HOW GEORGE W. CHILDS ROSE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 43, 31 July 1891, Page 29

HOW GEORGE W. CHILDS ROSE.

George William Childs, writing of his early experience and givirg advice to young mcD, sayi :—": — " It is well, in my opinion, to accustom one's ?elf tarly to work and not to be afraid of any kind rf work that is honest and useful. I began to support myßelf when 1 was twelve yea r s old, and I had never been dependent on others since then. 1 had some schooling, but not much ; I never went to college, not because I did not think a college career might be a good thing for those who could afford it, and who could make a good use of it, but becausa I did not feel that it was so important for me as to be earning my own living. When I left home to come to Philadelphia one of my relatives said that I would soon have enough of that and would be coming back again. But I made up my mind tbat I would never go back— l would succeed. I had health, the power of applying myself, and, 1 suppose, a fair amount of brains. I came to Philadelphia with 3 Job in my pocket. I found board and lodgiDgs for 2 Jols 50c, and tben I got a place as office boy for 3dols. Tbat ty^|fc me a surplus of fifty cents a week. I did not merely do the wo k fiat 1 v»as absolutely required to do, but I did all I could, and put my heart into it. 1 wanttd my employer to feel tbat I was more useful to him than he expected me to be. I was not afraid to clean and sweep and perform what might be considered by some young

gentlemen nowadays as menial work, and therefore beneath them' l did not think it beneath me then, and I should not now. If it were necessary I would sweep out my office to-day, and I often carry bundles. But the other day a youth came to me to ask if I could find some employment for him. His father had died and bis mother could not support him and he wished to support himself. I looked at him, and saw tbat he had on very nice clothes and kid gloves. I asked him if he would like to wheel a wheelbarrow. He seemed surprised, and answered tbat he didn't think he wonld like that. Then I asked him if be would object to carrying bundles. Well, be wasn't anxious to carry bundles either. He was like many young men who talk about wanting work, but when it comes to the point they want to do only kid glove sort of work. I must say I don't have much sympathy with that sort of feeling. Men are all brothers, and what is worthy of one is not unworthy of any one.

" As time went on I kept bettering my position, and when I bad an office in the Public Ledger building I believe I eaid to myself that some time I will own that paper. At any rate, I directed my work in such a way that, when the time came that I was able to buy it, I was also able to manage it rightly. There is little use in procuring a valuable property unless you have trained yourself to nsa it in * proper manner. The change that I made in the Ledger at first had the effect of decreasing its circulation ; but before long it increased again, until it greatly surpassed what it had ever been before. I have always believed that it is possible to unite success in business with strict moral integrity. I am aware tbat many people think that the ethics of business, or of politics, are quite distinct, and that a man may do things in his public employment which he will not think is right to do in his domestic or private life. I do not agree with this view, and if the record of my life has any value it is in showing that at least it is not necessary to success in bnsiness that a man should indulge in " sharp " practices. But even if it were necessary, still it would not follow that it is worth while. Theie are higher satisfactions than the mere getting of money, and riches cannot compensate a man for the consciousness of having lived % dishonourable and selfish life."