New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-18

AS a means OF earning livelihood banking is
superior TO many other callings both as re-
CARDS the shorter hours. thus affording more
leisure for recreation and for acquiring a
broader culture. and IN the rate OF compensa-
tion Although banking hours are far from
being as short the public imagine they are
generally speaking. shorter than IN many other
lines OF work. The bank empioye. however. who
attaches too much weight TO this fact VIII hardly
win a high place In banking.
Salaries paid young men in banks. considering
the moral and mental qualifications required
are no; high. but they such afford a fair
living and a reasonable surplus, with proper
economy. Besides. promotion is almost sure TO
follow a proper devotion to the banks interests
and not fnfreouently the messenger or clerk be-
comes in a few years the cashier or president.
There are many examples OF such promotions.
won strictly on merit. TO be found in the large
CITY banks, as well az IN those situated in the
country. The young and energetic banker whose
capacity has been demonstrated by results is
almost certain TO find his services In demand al
a fair salary. The large number OF banks. each
with its own officers, affords ample opportunity
so- promotion. and shis is won in the great ma
3orfty OF cases. by efficiency rather than by IN
sluence. II the young man who enters upon
banking career bends every effort toward fitting
himself for the duties of the place above him as
cpportunities for advancement viii not be lack
ang Generally those who get into one place
and remain there without making any progress
gre those who lack either ability or ambition.
The obstacles to advancement can be removed.
almost universally. by diligent application to the
work in hand. and by continuous study ard
preparation for what lies before.
There are not few large prizes to be Oh
=aincd in a banking career. Some Of the places
s,,s1r-a md
a salary as large as. perhaps larger than that
received by the President OF the United States
These places are held now. and have been In
she past by men. some Of whom have worked
rheir way up from obscurity and poverty Sim
Ilar opportunities are open TO young men to-day
who possess the courage and sef-reliance 10
move forward and take possession Of them. No
greater mistake could be made by any young
man than TO be deceived by the cry that the
great corporations have destroyed the chances
for getting on in the world. There never was a
greater field open for young men than is now
offered in banking and other business enter
prises Of this busy new century. The forces Of
industrial and commercial progress are moving
forward on their benefcent missions as never
before, and the banker is found ever at the
forefront.
Inustrious examples OF honorable station
reached by financiers and bankers, such as Nor
ris Girard Hamilton. Gallatin, McCulloch,
Gage and others. may be mentioned as showing
the possibilities OF banking profession. But
whether such high distinction shall be reached
or not, the lOngings Of a reasonable ambition
may be fulfilled by any young man Of resolute
purpose. IN almost every community the banker
IS the man looked UP 10 and respected for his
character and judgment lie may be a man Of
only moderate wealth, but he is esteemed
for his character and wisdom, rather than for
his material possessions. The amassing Of
wealth is an incident OF banking, not Its main
purpose, which IS 10 conserve credit-that IS. TO
make the best possible use of the capital and
credit Of men in building up the productive in
dustries OF the nation To do this IS labor
worthy Of any young mans ambition. So far as
our perceptions reach, there is no nobler en-
r1loynent than in ninistering TO the comfort and
welfare OF mankind. This is done by the banker
although the public may not know it-quite as
eTectually as by those whose direct aim in life
IS 20 be philanthropists. Bankers disclaim any
such title for themselves but in promoting
sound business they are comforting upon man
kind benefits Of a most substantial kind. The
true banker is first OF all a thorough business
man He knows, by intuition and experience,
what enterprises are sound and what are risky,
and fosters the former and frowns on the latter.
But outside the bank he is something more than
q money lender or a mere business man. He is
the good citizen. having large interest in
whatever tends to the upbuilding Of his town.
State and country. lie is thoroughly in touch
with his fellow men. shares IN their Joys and
their sorrows, contributes literally TO every
worthy benevolence. and by his counsel aids
those whose lack Of business judgment would
often lead them into unwise specuatiors
In the best sense Of the term the banker may
be characterized a. a successful man. He is the
trusted custodian Of tie money and credit Of his
community. and rarely betrays the trust reposed
IN him
The rewards Of banking are not TO be won by
the timid or the sothful, but for those who are
willing TO work FOR them and who possess the
necessary qualifications there is perhaps no
other calling that offers more in the way Of
honor and profit.
Neither in banking lor in any other calling in
which men engage can any sure prescription for
success be written Worthy achievement is the
result Of innate qualities. although there are
fixed principles from which no departure can lie
eountenanced The dazzling success Of men in
pIling up great fortunes by doubtful methods
sometimes blinds our perception Of truths Of
general application. The exploits Of fnanciers
which receive so much attention constitute but
small part Of the real and enduring services
which banks render to the every day business Of
the country. The mountain peaks loom large
upon the horizon. but the unassuming plains
and valleys I'll the granaries OF the world. IT
may be that the young man who chooses bank
ing as a career may never reach the topnost
rung Of the ladder, but If he takes pleasure in
his work he viii enjoy whatever progress may
be made. and feel satisfied that in the course OF
81 he has contributed to the happiness and pros
perity Of mankind In laying the foundation for
his banking career he viii build upon character