New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-02-28
F. W. CARPENTER, MR. TAFTS SECRETARY
From The Tribune Bu-eau.l


Washington, Feb. 27-When Mr.. Taft's special
reached Minnesota on its great campaign trip last
fall the railroad men received orders 10 stop at
Sank Centre.
what on earth are stopping here forT' the
candidates travelling companions asked each other.
why this is where Fred Carpenter was born
and brought up" replied OF the party. who
knew almost everything concerning the itinerary.
Il want Carpenter here" announced Mr..
Taft as they 10 stop beside the Ht1ie
station and q group Of possibly hundred persons
gathered around the end Of the train 1 want
the people he used 20 know TO see him now"
In spite of his protestatons, dark conpiexioned'
slightly built young was dragged out on the
back platform Of the car. and Mr. Taft put his
arm around him in fatherly sort OF way as he
exclaimed You all OF you, remember Fred Car
penter."
Won bet we do" cried half dozen robust voices
in the crowd At this point the dark complexioned.
slightly built young man attempted to slip from
Mr. Tafts grasp and dodge back into the car
The big candidate too quick for him, how
ever for he took a stronger hold on his shoulder
and continued:
We'll ] want TO say 70 all OF his OLD neighbors
and friends that Carpenter is the best secretary
that man ever had. l got him by accident when
I was out in Manila. I needed secretary ana q
man named Dan Williams told me that II got
Carpenter I would have the best secretary IN the
United States or the Philippines, between the
two williams right. / have had him almost
ten years. and he has not grown any older except
In service. He is even better to-day than he was
then, for he Understands better now 10 cohtrol he
and keep straight"
The crowd gave rousing cheer. MI Carpenter
slipped from Mr.. Taft's grasp, tbs locomotive
whisted and the train rolled away on IT'S vote-get-
ting tour.
..Hurrah for Sank Centre"' cried everybody on
the train-except Mr. Carpenter-and from that
day 20 this the obscure little town IN the North
west has occupied a warm spot in the hearts OF
all the newspaper men.
But neither Sank Centre any other little town
could hold for very long the personality that was
to become secretary the President % the United
States When he twelve years old, in 1854 ne
removed TO California and most Of his younger
Obspo He attended the public schools in the
Golden State and then brushed up at an acad-
envy When he was about twenty he returned TO
Minnesota and entered the state university. where
in due time he was graduated. took the law course
and was admitted 10 practice in 1881 In the year
following he took the degree OF Ii. NJ, and was
soon after admitted practice in California Wnere
ne returned to settle down for life He became
connected with the law firm Of Bishop & Wheeler
and II was while acting Mr.. Wheeler's stenog-
rapher and law clerk he got the message from
Mr. Taft that sent him half way around the world
and put him straight the path to fame. Car
penter took the next steamer after getting that
message and neither he Mr.. Taft has ever re-
GREETED e. From that day to this Mr. Carpenter
has been Mr.. Tafts shadow, and much more useful
he has proved than most shadows. he mas peeh
with him twice around the world
Like Secretary Loeb. whose successor he is TO
become Mr. Carpenter will enter upon his duties
at the White House a bachelor. Soon after he
got well into the harness here Mr. Loeb took a
week of. went back to his old home at Albany