The Newtown bee., 1898-02-18

Of the ordinary abscoDding cashier, the
man who las succeeded in playing a
double part, who has taught his class of
boys in the Sunday school on the Lord 8
day and has played faro bank on the six
secular days, who has been himself and
yet not himself, in showing the white
face while he concealed a black heart.
The case Of William j. Quinlan is not
such a case at.an. If you have examined
into the facts, your pity has been
arou sed for the man and not your con-
demnation. Graduated at an early age
from one of the public schools OF Brook
lyn, ever recognized there as an earnest
and a studious lad; later graduated from
the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, re-
ferred to while there by one of the pre-
fessors as the best scholar he ever had :;
going from the Polytechnic Institute at
once into the employ of the Chemical
Bank as q clerk, soon messenger Ell
trusted with funds, then rising rapidly
through the various steps of promotion
bookkeeper, paying teller and cashier for
20 years, his is indeed a remarkable ca.
reer. Mr. Quinlan had a genius for figures /;
in fact, he seemed appointed of Heav-
nv, kn s,,sF hoF 70 10
mistakes, and for that reason he was so
quickly advanced; he recognized sigma
lures at a glance; he remembered names
and faces of customers with an ability
that was truly wonderful.
MR. QUINLAN WAS NOT AN ORDINARY
CASHIER.
He was not man whose identity was
lost in the blgness of the institution he
served. Among the many eminent men
in New York holding like positions he
held a high place, if not the highest
place. The career of the Chemical Bank
is about as remarkable as that of its
cashier. The par value of share of it's
stock Is 800; but a single share has
sold for 1920. Its capital stock is
only $500, 900; its surplus was nearly
$7,000,O00. To MrLQuinlan, more than
to any other one man, the Chemical bank
owes its startling success. Mr. Quinlan
largely brought the bank up to the pin
nacle of monetary power where it stands
to-day. While the president of the bank
was luxuriating with his family in Eu.
rope, the cashier, Atlas-like, was carry
ing the burden of responsibility. He
worked early and late; he worked hard
er than the lowest clerk. He himself
never took vacation. He worked on
half-holidays, he worked on whole holi-
days, he worked many more hours than
the laws Of health allow.
And that was just the trouble. HUI
man strength can stand about so much,
and then, like the swapping Of chain, of
a sudden 1t gives way. Mr. Quinlan TO-
day 10 a worked-out man; he is not q
man who worked himself out of his place
through any criminality and wrong. He
is not criminal, he is not culprit; he
still remains a man of upright, moral char
acter worthy of your sincere respect,
When through overwork his judg-
ment was impaired and he did
not possess the powers Of clear
discernment that had been his strength a
few months ago, two sharpers got hola
OF him and through roseate representa-
tions induced him to loan nearly $4OO, 600
of the funds of the bank, which are back
ed up by securities scarcely worth, the
knowing ones say, the paper they are
written on. That ia not only the charit-
able way to look at it; that is the only
way TO look at it.
Now this Ia not case for scandal.
There are all too many who, hen a good
man falls, are ready to lift the finger Of
scorn and say, II told you sol" and IT.
the one who has fallen happens to be a
member Of church, these self-appointed
critics roll 1t as particularly sweet NOR
sci under their tongue. This case, how
ever, win not suit. their delight. Mr.