Mr. Plant keeps himself constantly informed of the workings of the whole System over which he presides, by daily communication with every part of it. The head of each department writes to the president every day, or telegraphs, or does both if necessary, and in return, Mr. Plant, through his secretary, replies daily to each communication received. So close does he keep to the workings of the System that wherever he travels in the country his mail is regularly delivered to him at points arranged for the purpose, and it is as promptly answered from his private car as if he were at his own office in New York City. Nor are all these letters which pass between the president and his associates about hard business; they are often social, familiar greetings, and interchanges of friendly intercourse. The following extract from a letter, written by Mr. Plant when traveling to Galveston, Texas, is an illustration of this: NOTES OF THE VOYAGE. “Left wharf on Steamer _Comal_, Saturday, July 22, 1893, 4 P.M., wind southwest. Passed Sandy Hook about 5.30, found sea smooth; well off the coast, shore houses vaguely seen in the distance. “_Sunday, 23d._--Had a still and comfortable moonlight night; smooth seas; wind southwest; off Cape Charles, twelve o’clock. About one o’clock wind all died away. The sea perfectly smooth until 2.30, when a light breeze came in from the southeast, which lasted until sunset, then died away and came out again from the west about six o’clock. Passed Body Island Light with light breeze. No sea. “8.10 P.M.--Hatteras Light fairly abreast--ten sailing vessels and one steamer in sight. Weather being fine, captain concluded to cross the Gulf Stream and run down on the east side and along the Bahama Banks. We have now been out twenty-eight hours, and I have felt very well. No annoyance from the stomach so far in any particular. “_12 o’clock noon, Monday, 24th._--We are bowling along in the Gulf Stream with a good breeze from the west--smooth sea. Had a fairly good sleep. Room being on the port side and the wind from the west made it rather warm. At noon to-day the temperature of the water is eighty degrees and the air is eighty-two degrees, which is not so bad as might be. We are now well off Charleston and about abreast of the Bermudas. “_Tuesday, 25th._--The wind continued from the west until about four o’clock, when it ceased, and from that until nine we had a dead calm and a smooth glassy sea. Now at ten o’clock a light breeze comes in from the east, and we have prospect of a comfortable day.