Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-03

and private secretary.
There is not much Of the picturesque
about Cortelyou. He Is plain and to the
point. Still he is full Of tact and by no
means impresses one with the idea that he
is telling all he knows. or that he wears
his heart upon his sleeve for davis to peck
he is full of sentiment. The attacks that
some Of the newspapers made upon him on
account Of the stories about the soliciting
Of a campaign fund from the corporations
while he chairman of the republican
national committee hurt him deeply. From
political standpoint he did not care for
these attacks. but when his personal hon
esty was assailed it grieved him sorely and
to this day he has not forgotten the harsh
criticism that was heaped upon him, nor
is it likely that he will ever forget it. But
through all these attacks President Roose-
welt stood firmly by him just as President
Cleveland stood by him when the demo-
Gratis tried to induce Mr.. Cleveland to dis
charge his republican secretary.
Experience in Politics.
Cleveland took Cortelyou from the Post
Office Department into the White House.
With characteristic frankness the first
thing Cortelyou said to the President was:
You know, Mr.. Cleveland, that I am
republican"
And with characteristic bluntness Cleve-
land replied:
THAT doesn't make id bit OF Diff
ference"
And it didn't to either Cleveland or Cor
telyou.
As Secretary of the Treasury Mr.. Cortel-
yous wide experience, wide In official busi.
ness wide in politics and wide in life-will
stand him in good play. When the an
nouncement was made in 1904 that Mi.
Cortelyou was the choice OF Theodore
Roosevelt for chairman OF the republican
national committee all official Washington
threw up it's hands. Many expressed them
selves pleased, but many shrugged their
shoulders, and limited at inexperience and
even failure. But II there was lneAps-
rience it did not materalize and even the
most enthusiastic enemy Of Cortelyou has
not charged failure as far as the results
of that campaign were concerned. When
Roosevelt appointed Corteiyou to De Secre-
tary of the new Department Of Commerce
and Labor there was no surprise, for 1t was
known by this time that the President had
a very high opinion of the ability Of his
former secretary: But the fresldent nao
this When Mr.. Roosevelt succeeded Presi-
dent Mckinley he soon learned that Secre-
tary Cortelyou knew all the ms and outs
of the presidential machinery. Mr.. Roose-
Welt was unfamiliar with the gentle art of
receiving a great many visitors on single
morning and disposing OF them neatly,
quickly and at the same time giving to each
the impression that he had received especial
attention. President Roosevelt's methods
are abrupt and he offended many senators
and representatives. Mr.. Cortelyou smooth
ed matters over in his own diplomatic way,
and in a measure, he taught the method to
Mr. Roosevelt. And so it was that Roose-
welt learned to appreciate Cortelyou. And
SO it was that he jumped him from one
important position to another until now ne
has placed him In one of the highest and
one Of the most important positions within
the presidential appointive power.
Comes From Colonial Stock.
Cortelyou comes from good colonial stock.
ant Nff
zen Of New York city. He was the friend
and associate of Horace Greeley. Henry ].
Raymond, Hugh Hastings. Thurlow Weed
and others of that brilliant group of jour
nalists and politicians who became famous
in their day. He occupied one OF the most
beautiful homes on the heights in Brook
Ign. George B. Cortelyou was born in New
York city on July 26. 1862. II you look at
his biographical record you will see that he
was graduated from the Massachusetts
State Normal School at Westfeld. Mass,
in 1882: was student and instructor in ste
biography, New York city. 1883 1885: prin-
cipal of college preparatory schools, 1885,
50; private secretary to the United States
post Office inspector In charge at New York.
1889. and to the surveyor OF the port Of
New York, 1884, private secretary to the
fourth assistant postmaster general, WASH
ington. D. c., 169S-96; acting chief clerk
and acting fourth assistant postmaster gen
eral. 1895; stenographer and executive clerk
to President Cleveland. 1886; assistant
secretary to President Mckinley. 1895 1900;
secretary to the President, 190O-03: Secre-
tary Of Commerce and Labor in the cabinet
of President Roosevelt from February 18,
1903. to July /, 1904; in June, 1904, was
elected chairman Of the republican national
committee, and entered the new cabinet OF
President Roosevelt in March, 1905, as
Postmaster General.
Now this is the record of the man. One
thing may be added: He has the reputation
at being unqualifiediy faithful to those who
trust him. He was faithful to Cleveland.
He was faithful to Mckinley. He has been
faithful to Roosevelt As for his capabili-
ties-let his record show that. AS for his
mentality-his work In the Post ONCE De-
partment. la the Department Of Commerce
and Labor. as the secretary to three presi-
dents, should be taken as the answer. As
for his honesty OF purpose-he must he
judged by his entire past career. As for
his future, LET him speak for himself as he
spoke to me when he babe me good day:
81 must be Judged by what have done
What shall do a. Secretary OF the Treas
ury cannot say-I do not know. As It is
now, have but one policy: To treat all
men. all institutions. all sections without
Discrimination. and to conduct the work to
which have been called honestly, fairly
aAA to the best Of my ability
.