Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-15

York, he began his active business career as
q newspaper reporter. In this capacity his
earliest work was in reporting the proceed
:nGs of the New York assembly. His jour
laHstic career was remarkably successful
and in a compare lively short time he became
the managing editor and one of the propri-
otors OF the Albany Argus. 1t was during
tnls PERIOD OF his career that he won the en-
curing friendship, confidence and esteem of
Samuel rilden, Daniel Manning Grover
Cleveland and other leaders in the ranks OF
the democracy.
Intimacy With the President.
His first official association with President
Cleveland was in 1883. Mr.. Cleveland was
then governor of New York and Mr.. Lamont
was his private secretary and also his mil
itary secretary Since then the two have
been inseparable in official life, and it speaks
volumes for the Presidents Judgment of
men that he has kept Mr.. Lamont constant
" at his side. When Mr.. Cleveland as
suned the duties of President in March,
1879 he installed Mr.. Lamont in the White
House as his private secretary, and when he
was again called to assume the duties of
hat exalted office in March, 1893, he gave
Sir. Lamont cabinet place as the head OF
the military establishment of the govern
nent
While he was performing the delicate du-
ties appertairing to the office of private sec
rotary to the President, Mr.. Lamont cement
SO IEG personal regard OF Mr.. W HItney, then
Secretary of the Navy, and a the close of
the democratic administration he accepted
Mr.. Nhtney's invitation to assist him. in
the management of the affairs of the Met
rOp0litan Traction Company of New York.
Mr.. Lamont became the secretary and treas
urer of that immense corporation and rem
dered valuable service as president and d.
rector Of several of the roads forming part
Of the system. His duties were both re-
sponsible and remunerative. and several
judiciQus investments made him a compare
lively rich man. Conscientious to a superIa-
tive degree he surrendered his lucrative
connection with these great corporations in
order to contribute his entire energies to the
success of the administration of his friend
and quondam patron. 1t was great finan-
cial sacrifice. but was made without the
slightest hesitation a single twnge Of
regret.
A Great Worker.
That Mr. Cleveland made no mistake in
his appointment is demonstrated by the
statement of those who know that the af-
fairs of the War Department were never in
such excellent condition or under better con.
troll han they are at the present time Mr.
Lamont may he a politician. but above and
beyond that he is a man of business. HIS
capacity for the consideration and dispatch
of business is marvellous, and has been
equaled by no cabinet officer of late years.
even including Mr.. Chandler. who gained
great reputation in that respect while Sec
rotary of the Navy. under President Arthur
Secretary Lamont is thoroughly methodi-
cal in his habits, and he never wastes a
minute of the day. IdleDess knows him
not, and he rests only to renew the 1abors Of
the morrow. Contenting himself with few
hours sleep. he arises about 6 o'clock and
devotes an hour or two to the perusal Of the
morning newspapers. He Is an omniverous
reader Of newspapers, and can digest their
contents quicker than the average exchange
editor who makes that his business. This
is of the methods employed by him in
kepping informed of re
and the spirit of the times. Nothing Of DO
litical significance escapes his eye, and
everything of value is stored away in the
chambers of his memory for use occasion
offers. He has a wonderful memory and
scarcely ever forsets what be has read or
heard.
He knows the individual work of nearly all
the newspaper correspondents and is able
to recall at will statements that have ap-
peared in their correspondence long after
the authors had supposed them forgotten
and buried in oblivion.
He usually takes his breakfast about 8
O'Clock, and always with his family, if pos
sible. He is thoroughly domestic in his
habits, and loves the society OF his wife and
children above all earthly pleasures. After
the morning meal he spends an hour
with his private secretary, Mr.. John Seager
in the consideration of his personal mall
which is always Of large proportions.
A great many who have business with the
President write to Secretary Lamont to
secure his good Offices. The Secretary is
very kind-hearted, and he does the best he
can for everybody who requests his assist
ance.
Disposing of the mail at his house. Sec
rotary Lamont goes to the War Department
He usually gets there by, $50 O'clock but
sometimes it is late as 10 o'clock Re-
gardless of the time of arrival. he has a
score of people waiting to see him. He is
extremely democratic in his ways and will
see anybody on legitimate business, no mat
ter how humble his station in life.
In the Department.
The hours from 10 to IL o'clock are de-
voted entirely to the general public, after
which the Secretary restricts himself until
o'clock to the necessary routine business
of the department. During this time his
door is generally closed to all save officials
of the department having business requir-
ing his personal consideration. Between 2
and O'Clock the Secretary is usually at
home. taking luncheon with his family Re
turning to the department at 3 o'clock he
invariably remains there until o'clock, and
frequently later, in. consultation with the
bureau officers on matters requiring more
than ordinary attention. He has made it a
rule never to delay public business. and the
officers Of the department are always sure