebe Il Co.
n. Bliss il one of the sblest merchants in
America. and Was = member Of the Re-
rahliean national COMMITTEES in 1872
bout this time, early In the SOS, Mr.
pwbs persuaded Mr.. Junius Morgan to
some from Hartford, where hs had been
sacerssfui in trade. TO join him in Boston.
ycs long after George Peabody. of London.
10 eminent American banker and philan-
aropist hearing Of Mr.. Morgan and dis
ernsng in him the qualities he was seek
hr In an associate. proposed TO Mr.. Morgan
d become partner in the London bank
~ firm. which then became Peabody,
Morgan 4 Co. This Mr. Junius Morgan
- the father of ]. Pierpont Morgan, OF
rss YORK the strongest man in the ceIe-
hated banking firm of Drexel, Morgan
tCo
Asthe time referred to--about forty years
mo-I came frequently in contact with
N. Morton. and at that period of his life
Irmember that he possessed the same
usils OF Understandable manners and
GOD Judgment. combined with industry
sdintegrity-which have marked his sub
equent life. His ambition prompting
hn to seek wider field and greater inde-
,sndence. he removed to New York and
eyanized the dry goods commission firm
n Norton, Grinnell & Co. They were
tang large business with all parts OF the
rnsfed States when the war broke out In
ISL His Southern debtors repudiated
MIR obligations. Mr.. Morton's firm
hiIed and Mr.. Morton went into Wall
meet where he soon established . sue
essful business, aud after few years was
! shis 10 pay In full the debts Of his old firm.
rom this time on he made rapid ad-
sGnces, and, associattng with himself other
xsn OF wealth and standing. he became
ne OF the most prominent bankers in the
posid His London house became the
| laancial agent of the United States.
| About 1870 be began to give some attention
y politics. was elected to congress from
few York city. aud in the campaign for
ssrhe.d and Arthur was so efficient that
kwas appointed minister to France. His
+ xore recent history il well known.
IL Is still the same modest.
esu.eous gentleman that he was
hFsy years ago. l have known
Nm we'll at all periods of his life, and saw
Nm frequently in Washington City during
~ term of Office as vice president He is
~ same Mr.. Morton l knew in the early
NJ. with the same genial smile. the same
nedial manner. But he would he amazed
HAs should read your words attributing
thim speech-making powers. for if there
heae thing he cannot and never could do
his to make a speech. l have often seen
hin respond 20 applause or recognition in
psblic meetings or At a dinner, but with
10 little embarrassment and difficulty,
nd in very few words. But good, sound
Ainking Is better than speaking, and this
hr Morton can do. / have no doubt he
vii b the next governor of New York
md perform the duties of tina, Office as he
has performed his duty in all the positions
h has before held. with success and with
rneraI appreciation.
Mr. Depew | have known well and met
Fssuenssy since about 1875. when he was
he Attorney of the Hudson River railroad,
spscially charged with watching the
navenents of the legislature OF the state
New York. However il may be in these
ssier days. at that time every rich cor
fass,ion in New York had To keep watch
III ere upon the legislature at Albany.
iass vas true not only of railroads. but
No OF life and fire insurance companies.
anks. savings banks. and in fact of every
hssi.uiion understood to have wealth and
asay manner exposed 10 injury by legis-
aton. Neglect of the movements of the
safe lsgisgature might have n fatal effect
spon any corporate body Mr.. Depew's
sssy was 10 see that no harm came TO the
n'sfes;s of Commodore Vanderbilt
aroagh any misunderstanding of Its
sssiss on the part of the lawmakers at
Albany Mr.. Depew came from Peekskill.
saeFt distance below Albany. on the
aaason river. aud Understood the temper
Sihs men he had 20 watch. That he Was
asnssssal IN this difficult fed, without
saassressing the limits of honorable con-
sags IL proof of his character and ability.
~ became more and moro es-
Eansi 10 the success and eih-
ssaey of the great property developed
Ne course of years out by the Hudson
ass railroad. aud. At last. when William
/ Vanderbilt died, he was made prssi-
~at OF one of the greatest railroad comhi-
asaens in the world. His success in this
ssFcnsiele position demonstrates his
ssd qualities - = business man and ex-
/ ssase otheer. During his whole career
- prpes has been . most remarkable
'Aaple Of the combination OF strong
| lsagmeat, skin ia the management Of
SO, and Ia the conduct of great affairs.
70 ansarylng good humor. unfailing
/ Faasassy Of manner, and an extraordinary
aasis Tor seeing and expressing the
! sss<ssaA and amusing element in the rsia-
1 - o. Business. or society. or politics. IL
s@s popularity which has made him
so TIE most popular men in the world,
sasy welcomed everywhere and by all
sAssss Of men. and honored and respected
/ q as solid qualities as much as he 10
1 .'ea ios The lighter traits of his eharse-
kaos that with those who have
1 % opportunity for an exact arprecia-
o. bis attainments and qualities NJ.
4 @Iss nay have the reputation Of heins
l .NAi and lacking IN strong qualities oi
sd Bot this Is an error. For breadth.
and accuracy Of Judgment
ssessney in executive talent. doubt
las saueFior anywhere.
NJ Saoa.e Joe Choate ~ bis fsmlsiArs
aanl have known In various rela-
~Ss ssaee about fSsa As young men