The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-05

after all the legal complications then eX-
istino and likely to arise. The commodore
Thought Depew could become just the
man that was wanted. The young law
yer hesitated. The offer was a hatterlng
one. but its acceptance meant more or
less complete giving up OF ms pohtlcal
aspirations. He told the commodore frank
" all about the situation The old rail-
road magnate listened Then he made
response that was "commodorish.'
'Damn politics." ne said. Il tell you
railroading is the only thing for young
man who wants to be somebody to go into,
and you'd better think twice before you
let this opportunity slip"
Depew thought it all over, more than
twice. no doubt and concluded to accept
the COMMODITIES offer. He is not sorry
to-day that he did
Aside from his services as counsel and
general adviser, and later chief executive
officer of the Vanderbilt organization, Mr.
Depew's high standing with the commo-
dore and with all his successors has been
in a great measure due to the fact that
he has never betrayed their trust In the
early days of Vanderbilt consolidation, as
in the later ones, Depew knew in advance
every move that was to be made. With
the knowledge in his possession he might
have specu.ated in Vanderbilt stocks in
such a way on several different occasions
as to win a larger fortune in very Few
days than he has amassed in a lifetime.
But he never made use of his inside infor-
nation for his own personal benefit. When
the consolidation of the New York and
Harlem with the New York Central Rail-
road took place he did not hold a dollar
of stock He was then approached, and
frequently has been since, by men well
Known in financial circles, who offered to
speculate in the market on whatever in
formation he could give them, agreeing to
take all the risk and to divide the profits.
By accepting any of these offers he might
have cleared a great doNi of money with
scarcely a chance of discovery. But he
accepted none of Them thus maintaining
his self-respect, though undoubtedly at the
expense of his pocketbook.
Depew and Public Office.
In 1866 President Johnson named Mr.. De
pew as minister to Japan. The Senate
confirmed the nomination before the nom
inee heard anything about 1t. For a brief
space he was inclined to accept and the
temptation must have been strong for
young man of only so. But reflection con-
WINGED him that to enter the diplomatic
service would be to go 'at cross roads"
with his career, and he resigned without
serving. Depew was an unsuccessful can
didate for the office of lieutenant governor
in 1872. In 1881 he was candidate for the
United States Senate. In 1885. when Evarts
was chosen senator, Depew was offered
the unanimous nomination, but declined
on the ground that he had promised TO
support Evarts, who thereupon went in
with flying colors. In 1888 ninety-nine votes
were cast for Depew for the presidential
nomination, but he withdrew, though some
of his friends thought ana still think he
might have won had he remained in the
race In 1892 when Blaine resigned the
state portfolio, President Harrison offered
it to Depew. who did not want it for a
short term, and had about made up his
| mind that he preferred a senatorshlp after
a while to anything else, anyway.
Thus in 1894. when a conference of Re
| publican leaders met al Whitelaw Reid =
house and assured him that a Republican
| Governor seemed certain to be elected that
| year and offered him the nomination, he
! declined, saying he didn't wish TO be Gov
ernor and urging strongly the nomination
of Mr. Morton. then abroad. who was duly
named and elected to the place.
Ambition to BE "a Senator.
In fact. a place in the Senate seems to
| have been Mr.. Depew's only ambition ever
| since 1881. as il was Platts after his res
ignation and failure to be reelected.
| MIR. Depew is now in his siXty-ffth year.
but his complexion is ~ ruddy. his hand
| clasp as firm, his voice as round and his
| eye as bright as most mems at co. ana he
| is as alertly interested in business politics
| and current affairs generally as he was
| twenty-five years ago, when filling the
comparatively unimportant position of
general counsel to the Vanderbilt lines. It
| is possible that the craftsmanship of the
system carries with il less detailed work
| than did the presidency of the Central. but
the general appearance Of his desk and the
air of concentrated business that pervades
| his office as of yore both point the other
way His various posts of responsibility
outside his railroad connections are suffi-
| ciently exacting 10 tax the strength of
| half dozen ordinary men.
1. D. Marshall