The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1915-06-01
JOHN GRIFFITH M'cuLLoueH


recent history of Vermont passed
away in the death OF For
mer Governor John G. McCul
Tough, which occurred Saturday
evening at his winter home in
New York. While possessed OF men
] tai insight and vigor that have made
lasting impression in the financial
world. he will undoubtedly be longer
remembered. in Vermont at least, for
his pleasing personality and kindness
of heart, combination that is rare
i'll men of large affairs.
AS an attorney in California and as
a banker and director of railroad en-
terprises in the east he had attained
a position such as few men are des-
tined to reach, but this goal had
been passed without that hardening
process that has come to be expected
in men who deal in millions. A
gentleman in all that the word can
mean, courteous, considerate. APP
proachable but dignified a. friend
whose interest was continuous and
far-reaching and whose keen BUSH
ness Judgment was always available
his attributes combined in the crea-
ton of the best type. OF American
citizenship.
His patriotism was well exemplifi-
ed by the course adopted upon his ar
rival in California in 1860. De-
barred because of physical condition
from taking active service in the
army he threw himself into that bit
terly-fought campaign to preserve
the Golden State for the Union and
history records that his services in
this crisis were invaluable.
He located in Vermont in the
prime of life and few men have be-
come so ediversifedly interested in
the affairs of any commonwealth. |
Many men have acquired distinction
in a particular branch of industry or
endeavorT but his interests reached
out into the financial, the political
apd thes educational field. He:
was a.ilreguIar attendant at
republican, state conventions for
more than a quarter of a
century 'Iand constantly active in
the councils Of the republican party.
his business activities .were wide
and varied and the states institu-
tons OF lsarning in his constant con
sideIptionyl
His generosity was pronounced
characteristic but SO transformations
that not AN of his public benefac-
tons have become generally known.
These INCLUDED the University of
Vermont, Middlebury college. Burr
and Burton seminary of Manchester.
ST. Johnsbury academy. Montpelier
seminary, Vermont academy at Sax
tons River, home for destitute chill
dren at Burlington. Kurn Hattin
homes at Westminster, the Vermont
State Fair association, the Benning
ton County Improvement association
and others.
When governor he was criticised
for his extensive use of the pardon
ing power. Perhaps he was far
sighted enough to realize that in the
decade following the expiration of
his term of office system of
parole embodying even greater lieni-
ency would have been adopted in
Vermont but, inasmuch as the men
who were released from the institu
tons were frequently given financial
assistance to help them back to life
OF self-respect the natural conclus-
ion can be nothing more than that
the executive was prompted by de-
sire to aid the unfortunate.
His record in the financial world
was remarkable, the reorganization
of the Erie Railroad company is con-
sidered by men qualified to pass
opinions, to have been a work of
genius and it was chapter in his
life in which he took commendable
pride but undoubtedly his memory
will be most revered in his adopted
state because of those charming
characteristics which more closely
touched humanity and for the kind
ness and virtue of his private life