The San Francisco call., 1904-07-17

commerce
y Labor in the Cabinet Of the
Z President of the United States
is the honorable advancement
recently accepted by the Hon. Victor
Howard Aietcalf, Representative from
the Third District Of the State OF Cali
fornia since his entry to the House in
the Fifty-sixth Congress. He is the
second man from his district and Cali
fornia to be honored with a Cabinet
position and the State. which has not
Jared well hitherto in Cabinet repre-
sentation, IS gratifed.
The eye of the general public. polit-
cal and otherwise, according to the
somewhat fckle custom Of its
mechanism. has focused its searching
gaze upon the man who has at once
entered into greater power and wider
prestige. The man of the hour must
be investigated. He is a national fig
ura without some OF the most cher
tshed rights Of a private citizen. What
has he done for US. and what will
he dos Above all, what IS he like per
sonallyf What about his home life?
How many children has he? How did
he make his money. If he has any?
Questions such as these are some OF
tie penalties which the curious public
Of al classes. they who do not attempt
% psnetrste thOughtfully the ins and
suts OF political issues, or 10 judge or
sound carefully the depth OF mentality
OF the man who must assist in direct
ing the affairs OF the country for it's
veal or woe. are wont 10 inflict upon
the man who has achieved something
above his fellows. In the case of the
new Secretary Of Commerce and La
bor, his personality alone offers an in
teresting field for this public banker
ing 70 know more intimately Of him.
II you did not know that Victor H.
Metcslf was by profession and prac-
tice an attorney, you would set him
down as an army or naval officer A
military carriage and bearing, the
last effect OF training at a military
academy IN his youth. enhances his
well-prOportiOned muscular figure.
which stands . feet II inches. The
new Cabinet member IS what might be
truthfuIly called a distinguished look
ing man. A straight nose which sug-
gests directness and executive ability.
goes well with a decisively nodded
-----r -A- -ATe-f II D-l gray llOQLdCne
shades the mouth. The dark blue
eyes are keen and twinkle humorously
st times behind eyeglasses. Hair that
is fast turning 10 silver gray surrounds
a forehead that IS broad and reced-
ing. the brow Of the executive man and
scholar rather than the dreamer.
And lastly in the ensemble. he has a
good hand and a trim foot His man
s fTr -le r~ar1,ar rF,s., d.
'of The man who knows his world and
is sure Of where he stands in *.
He impresses you as a clear headed
man, somewhat Of Il reader Of men
and one who might develop a share Of
ability on diplomatic lines. His per
son2lity would perhaps give him his
hrst weight in conference. A man Of
some discrimination. ard one VINO
would use IT, A man Of naturally quick.
impulsive temper. but versed in self
control A man who would adjust him
self 70 new surroundings and duties
quickly, and without betraying lack Of
familiarity with their requirements.
Altogether, man OF ability and capa-
be Of developing greater.
He is thoroughly ar out Of door. ath-
letic type OF man, as BELTS the breezy
West from which he goes. as he has
been since his boyhood He first saw
the light IN Utica. Oneida County. New
York, on October 10, 1853. so that he
begins his service in the Cabinet while
practically in the prime Of life AS a
boy his greatest delight was TO play a
game OF baseball. OF TO beat some other
chap In q foot or swimming race. His
father, William Metcalf. a lumber nler-
chant OF Utica. later sent the lad 10
the Russell Military Academy in his
home town, where he spent a year OF
50 and had for his companions in the
daily drills such men as Charles D.
Walcott and General Oscar F. Long OF
washington. He then entered Yale
University in the class Of 1876 and. in
accordance with his desire from boy
hood 70 become q lawyer. entered the
law department Of the university al
the end OF his junior year and at the
age OF p left the university with the
degree OF IL. 3. He also studied in
Hamilton College. Clinton. New York
where he obtained the same degree
Throughout his college course he was
prominent IN athletic and aquatic
sports. and among the most cherished
trophies now in his Oakland home are
three silver prize cups. two Of them in
Ecribed 70 him as the victor in regattas
az Yale. Among college classmates OF
the Secretary VINO have also achieved
distinction are Senator Kean Of New
Jersey, Congressman Fowler Of the