Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-17
senate Passes CorteIyou.

senate Passes COrtelyOu.
The senate today confirmed the nomina-
tion of George B. Cortelyou to be secretary
Of commerce and labor under the act Great
ing the new department.
The nomination was referred TO the com
mittee after the senate went into execu-
tive session, and the committee was polled
on the floor. Senator Depew IN. " re-
ported the domination with a favorable
recommendation. He asked for immediate
action, and as there was no opposition Mr..
| Cortelyou was confirmed.
Mr. Cortelyou was born in New York
City on July 26 1852. He is descended from
a distinguished family, his ancestors being
among the leaders in the colonial and revo-
lutionary history of the state Of New York
From early childhood he was an earnest
student and his home training and associa-
tions we're OF the best. Af,er attending
public and private school he was graduated
from the Hampstead institute in 1879 and
three years later completed his prelimi-
nary education at the State Normal school
! in westheld, Mass. On leaving the Normal
school he entered the New England Con-
servatory OF Music to continue the musical
studies which he had begun early in life.
Subsequently he became a pupil Of DR..
Louis Mas, formerly conductor Of tie
| Boston Philharmonic society.
| 1t is not generally known, but is quite
true, that Mr.. Cortelyou Is an accomplished
musician, a thorough student Of the best
composers and a musical critic OF rare
ability.
| In order to equip himself for an active
1 business career Mr.. Cortelyou, while con-
| tinuing his musical studies, took up the
study Of stenography and was graduated
| from Walworth's institute in New York
While acting as an assistant in the Wal
worth school he took the clinical course In
the New York hospital. He became widely
known as an expert medical stenographer
and in association with James F. Munson
author of the Munson system of phonog-
raphy. reported many notable cases in the
courts OF New York.
His oficial career in the government may
/ be said to have begun in 1889, when he be-
came private secretary to the postofnct
inspector in charge at New York. After
serving the surveyor of the port Of New
York as confidential stenographer he came
to Washington in July, 1891, as private sec
retary to the fourth assistant postmaster
general. His record in the Postoffice de-
partment was such that in 1895 President
and confidential stenographer. He served
President Mckinley in the same capacity
until 1898, when on account Of the vastly
increased amount OF work at the White
House he was appointed assistant secretar!
TO the president. On the retirement o
John Addison Porter Mr.. Cortelyou wal
nominated as the secretary to the presi
dent.
While Mr.. Cortelyou's ability was appre
ciated before the assassination OF Presi
dent Mckinley the work performed by hin
during all the anxious days at Buffalo re
vealed an entirely unexpected phase OF hi
character. His relations with Presiden
Mckinley were those OF tender regard AM
affectionate friendship. yet notwithstand
ing his personal suffering his outward de
meanor was unrufied. He preserved hi
composure, looked after every detail, pro
vided every care for the stricken president
comforted the bereaved wife and kept tn
anxious people informed of the condition
OF the distinguished sufferer from hour L
hour, day and night In the presence OF
heart consuming sorrow he performed thi
wonderful work, only his smile was absent
Otherwise he was the same courteous, af
fable Cortelyou.
It was at the personal request OF Presi
dent Roosevelt that Mr.. Cortelyou contin
ued as assistant to the president. and 4
naming him as the first secretary Of tn
. new Department Of Commerce and Labo
and elevating him to a position in tn
cabinet the president has done gladly tina
/ which Mr.. Mckinley would probably hav
done had he been permitted to provide 70
the organization Of that department.
VIII Probe wichita Complaints.
The Interstate Commerce commission he
, fixed a hearing 10 be held in this city o
! March OF the cases brought by the cit
: OF wichita Kan, against the Santa F,
) Missouri Pacific and Rock Island.
The cases involve the long and shol
Z haul rates on grain and grain product
I from Wichita to Galveston and New ol
leans; coal transportation in carloads fro
: McAlester, /. T., Minden, Mo-, and Rui
4 | seIlville. Ark, to Wichita; rates on sug'
: from Rocky Ford and Sugar City, Cole
4 to wichita; on lumber in carload lots fro