Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-17

Few men in American public life,
today, are more widely or more favor
ably known than Secretary George
Bruce Cortelyou. For years he has
occupied a prominent place in the in
terest of the people and the exemplary
manner IN which he has met every
emergency that has arisen before him
and won for him the cordial esteem
not only of those with whom he has
been intimately associated, personally
and officially, but also of the body of
the American public to whom he is
known merely by reputation.
Mr. Cortelyou was born in New York
City, July 26, 1862. He is descended
from distinguished family. his am
cestors being among .the leaders in the
Colonial and Revolutionary history of
the state of New York.
After attending public and private
schools. he was graduated from the
Hampstead Institute in 1879 and three
years later completed his preliminary
education at the State Normal school
in Westfield. Mass. On leaving the
Normal school he entered the New
England Conservatory of Music to con-
begun earlier in life. Subsequently he
became pupil of DIR. Louis Mas, for
merly conductor of the Boston Philhar-'
monte Society. 1t is not generally
known, but it is quite true that Mr..
COrtelyou is an accomplished musician,
thorough student of the best eompos-
ers and q musical critic of rare ability.
His official career in the government
Il l.
when he became private secretary to
the postofiice inspector in charge in
New York. After serving the surveyor
of the port OF New York as confiden-
tiai stenographer, he came to Washing
ineton in July. 1891, as private secreta-
ry to the fourth assistant postmaster
general. His record in the postoffice
was such that in 1895 President Cleve-
land appointed him his executive clerk
and confidential stenographer. He
served President Mckinley in the same
ca pacity until 1898, when, on accoun,
of the vastly increased amount of work
at the White House. he was appointed
assistant secretary TO the President.
On the retirement of John Addison Por-
ter Jr. Cortelyou was named as sec
rotary to the President.
The wisdom of Mr.. McKinley's
choice has been demonstrat ted thor
oughly. While Mr.. Cortelyou's ability
was appreciated before the assassina-
ton of President Mckinley, the work
performed by him during all the anX-
ious days at Buffalo revealed an en-
tirely unexpected phase of his charac-
ter In the presence of a heart-con-
Stunning sorrow he performed this Won
derful work, only his smile was abb
sent. Otherwise he was the same
courteous, affable Cortelyou.
1t was at the personal request of
President Roosevelt that Mr.. Cortel-
you continue as secretary to the Pres
idcut and in naming him as the first
secretary of the new department of
commerce and labor and elevating him
to a position in the cabinet, the Presi
dent has done gladly that which Mr..
Mckinley probably would have done
had he been permitted to provide for
the organization of that department.
Both the President and Mr.. Cortel-
you have been inundated with congrat-
ulations from all sections and classes
of the country on the appointment and
the Senate stamped the nomination
with it's cordial approval by confirming
1t unanimously on the day it received
the nomination.