The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-16
Rise Of a Stenographer.

There is In name no such Office as
Assistant President OF the United
States, but in effect there is such a posi-
tion. and e is Allied by George Bruce
Cortelyou. whose official title is Secre-
tary to the President He was not
elected, but appointed by The Chief Ex-
ecutivc solely because OF the ability
which he demonstrated in less impor-
tant positions. No political influence
elevated Mr.. Cortelyou from the position
OF stenographer in the Postohice Depart
ment. few years ago. to the high post
he now occupies. Merit won for him
and was recognized under the operations
of the Civil Service.
Mr.. Cortelyou is a native of New
York and is not yet forty years OF age
He Is graduate OF Hempstead Institute
New York. OF the State Normal School
Westfeld. Mass, OF the law department
Of the Georgetown University. with the
degree OF LII. D., aud Of the law depart
ment OF the Columbian University with
school teacher in New York. chiefly in
college preparatory institutions. and
private secretary to several public OFF,
cials. prior 70 which ne was associated
with James f. Munson. as stenographer.
About ten or twelve years ago he was
appointed TO a cierkship in the Postoffce
Department. While serving in this ca
paeity he was promoted 10 Acting Fourth
Assistant Postmaster General He
studied law while holding his position
in the department. In 1895 a vacancy oc-
Cured in the executive staff and Presi-
dent Cleveland needed an expert steno-
grapher. Postmaster General BisseII and
his fourth assistant. Mr. Maxwell. rec
commended Mr.. Cortelyou because they
knew his worth. Mr. CorteIyou was ap-
pointed and three months later he be-
came executive clerk
The next promotion was 10 the posi-
tion OF assistant Secretary TO the Pres
ident. Mr. Mckinley having recognized
that ne possessed In Mr. Cortelyou a
man of marked ability. J. Addison Por-
ter, who held the position o. secretary
10 the dent. was never robust. and
the multitude OF duties which devOlved
upon him broke down his health Con
sequently the burden OF responsibility
fell upon Mr. Cortelyou, but he was able
20 meet it. a short time before his
death Mr.. Porter resigned. and then
Mr.. CortelyOu became in fact what he
had for e long time before been in ef-
feet. the Secretary 10 the President
Possesses Executive Ability.
He is a man Of wonderful executive
ability. and is one Of the hardest work
ers in the public service He is closer
10 the President. knows more OF his
plans and purposes and renders him
greater assistance even than any mem
Der OF the Cabinet. Not infreuuentIy
he labors twelve or fourteen hours a
day, and many times IL was after mid
night when ne left the late President
al the White House
Mr.. Cortelyou has rare tact and di-
plomacy. He is never disturbed. no
matter what difficulties confront him.
His position is a most trying one. yet
he is always IN the same calm and dis
passionate temper OF mind. He is az
fable. approachable. and always oblig-
ing. MIR. Roosevelt round upon assum-
ing the Presidency that he could not
dispense with the services OF his prede-
cessOr's secretary. Oncially Mr.. Cor
tlyOu ranks next 10 the members OF
the Cabinet. He is married and has
several children. Mrs Cortelyou was
Miss Kinds. the daughter Of Dr. Hinds.
president OF the Hampstead Institute.
from which Mr. Cortelyou graduated.