New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-28
AN AMERICAN FINANCIER.
EX-SECRETARY MCULLOCH AND HIS
SERVICES TO THE COUNTRY.
LIVING At EIGHTY-sIx IN WASHINGTON. HALE
AND HEARTY-sOME INCIDENTS IN
BUSY AND USEFUL LIFE.


banker, visiting Washington while walking with
his host, a member of the House. came face to
face. in front OF classic Wormley's. with two men
of such gigantic proportions and such close resem-
blance each other that his curiosity was nvoiun-
tarily aroused
who ore they?' he asked his companion.
.'Es- Secretary AfcCuloch and Justice Harlan.
responded the member Of Congress. as he greeted
the gentlemen.
People who live at the capital become 50 accus-
toned TO the presence OF distinguished persons mat
the interest and curiosity OF visiting hero-wor-
shippers surprise them The New-Englander IN
sisted on turning back for another view of these
noted men. whose resemblance to each other had so
startled him. He wished especially TO see MI
McCulloch, who" he SAID. 'is the safest souhdes''
shrewdcst most successful fnancier or our times
subsequently he had the pleasure OF meeting inc
famous ex-Secretary. who very soon after"aru
was appointed Secretary Of the Treasury IN MI
Arthur's Cabinet.
Mr. McCulloch is stlll living in Washington the
unlque survivor Of the thirteen men VINO al ui-
ferent times in Mr.. Lincoins 'ao'"e''
and except Secretary Window. the only man
In our history who has twice heid the p'''
ton Of Secretary Of the Treasury inc "'oS'
absorbing laborious and exactng office IN the
Cabinet Its duties try mems nerves ma S""'''
their health Within the last ten years three men
ave broken down and died in the harness MI,
McCuiioch took possession OF the office In the most
as Controller of the Currency. He worked mceS-
sanity without rest or recreaton-beng absent
from his desk only twenty days durihG "' mn
four years-over the problems when presenter '''
selves. Part of the time his position was pa' '."
larry hard inasmuch as his sympathy Tor MI
Johnson made Congress antaGonistic to MN -"
perfect were his physical health and his meh'a'
polse that he went out OF Office seemingly """'
fected by the strain he had undergone.
Mr. McCuloch was born. a. have so many me"
who have made their marks IN the West. IN M"'"e'
in that quaint old town ~ kennebunk. me very
name Of which has a Yankee flavor. liz entef''
Rovdoin College. the alma mater OF longicho"'
Hawthorne. Fe~scnden and Franklin PIERCE p"'
was prevented by Illness from taking ms "'S'''
lie was twenty-five years old before ne f'"''
West TO make his fortune. and that was SlN's-'"
years ago only recently Mr. Mccuiloch celeDta'''
hts eigh,v-sIxth hirthdav Time has touched MIN
with gentle fingers and considering his extreme
age ne is remarkably we'll both In mind ana p''S'
In n great armchair. drawn up before me "i''''"
or his spacious drawlng-room. when io'h7 ""' va
Mcpherson square. the venerable statesman Sf'"'
his mornings The little park Is agreeable TO 700"
out upon and the passersby MAKE an "''' ~
panorama. The hours go swiftly. Tor some menu
OF his family reads him. or a friend coih'' l''
, chat on sunny days he drives In the afternoon
and the evening finds him surrounded oy his fanny
and friends genial. cordial and hospitan-r - %
Old The stirring times in which he PLAYED so
peace and calm Of his present existence ~ ea,F
in spring as the weather permits Mr. and Mrs Nc
Cullocn go to their country home The Farm VIZ
McCulloch delights TO call it-n MONTGOMERY
County.
