The Saint Paul globe., 1897-06-06

fingers into the vaults of foreign ma
tions. The work of this office in the
past has been so great that many
famous men who have tried to cope
with it have staggered at the start,
struggled under the load and fallen
dead in the attempt. You know how
the pearls of sweat ran down Car
isles somber, sallow face, and how
the bankers Of Wall street and London
had to be called to help him bear up
under it. You remember how Secre-
tzry Folger, in Arthur's time, tried to
spread himself out under the treasury
lead, so that every bit of it might be
supported upon his back, and how il
crushed him. Then Daniel Manning
In the prime of his manhood, took up
the burden, and had his life squeezed
out by it. Then Secretary Window
attempted the task, only to drop dead
in the midst of his labors, and now,
when the duties of the situation are
even greater than before, and the load
if anything, heavier than ever, we have
man who appears to be carrying it
with ease. Why is it that business
which proves the death of many is SO
easily carried on by some? 1t lies in
the nature of the men, their abilities
and their experience.
FORTY YEARS A BANKER.
Secretary Gage, for instance, is
born banker. and his life has been
spent in handling money. Let me give
you his biography in nutshell.
Born in New York about sixty-one
years ago during the last days of
President Jackson. Beginning his life
as messenger in a bank when he
q was eighteen years old at So a month.
At twenty-five night watchman in
lumber yard of Chicago, hunting in
vain for another situation in a bank.
!. At twenty three a bookkeeper in the
Merchants Saving and Loan company
Of Chicago, at $500 a year. A few
months later paying teller in the same
institution at $1,000 a year. and at
twenty-six the cashier, with a salary
Of $4,000. A little later on we find
him cashier of the First National bank
Of Chicago, then its vice president and
general manager, and finally some
years since succeeding to its presidency
at a salary of $25, 900 a wear. He left
the presidency to be secretary of the
treasury. There is the story. For
forty years he has been a banker. For
thirty years he has been handling
more
!. than score, millions have been con-
<stantly under his eyes His work in
4he United States treasury is not new
% him. and as far as / can see it
seems to be easy. When I called upon
him today it was at the close Of his
business hours. He looked as fresh
as though he~bad just come from his
morning bath. His eyes Of that clear
pale blue found upon fine old china.
were free from worry and aItbouoh
their owner is past three-score, / saw
but little sign of crows feet at their
corners.
A CHAT WITH MIR. GAGE.
I said to Mr.. Gage that he did NOT
look like an oVerworked or overwor-
ried man. He replied that he did no,
feel SO, and my question as to whether
1T was a hard job to be secretary of
the treasury. naturally followed. TO
this the secretary replied:
Il know that this office is generally
CONSIDERED very difficult one. and
that 1T is said to have been the death
of former secretaries The treasury de-
partment is a great machine. 1t is well
built, and 1t is now in good running
order. The wheels seem to fit perfectlv
one into the other. The parts are good
and the machinery is we'll oiled. II has
been running for years, and it seems to
me to work very smoothly and we'll -
How about the safety valves Nh.
Secretary" said !. Are there enough
Of them to prevent loss or to avoid the
danger of wrecking the institution?"
Yes" replied Secretary Gage, the
treasury has its checks and safety
guards everywhere. These are well ar
ranged and effective. though to prac-