New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-30
MIR. GARRETTS CAREER.

Robert Garrett was the eldest son OF John W
Garrett He born in Baltimore April 9.
1871. His father president Of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company from 1857 until his
death at Deer Park September Is. 1854. His
mother. who killed by accident In November
OF the previous year. a daughter Of Thomas
Harrison, importer. Robert Garrett received
his education Princeton College in the class OF
1867 The members OF the family have always had
a warm regard for this institution. and have made
liberal gifts TO It's endowment funds.
On leaving college Robert Garrett entered the
banking house of Robert Garrett & Sons, founded
by his grandfather in 1899. After T. Harrison Gar
rett completed his college he also entered
the banking house. and John W. Garrett gave UP
the active management of the business to his sons.
his railroad interests requiring his entire atten-
ton Robert Garrett found in the extensive bust
transactions and correspondence of the bank
ing house opportunities for the study OF finance
large scale, for which he displayed aptitude and
capacity.
After about four years in the banking business
he became president OF the Valley Railroad Of Viz
gnia, succeeding General Robert (. Lee who had
resigned to accept the presidency Of Washington
and Lee University at Lexington, Va Robert Gar
rett was called to this his first railroad place at
the instance OF Johns Hopkins. who had made the
elder Garrett president of the Baltimore and Ohio
in 1851 He acceptably discharged the duties OF his
office until July l. 1875. when hts father. who had
given up the banking business 10 his second son.
determined that Robert should be educated 10 Sue
coed him in the Baltimore and Ohio
BALTIMORE AND OHIO WORK.
Accordingly Robert went into the service OF the
great trunk line ! IN 1879 was elected third vice
president OF the company. TWO years la Ter he was
made first ice-presdent. In the October number Of
The North American Review" OF 1879 M Garrett
published an able paper entitled THE Railway Prob
lem" In which he reviewed the causes OF and sug-
gested certain remedies for the ''ruinous and de-
Hr.o h. rftuk
line railroads Of the country. Some Of the meas
ures which he then suggested have been to great
extent embodied the regulations Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
After the death OF his father, Mr.. Garrett was
first made president pro tenn Of the Baltimore and
Ohio in November. 1854. and subsequently he was
elected president. He was then about the same age
az was his father when the latter became president
of the big corporation. Two notable achievements
marked Robert CARROTS presidency OF the Balti-
more and Ohio. These were the establishment OF
the Baltimore and Ohio telegraph system and the
extension OF the line TO Philadelphia. Despite a
resistance from its great rival. the Pennsylvania
Railroad such as was seldom before encountered
by any similar enterprise. AT cost OF over no.
900 90 the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad pushed It's
way TO Philadelphia. The construction OF this
road and IFS enormous cost the result OF Rob-
ert CARROTS failure TO purchase the Philadelphia.
Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, which Is now
owned and operated by its competitor. Under Mr..
CARROTS direction the Baltimore and Ohio secured
an entrance into New-York and acquired the Staten
Island Rapid Transit system.
HIS TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.
The Baltimore and Ohio telegraph system was
established by Mr.. Garrett. and was his pet
scheme 1t was sold out under the administration
of President Samuel Spe in like manner with
the EXPRESS and sleeping-car departments. which
were abandoned by the corporation by reason OF
the question being raised that their operation was
in violation Of the provision OF the companys orig
inal charter. Mr. Garrett bitterly opposed the sale
ness and mental trouble had attacked him short
time before this sale was contaminated ,..
During the period In which Mr.. Garrett actively
participated In business affairs ne filled numerous
Of trust na Of he Bo A oP taees
Of Johns Hopkins University president and director
q the Baltimore p0GS TomPaTy drsS'od arec tas
in the National Mechanics Bank and director IN the
NE was ar incorpofator OF the American Union
Telegraph Company which was sold 10 me western
and law Could became the controlling power in the
telegraph business OF the country.
THE IVES AND sTAYNER AFFAIR
The pos,tion taken by Mr. Garrett in the famous
Brice and sully and Ives. and stayner deals, IN
March 1857, TO obtain possession OF Inc baltimore
and Ohio was an interesting feature OF his career
Tho Sury affair contemplated great railroad COM
b,nation including the Baltimore and Ohio the
Jersey Central and the old Richmond and Danville
systems Suiiy was then presided, o. inc henlOhd d
~, behind Brice and Sully Brice and Sully had a
number OF conferences with Mr.. Garrett. me en-
ternrse Is said 10 have failed on account OF the
saa tnnsv OF certain members Of the Richmond Ter
yminsI COMPANY toward Sally and Brice; -
MIA Ia -. md stayner deal followed after
The men got up a syndicate and look an option
from Mr. Garrett buy 5000 shares o. Bsitin T
anton was 10 expire on April but It was extended
pd ,he matter hung Are for several months, put
anu an ensiv declared of by Mr.. Garrett because
ives and sayner could not get enough NOM .9
MAJ Vr Garrett TO recover the money paid on
account and for breach Of contract, .,,er this and
NJ Garrett went to Europe soon al.ef ms az
,rade every effort 70 tide the Baitiuore anu e,n
over its impending financial troubles re s's