The record-union., 1896-10-30
Severe Mallet-Prevost,
Secretary.
Assistant Secretary.

Assistant
Washington Cd. CO., Oct. 10, 1886.
Hon. Grove l.. Johnson, Sacramento,
Cal-My Dear Sir: 1 have just been
reading your article on the adjustment
of the financial relations between the
United States and the Pacific Railroads,
and both as an American citizen, and as
one greatly interested in the future of
California, 1 congratulate you.
The article seems to me both business
like and statesmanlike. The plan you
advocate is clearly best for the Govern
ment, for California, and for those in
terested in the railway; and I cannot
but think that with the sober second
thought there will come a strong feeling
among thinking men that you are right.
The great need of these times, it seems
to me, Is the need of independent,
thoughtful men, who believe in justice;
who believe that injustice is sure to
bring heavy burdens upon the people
who adopt it, and who have the courage
to commend this belief to their fellow
citizens. Your courage, as well as your
breadth of view and the fitness of your
plan to reconcile the interests of all
parties, seem to me worthy of all praise.
AS an old Onondaga County man take
pride in an effort like this of yours.
which rises so far above the most out
worn of demagogical tricks; the cheap,
easy and fashionable denunciation Of
anybody and everybody engaged in
great public enterprises.
In speaking of my interest in the fu-
ture of California I perhaps ought to
explain that this interest was aroused
by my visit to the Pacific Coast about
four years since. California was great
revelation to me. I had, of course
heard much of it's beauty and capabili
ties, but never until then had begun to
realize them. Were / a younger man
could hardly resist the temptation TO
cast in my lot in that part of our repub-
lie. AS it is, 1 hope to visit it again-at
least once more-in discharging my du-
ties at Stanford University.
In my opinion nothing stands in the
way of magnificent development Of the
great Commonwealth upon the Pacific
so much as want of confidence in their
methods of doing business. I do not
say that this want of confidence is justi-
fed, but I do say that everything that
shall increase the respect of the country
for their sound business methods. their
determination to do justice to all in
terests. and their abolition, as far as
possible of Jack Cadeism, will fnure
Immensely to the benefit Of all the won
derful and beautiful regions belonging
to our country upon the western coast.
With renewed thanks for the gratifi-
cation the reading of your letter has af-
forded me I remain. very respectfully
and truly yours
ANDREW D. WHITE.
commission appointed and now serving to
inuuire into the issue between England
and Venezuela. He is one Of the most
eminent historical scholars of the age.
He is one of the best known educators
of the world. He is Il publcist of inter
national fame. He was Professor of
History in the University of Michigan.
He was an attache Of the American Le-
cation to Russia In 1855 He Is the au-
thor, In the largest part of the splendid
system of school laws of New York. He
originated the system Of Normal Schools
in that State. He was first President of
Cornell University, Of which ne is, in
deed, the father. He was sent to Europa
to study the systems of foreign agricult
ural schools and collect and buy for Cor
nell library and laboratory. In 1871 h,
was United States Commissioner to Sante
Domingo to settle an involved dispute
lie was President of the Republican State
Convention of New York in 1871. In 1879 he
was made United States Minister to Ger
many. He gave 100000 from his fortune
to aid in equipping Cornell University,
leaving only enough money in his pocket
to live decently upon, after likewise en-
dowing the School of History and Science.
He gave that institution his great his
torical library of 80, 600 volumes and 10 900
valuable pamphlets and manuscripts that
had cost him a cool 500, 900 and a life
time of labor. In his honor the new school
was by its managers named "The Presi-
dent White School," He is one of the
foremost of American authors and es-
sayists, and is one of the few leading
Historians of the world and one of the
first Of the Students of Civilization