Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-05
Promotion of Iowa Men to
Places of Honor in Official
Affairs at Washington
CAREERS ARE STORY OF SUCCESS
Unusual Conditions Surround the E'e'
walton of Many Now Prominent Men
of This State, 1t Being in Many
Gases Great Surprise and Entirely
Unsolicited.
IL to Republican.

|
Washington, Jan. 5.-The story OF
the promotion of men of Iowa to places
of honor ana responsibility is rapidly
becoming one of the long chapters IN
official affairs at Washington. Nhlie
this is a source of special pride to the
Hawkeye state. it does not size up
with the satisfaction consequent upon
the splendid record made by each and
every one of the men thus called INTO
important, and in sense, new pubic
service. A further cause for congfatu-
lation is found in the unusual condi-
tons surrounding the elevation OF these
Iowans to their respective places OIL
trust. The official preferment coming
to Geo. z. Roberts when he was MADE
director of TIE mint, to Leslie NJ. SHAW
when he was named for the treasury
portfolio, to Robert B. Armstrong When
he was invited to accept the position OF
private secretary to Secretary Shaw.
and TO James S. Clarkson when he was
asked to take a ranking place in the
customs department at New York city
all these summons were absolutely
,,nexpected and came to the men thus
singled out as gratifying surprise.
In these days of super-strenuous strus-
giles for any sort of a government JOB,
the Iowa record IS truly reveiation
in the trend Of the office seeking the
man.
Right in line with the above facts
comes the new surprise whlch mas
caused a new era of wonderment, the
apnointment of Mr.. Armstrong-nen
toned above-to the arduous ana eA-
acting position of assistant secretary
of the treasury. When it was known
that Secretary Spaulding would retire
from that place, DOUBTLESS dozen men
long connected with treasury duties
hoped their day of promotion mad
dawned, and shuffied the cards or pos
sihlities with each other, little THINK
ing that the plum was to ran INTO 'tie
Ian Of a man unknown in the depart
ment eight months ago. 1t was Simply
anotheh. case where merit won over
other less important claims, ana
strange to say, the appointee Is peihs
made the recipient of CONGRATULATIONS
of a most complimentary CHARACTER
from men way up In commercial anu
financial circles. A less ieVel-heaoeo'
self reliant man might hesitate IN as
Stunning the position Robert Armstrong
has been invited to occupy, as II mas 10
do with the administration OF the GUS
+ toms affairs of the government ana IN
wolves problems that have staggered
old heads we'll furnished in the realms
Of duties and personal privileges 10 I'M
tanrle. But this seems to be u source
of ,nspiration TO Mr.. Armstrong; what
aver he has undertaken (and the neio
Of his endeavors as a young man nave
! baan wide) he has achieved success.
As student working his way unaideu'
as printer at the very bottom OF the
! ladder with more "pi." than pie at
| times; as a country journalist by the
| low ,f substitution; as q reporter FOR
| n metropolitan daily: as a manager OIL
an important news bureau IN the me
! tropolis of the nation and last as prl-
yate secretary to the secretary Oh .he
treasury, inaugurating during his lew
months OF service in that statloh 'e
forms and helps in the department.
| that have elected special commence
/ ton; in all these varied places VIII"
| their specific and comprehensive ue-
mands. he has wrought steadliy, Win
on. purpose in view-success. anu aii
| this has been accomplished ahsiue d
! brief decade of time ana MT. tAiii-
strong is now but % years or age tiie
Youngest man in the history OF the ser
/ vice to hold so important ana RESPONSE
HE a trust. He is an Iowa boy, born at
Polk City, near Des Moines, where ms
father and mother still reslae' t,ie
former an excellent physician ana the
latter one of the earliest graduates
from the Agricultural College at -Aiiies.
| 1t is greatly in Mr.. Armstrong; faVor