Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-04-14

in the breasts of inferior government
servants. They are slaves to sys-
tenn, and to an out of date. cumber-
some system at that. No wonder they
get SO out of the habS of work
No Slight Task.
Secretary Cortelyou has gone far to-
ward changing this inefficient, idiotic
and deadly system of doing things, or.
rather, of not doing them. He has cut
red tape, has introduced longer hours,
has put more hope, spirit and ginger
into the men. has inaugurated more up
to date methods and has actually or
ganized the departments with which
he has had to do into some semblance
of common sense. This has been no
slight task, and even he, with his re-
markable ability as an organizer, has
been able to traverse only small part
of the distance toward the goal But
he at least has gone in the right direc-
ton, aided by the powerful and virile
influence Of President Roosevelt, and
that is more than anybody else has
done In the memory of man.
| When chairman of the Republican
national committee Mr. Cortelyou also
introduced some of this system into it's
affairs to the surprise and disgust of
the old time politicians. Here the prob
lem was different. The fault with po-
litcal committees is not red tape or
mildew, but looseness in business
| methods. From the hail fellow. hearty.
wide open atmosphere of the old days
of Hanna and Quay Chairman Cortel-
you made headquarters look like a
great bank or business house. To this
innovation the political workers could
never grow accustomed. But that it
| was effective was shown by the re-
suits.
George Bruce Cortelyou was born in
New York, July &c, 1862 He gradu-
| ated from the Hampstead institute and
State Normal school of Massachusetts.
| He married the daughter of DIR. Kinds.
| the president of the first named school.
He was for a time teacher and stud
led music, but decided early to take a
thorough course In shorthand and he
come law reporter. He was pre-
paratory school principal in New York
from 1885 to 1889, when he entered the
public service. He was private secre-
tary to the postoffice Inspector at New
York and the surveyor of the port of
the same city. He then became pri-
vate secretary to the fourth assistant
postmaster general. This was under
the Harrison administration. and his
record was so good that. though he of
fered to resign, he was continued I'M
der Cleveland.
1 As before referred to, Mr.. Cortelyou
was made confidential stenographer to
the president in November, 1895; pro-
noted to executive clerk In February,
1896; appointed assistant secretary to
President Mckinley on July 1. 1898;
made secretary to the president on
April Is. 1900; reappointed by Presi-
dent Roosevelt Sept. Is, 1901; made
| the first secretary of the department OF
commerce and labor Feb. 16, 1903
elected chairman of the Republican ma.
ti0nal committee on June %, 1904; an
pointed postmaster general ON March
Ia. 1905. and on March f. 1907, was
made secretary of the treasury.
A Dazzling Career.
In less than thirteen years, there
fore, he has been confidential man te
three presidents. has held three cabinet
portfolios and has been general Of the
dominant party In the most victorious
campaign of modern times.
| With such a dazzling career before
their eyes. no wonder the spiritiess ant
deIectfd government clerks at Wash
ingto4 have picked up heart no won