Letter from James Sullivan Clarkson, 16 October 1896
under date of .
I desire President Woodruff and his associates to know that I
cordially appreciate what they did in this matter in anticipating the
payment of their notes. I know of no others who in these contracting
financial times have been kind enough to anticipate their own paper. As
I said in my other letter, their action in this matter has greatly im-
proved their credit in New York City. I could see it immediately at
the Plaza Bank, and Mr. Mills, the President, has spoken of it several
times to other bankers, and all of tyhem have said that they knew of no
other people or corporation who in these times, when money has become
the only thing of value, have anticipated the payment of their paper. I
have given the impression that these notes were redeemed at $22,000, and
it is better to let that impression remain—better for my credit, and
better for theirs. I wish you to assure Presidents Woodruff, Conrad
and Smith of my appreciation in this matter, and of my unrelinquished
desire to be of service to them and their people in any way that I can
in the future, personally, socially, politically, or in any other manner
in which my influence or help might be of any avail to them. I have
great faith in the problem they are working out. I have had constant
admiration for the manner in which your people have reclaimed the desert
and set up a great state in the wilderness, and as great admiration of
the humanity and kindness constantly displayed in your religion. Espec-
ially pleasing to me is that portionof your church work and intention
which seeks to care for your people in this world as well as the next.
The industry uyou inculcate, the honesty you teach, the law and order you
observe, the ambition you have to serve your fellow men, are all very
appealing and influential with me, and the time will never come when I
will not be glad to serve your people or your Church in any way in which
my influence may fall to their benefit.
