The Washington herald., 1914-11-07
HISTORY BUILDERS.
A Railroad Masnate's Prudent
Apothegm.
written Expressly for The HeraldJ
By DIR. Il. J. EDWARDS.

The last time saw C. p. Hunting
! ton was in the summer Of 1885. He was
then in his eIghtieth year. yet no one
would have guessed that he was more
than sixty years Of age II the guess
were based upon his physical appear
ance. brightness OF eye, clearness OF
complexion and yigor OF mind.
Mr.. Huntington attributed his long life
and his health to three causes. One
was the Inheritance OF n sound consti-
tuition. for he had come from a long
line Of sturdy Connecticut farmers An
other was the regularity Of his habits,
especially in eating and. also. to some
extent, abstinence from stimulants. But,
after all, the chief reason for his un-
impaired health and his capacity for
intense and long-continued, application
and concentration OF mind was his abil-
ity always to command himself so that
he was without worry ad maintained
cheerful outlook upon life as well as
kindly disposition toward all men.
As he stood leaning over the desk
OF the president Of one Of the New York
banks chatting informally infusing
much humor into his remarks. l was
impressed by his personality. which was
magnificent and more especially by the
noble proportions of his head, the reg
ularity of his features and the impress
which ability and thought had left upon
his countenance.
He chatted for a while upon the situa-
ton and explained why he had thought
1t expedient to begin the building OF
railroad which was to stretch from q
point on the Southern Pacific line into
Mexico. running parallel to the Gulf OF
Mexico
There are great coal mines down
there" he said. And there is a great
demand for coal Of that kind in the
Southwest and especially in the Pacific
States. May be 1 shall find that there
are other good reasons for building that
road and l may extend II far down the
Mexican coast
Mr.. Huntington then spoke OF some OF
his experiences when he was promoting
the Southern Pacific Railroad project.
IT doubt IL l should have been able
to accomplish what I set out to do" he
said. 'if had not been faithful to one
of the principles Of my philosophy Of
life.
Years ago, I made up my mind that
the man who wanted to do anything. I
don't care whether il was in business,
politics or what. must discard suspicion
unless he were fully justified In being
suspicious. l believe that the best way
for any man to do is to give full trust
and confidence to those with whom he Is
dSSCCldleO OF else 10 "llnHOlu AIusN
and confidence. In other wor6e, he
mustn't be suspicious or always looking
out for some improper motive. I have
my view into an apothegm.
II is this: Trust all in all or not at
ALL
This means that you must trust a
man until you fnd out that he Is not
worthy Of trust. and when you have
made that discovery absolutely drop
him. Have nothing to do with him.
That is the only safe rule. II has
served me well in my experience, and I
have accomplished what / have done by
always giving my confidence to men.
still bearing in mind some Of the weak
nesses and infrmities Of human nature.
but absolutely withholding confidence in
Or even association with those whom 1
have found unworthy Of my confidence.
II is a good rule and l wish more men
would observe it."
[Copyright. I9Il, By Z. J. EduHrds An rights re-
serTed)