The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-07-14

He could not have been long associated
with the Vanderbilts had that cot oeen
the case.
In the estimate of the peculiar abilities
which makes it possible for man 70
gain pre-eminent successes as a l1ndncler
or capitalist, to create for himself one
OF the vast fortunes OF the DAY, II -
commonly held, at least in this city, that
the power Of taciturnity is one Of the
more important qualities. And 1t is Tor
this reason, doubtless that so many men
pre-eminent in the world of affairs have
deemed it worth while to be taclturn, not
only respecting important or vital mai
ters, but also with respect to every sub
ject Some of them cannot talk II Sus-
picion comes to them that what they say
viii appear in type. The other DAY the
committee appointed by the Chamber or
Commerce to represent that body at the
annual banquet Of the similar orSamza-
ton of London, returned from Ihat en-
ioyable excursion. They were met, as
their steamship came up the bay by
capable reporters. There was no reason
why they should not have spoken Tor
publication They had been brought into
touch with some of the more poWeTIuI
influences of Great Britain. They had
heard much over there of the anxiety
which the entrance of the United states
into the markets of the world ana our
threatening of the supremacy of Lon
don as a financial center had caused IN
England. Had Mr.. Hewitt, who was
member of the committee, but who was
should certainly have received from him
some reflections, not only interesting, but
Of the highest Importance. But When
these men, all OF whom are conspicuous
and successful in their vocations, We're
questioned it was discovered that, II
they had any views, they could not frame
them into words, and they delivered
themselves Of a few almost puerile COM
monplaces.
AN IMPORTANT ADDRESS.
But if tac,turnity is accepted as one OF
the essential qualifications for success,
it is about the only one upon which there
is general agreement. There have peen
within the past three weeks many cOun-
sells at universities and colleges to young
men just beginning their careers. Almost
all of them have consisted of the Gus
tomarY piatituCes, often very attract1Vely
or epigrammatically expressed as WAS
the case with the address of President
Stryker, at Hamilton college, an address
tnat Is attracting great deal or atten-
ton, more for it's style than its thought.
And yet, in all probability the most I'm
portant address was that delivered by
one of the most taciturn Of men, tacI-
turn not only from habit and business
necessity, but really singularly shy, al
most timid, always retiring, although
possessing one of the most coura geous
intellectS of this generation, John d.
Rockefeller. And it is between the lines
rather than in the words themselves Of
the address that this fine advice is to be
discovered. His analysis of Mr.. Carne-
gieS philanthropy, which is based upon
Scientific organization, and his warm ad-
miration of that system ana organization
are really the keynotes of Mr.. Rookie
feller's character and explain his sue
cesseS.
For it is in the qualities that are able
to construct perfect organization and to
utilize that organization in the develop
ment of wealth that are to be discovered
the influences that have brought men
who a few years ago had a few thou
sands to the ownership of rnanv millions.
The mistake is often made Of assembling
to certain superficial qualities successes
that have stimulated the admiration and
wonder of the world. Because Mr.. Nor
gan is brusque, impetuous, sometimes
overbe airing, as it is thought, some young
er men assume that mannerism or that
kind is essential to such success as Nor
gan has won, but in all these respects
Mr. Rockefeller and Mr.. Morgan differ
absolutely. Then, again, when Russell
gage IS pointed to as an example Of
be secured it is assumed, and Mr.. Sage
himself justifies the rule that great
wealth can only be secured through the
omy.
And yet there is probably in one sense
no more eXtravagant man than Andrew
Carnegie. One who knows something of
his daily life reports Mr.. Carnegie as ut
terlY Indifferent to certain methods or
habits which are deemed one of the true
tests Of business regularity and accu-
racy. If he pays a private bill he keeps
no stub in his check book recording the
transaction He says: What's the use?
| have the money; the bill is paid, and
that's the end Of it," If Mr. Sage were
told that a man was of this habit he
would say at once that he must neces-
sarily fail.
Some of the men who have recently
gained great riches are extravaganza, even
W&steful. but they excuse themselves by
saying that it gives them pleasure to
srend their money in that way That
was the explanation made by a certain
very wealthy man who has recently &C
qGlred his wealth, who now lives In this
city, when he was taxed with extrava-
gance for paying $l,200 q week for his
board and lodgings at one of the fash
ionable hotels here. he having no family
but wife and two cildren.
WHAT DOES SUCCEED?
All kinds of temperaments. almost all
xmas or mental equipment are Illustrated
by the men who have achieved the great
est successes of this generation. But q
tLtFeIuI analysis of the characters Of
these men, as we'll as of their achieve
menus, makes it clear that many of the
teachings, much of the advice given to the
young graduates, are far astray, There
are just two things, two influences which
When combined make possible the crea-
ton OF enormous wealth. One Of them is
opportunity. A very experienced bank
er or New York, a man who has
Oeen Intimate for nearly fifty years, both
personally and in a business way with
the men who have achieved great things
IN hnance, industry, railways or com
merce SAID this morning in discussing
TINS matter (the discussion being the
basis OIL this letter., that if he were to