II beautiful place about csh, mics from
town with streams and woods the natural beauty o'
which has been retained AZ FAR az possible TINS ne
on the farm Is especially congcrlal 70 Nj. Nc
Culloch although. after the fashion - gentlemen
farmers 81 has not proved lucrative The income
elualled the output. Ho"cscf no consider me
d.nc, we'll Invested In the healih and strength
~ himself AMI bis family J. MAS here ina, Mr
Arthur drove one beautiful October afternoon
through the brilliant woods 90 oner MI Nc'ui''h
the Treasury portfolio Nj ana Mrs Mc'nN'cn
were seated before a cracking nfe IN ~" drawing
room their children ana gfanichllIren "o"Hi tn'h
sam. ~ the younger ones were singing. when tn"
President sas announced. Three generations or
happy people made family picture never 10 DE
forgotten" Nj Arthur said aficrwnrd
The circumstances Of NJ McCuliochs appoint
ment 10 Lincoln's Cablne, best told 80 Ms own
words
a day or Two AFTER his second Inauguration. Mr
Lincoln requested me. hy one OF his messengers 20
call upon him a. the White House AZ some time
during the DAY. which l di in the afternoon. lie
was alone AMI. az he took my hand Do" san.
have sent for you Mr.. McCulloch TO LEI You kno"
that | want you TO be my Secretary 81 IN" lT''s-
ury and ~ Won do not object 10 H. shaH sem
bv this sudden and unexpected announcement II
Wa an office that I had not aspirci 60. and
did not desire | knew how ariuous AMI dihicut
the duties Of tho head - that department. Were
and a place had been offered me IN '"-io'N
which II would be greatly FOR my interest I'D nc
cept | hesltatei for moment. and then r'iIiei'
4 thank YOU Mr.. President heartily for this marx
~ your confidence and | snail Dee glad 10 comply
with your wishes n did not dstrust my ablhiy 10
do what will be- required - the Secretary 81 the
Treasury In the existing financial condition 81 inc
Government I will Dee responsible for that s''d
the President: 4 will be responsible for that ana
70 I reckon We will consider the matter settled
The next day. sir. McCulIoch Wa "na""'o"'''
confirmed by the Senate.
1t f. noteworthy fact that every Once "h'ch VII
McCulloch held. from the position OF 'oh'io''' VI
the Currency. 10 which he was appointed 10y Se'i'
tary Chase In 1863. 10 the position he hcld III ''
Arihur's Cabinet to him unaskei. unsoughI
He was IN sense politician The lntrl'A'''
and in,rigues Of political fc held no charm Tor MN
HIS character incllnaiions his traditions ana IN
vironment lei him In quite a different Ii,'g ,',n
have entered public life not that he was nnpatr-
otto His public utterances and his Whole me , ~,
prove any such idea lie was 80 patron, ~ tnr;
that against his wishes he left MS nome ~ rose
Wayne where he was so thoroughly estaDiisn"' rn
the community ana the hearts OF the Pe ,, rho
organize the new National currency Bureau ~
maintained It's credit, ana came through w ,pnaI
cky times with flying colors: gained nm Ning
reputation. ana MT chase = WISDOM III 'Hp'''''b
him for the new and important position was fhVor-
ably commented upon, His success In this once Won
him 4 promotion TO the Cabinet, where his wohhrr-
ful ability had full scope Mr.. Mcculloch WAS me
only new member OF Mr. Lincolns Cabinet. ana t1ok
the place OF William Pitt Fessenden. who resigned 10
take his seat In the Senate. In this position NJ
McCulloch followed the advice he had hlnSeiI
givea Mr. Fessenden. after he had made "A frniticSs
effort induce the banks to adopt Unity OF act1h
administer the Department In your own way, ne
said. letting consequences take care OF themseNeS
outside advice will embarrass instead OF helplhs
you" 1900,
After Mr. IJncon's death Mr McCulloch found
his path steep and craggy' hut the same steau-
fast purpose, the same Indifference 10 every ,,ne
sibe. and those people whose bitterness 10
him because OF his sympathy with Johnson ollhueu
their Judgment were finally forced to admire his
conduct OF financial affairs. Mr.. McCulIocn
report OF 1867 from no less person lhah Nj
Gladst0ne the following tribute In The HOUSE on