Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-05-07
OF JOHN REEVE
Continued from Page l

not disturb him. This was the first
time in his life that he considered
but one side of a question, 1t was
his custom to dwell on all the ele-
ments of a subject in detail, and
when he had reached a conviction he
could maintain it by ample reasons.
He enjoyed civil discussion bat never
engaged in rude controversy. His
sense of propriety kept him above
employing even the ordinary license
of argument. 1t is pleasant to con-
template the unity of interest and
enthusiasm of accord that prevailed
during his latest conversations, when
the mutual welfare Of England and
France was reviewed by him with
the Reverend Rector of St. James
Church.
Mr.. Reeve came, to Island Pond
during the first years of the great
reconstruction period in the United
States, and he lived here to the fifth
eth anniversary Of the close of the
war. He came to this frontier port
at a vital time in the political and
commercial affairs on either side the
line. The creation of the Dominion
of Canada and the preservation of
the Federal Union had prepared
both countries for a long epoch of
prosperity. The reciprocity treaty
which had existed for twelve years
between them was abrogated. New
tariffs and regulations were put into
operation and relations without pre-
cedent were being established. The
era of marvellous railroad construc-
ton had just begun and the Grand
Trunk Railway, of the few then in
operation, was one of the most i'm
portant industrial enterprises in
America. It's international traffic
from the great west to the Atlantic
seacost created direct dealings and
incessant correspondence with the
Treasury Department at Washi1 G.
ton, and upon the adjustment of its
operations to the new tariff laws and
the maintenance of systematic and
technical regulations betwecnit and
the national government depended
its subsistence. To the adaptation of
this developing industry to the new
conditions of civil government Mr..
Reeve came in the tWofOld capacity
of railroad agent and customs at
torney. His selection for this position
was fortunate both for the railroad
and the customs department. By dis
position, education and experience,
he was peculiarly fitted for the place.
lie had a remarkable poise of charac-
ter by which he kept a calm appear
ance under the most aggravating
| circumstances. Though keenly SEN
sitive to the official orders of the
railroad management, some of which
he knew were bad policy, he accepted
them quietly, knowing they were
transient incidents Of the system.
To the officials of the old regime,
with English ideas and manners, it
seemed natural to meet a man of his
quality in their business relations, but
when the late president, who came
in with the change and who expected
men to meet him brusquely, first
passed over the road, he expressed
his surprise at finding here man of
such courtly bearing. Mr.. Reeve had
the same manner of civility with all
men. 1t appeared to have been in
nate and kept inviolate. His forbear-
ance with the many employees whom
he then had authority to discharge
was almost without limit. He SEEM
ed to make it an element of his duty
to seek some soul Of goodness in
each man and to "observingly distill
it out. " To his kindness of Emporium
ity was added the charity of suffer
ance that time and again saved men
from loss of occupation and families
from want. No man of the multi
tude who was employed on this divi-
sion of the railway for nearly half a
century had other than kindly feel
ings toward John Reeve. This is
written from an experience Of bust
ness intercourse in the same building
with him for twelve years, during
which his faithful, courteous and
gentle conduct daily suggested the
sentiment of the great poets lines:
d" 0 good old man, how we'll in thee
appears
The constant service of the antique
world,
When service sweat for duty, not
for need!
Thou art not for the fashion of these
times,
When none will sweat but for pro
motion. "
Mr.. Reeve lived a we'll ordered anC
systematic life, following closely de
fined ways almost without deviation
The duties of his office were com
pleted each day and then he left then
for a peaceful evening with hi
family. In his home were art anC