The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-06
SPENCER.
A Tribute TO the Public Services Of = Prsc-
tical ReconstructlOnist.

ucsl ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
To II EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: The
problem OF reconstruction with which the
statesmen at Washington struggled In vain
for many years was finally solved by the
genius OF a practical business man with a
few years Of earnest, aggressive work. BY
the magic Of business acumen and admins
trative talent OF unusual order. a grave I'M
pediment which lay as a solid wall before the
onward march OF progress was overcome WIN
signal ability and success.
The late Samuel Spencer. president OF the
Southern Railway, was the most distinguished
and practical reconstructlonist OF the age
He was in one sense a Pontifex Maximus'
VII bridged the broad chasm opened between
the North and South by a Ions and disastrous
war. To his rare constructive and creative
genius and marvellous executive ability a
united country owes a lasting debt OF graft
tude and honor.
which divided the North and South into hos
tile sections was in turn the element which.
under changed and favorable conditions and
the directive genius of a fertile and resource
full mind, reunited the two sections OF the
country In a firm and compact union. That
which the impractical statesmen failed to
attain the practical hnancier won with I'M
erring skill; that which the lawmaker sc-
complished in theory the fnancier reduced
to an active. potential reality.
The business acumen and financial genius
Of the late Mr.. Spencer were the greatest and
most effective factors In the practical recon-
struction and rehabilitation Of the South.
Drawing the people OF the two sections to-
gether upon the common ground OF necessity
and ambition. and uniting them in q close
commercial union by the element Of self
Interest, he brought out OF the chaos OF
ruined industries an organization Of mu-
tually cooperative and effective forces.
Through the potent influence OF the ailway
which he united In a firm integral unit Mr..
Spencer brought the commercial forces OF
the North and South into q o werful activity.
Like the road builders OF the Roman En-
pire, he opened the way for the rapid onward
march OF progressive forces.
Through the construction. operation and
perfection OF his great railway system ne
accomplished more for the restoration OF
peace. order. security OF life and property
ana the general welfare ana prosperity OF
the south than any Federal statute or gov
ernmental policy.
Mr.. spencer found the railways within the
sphere OF his activities as mud ana clay; ne
lett them as orick ana granite rm ana po-
tential. The initial parts OF the southern
railway were a loosely Joined. disconnected
often hostile impotent road before they
Ielt the toucn OF MT. Spencer,s vlrile genius
Wheh ne iel' ike a leaoer az the nead OF large
forces OF men and vast commercial interests,
ne ieit q transportation system whicn excited
the WONDER ana challenged the admiration
OF the whole world Inc southern railway
whicn ne ROUNDED ana developed with mas
terry skll 2nd Judgment was ike a mighty
OAK rooted nrmly ana deeply IN, the nu-
trtlve soh OF the south. with us spreading
branches extending well into the North.
lnis mhshty system was the potent lever
WHICH, unuer the aominlstratiVe skill OF
Sa"uei opehceI' accoihplisheu marvellous
results In the reconstruction OF the south.
me transportation system which united
the vast producing regions OF the south with
the expansive markets OF the North. or the