The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-18
Memorier Of
Men dno Women
EDWARD G. ELMoRE.
BY HENRY d. cAPERs.
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The Treasurer of the Confederate States
was in every sense of the term repre-
sentative business man and gentleman.
How readily l can recall his handsome
face, In which there was the expression
OF resolution, the calm, quiet repose OF
perfect self-possession, OF intelligence and
of high character.
Mr.. Elmore had been well trained in
the old school of banking, where to per.
sonal integrity and scrupulous exactness
In the details Of the counting room was
added the graces Of culture that was
more general in its requirements than the
one single thought of the money getting
banker" so called in later days of gilt
and mammon worshiping.
The genius OF our civilization In the pc.
riod of his training lived in higher
atmosphere than the fogs of trade and Of
traffic, where to make gains Is the one
purpose of a life and the shrine of a
dollar the only altar of sacrifice. The
science of political economy was taught
in our colleges and universities az a
science and Edward Elmore was one Of
Its closest students.
Because of his high personal character,
his known integrity and his requirements,
he had become an exponent of finance in
the city of Montgomery and received the
ready endorsement OF the best business
men of this conservative commercial CEN
ter, when suggested. by his friends, as a
proper custodian of the money and secur-
tiles of the Confederacy. without hesita-
ton Mr.. Davis, on the approval OF Sec
rotary Memminger, sent in his name to
the Provisional Congress as Treasurer,
and he was at once confirmed as such
His was the first appointment made of
those having charge Of the several sub
divisions or Bureaus" of the Treasury
Department.
When ] met him at the Executive
Building the large vault In the office as
signed him. on the first floor Of the pres
ent Clancy House, was entirely empty;
without dollar in It's keeping, its strong
doors swinging wide open to invite the
inspection of the curious; when / left
him to enter the army, millions, in sterling
coin, had passed in exchanges on his Sig
nature as Treasurer of the Confederate
States.
1t is an error TO suppose that In his
official capacity the Treasurer had only
TO receive. count, keep and pay out the
money OF the Government whose conf
dence he had secured and always main
tanned. 1t was expected that he should
have a thorough knowledge of the leg
islation of Congress. especially of such
appropriations as had been made of the
money in his charge, by the enactments
OF that body. All acquisitions made upon
the Treasury had first to pass his inspec-
ton before they assumed the form of
executive warrants. and even warrant.
approved by the Comptroller and sane
toned by the Secretary. was subject to
his review before being paid. When
the reader remembers the enormous sum
of money necessary to maintain our large
armies; to keep up the civil branches
of the Government and to keep our pur-
chasing agents and diplomatic represent
atives in Europe supplied. 1t will be
readily seen that the tax upon the mental
and physical energies of the Treasurer
were such as to try the capacity of no
ordinary person to the utmost extent. II
is true that he was IN constant and easy
communication with Secretary Memmin-
ger. who had for Mr.. Gilmore a very
high regard. but. resourceful as the Sec
rotary undoubtedly was. he could not re-
lieve the ever increasing burdens and re-
soonsibllities of the Treasurer.
Environed, as Mr.. Elmore Was. with
many perplexing difficulties; constantly
importuned by a host of quartermasters.
co1nnnissaries and disbursing officers, who
were always clamoring for money. l new
err knew or heard Of his losing his self
control or eHdencing the slightest pas