The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-12

cent extraordinary revolution, has turned every
eye upon his postion--his history-his connexions
the great publishing house with which he is con-
nected Every one is enqulring-"What kind Of a
man is Mr.. Harper1" "WhaI are his sentimental
'sWhere did he spring trom9' "What are his
views ?" "What sort of Mayor will he make e.
These are very natural enquiries, and il may be
difficult 10 answer them fully; still let us try
and give as satisfactory reply as may be in our
power.
James Harper is a native OF Long Island, and his
birthplace is but few miles distant from the city
OF New York. We understand that his father and
mother were natives Of the North of Ireland, and
Methodsts, who settled in Long Island, and were
themselves respectable by life Of piety, industry,
integrity, and blameessness in all their social in
tercourse. Mr.. Harper, the Mayor elect, is the
eldest of four sons, his three brothers being all
ISOLATED with him in the largest publishing house
ever established in this country. All the members
of this wealthy and influential firm have the same
general characteristics industrious, prudent, shrewd,
intelligent, moral and religious They are, indeed,
worthy representatives Of that race from which
they have sarung-a race in whom the energy and
fire Of the Irish character have been happily blend
ed with the sterling qualities of the English and
Scottish people, and who have made the North of
Ireland in intelligence order, and prosperity, the
very antpodes of the other portions of that beau
tifuI, but unhappy island.
James Harper commenced life as Journeyman
prnter-the first employment of not few Of the
best men our country has produced-and we be-
eve at one time wrought press work also much per
token, in company with Thurlow Weed Of Albany
now the editor of the wing paper there. BY the
most untirng industry, and the most rigid economy
which, habits singularly temperate and lreproacha-
Bile. rendered easy, Mr.. Harper accumulated small
sum, which added to the savings of his brothers,
John, Wesley and Fletcher, formed the capital on
which was commenced that establishment which
has since become so extensive. 1t was here attend
ing to his business, that the party in search OF
an honest and upright man to represent their views
and principles as Chief Magistrate of this great
city, found James Harper, and threw the mantle Of
popularity over him-a mantle which thus for once
descended on shoulders worthy of that honorable
covering. As we have already stated, Mr.. Harper
is a member of the Temperance Society, President
of one of the most respectable associations in this
city-the Lady Franklin Society-and has always
given to that great cause the most Jealous and eff
cent support. He is a member of the Methodist
church, and like most of the opulent adherents to
that Jealous denomination of the Christian church,
he has contributed in the most munfcent manner
the means of enabling it to carry on Its extensive
machinery for the propagation at home land abroad
of the great truths of Christianity.
The political sentiments of Mr.. Harper, as may
readily be supposed have been the subject Of much
inquiry and speculation We learn that he, as well
as his brothers, belongs to that class of indepen
dent politicians who approve or disapprove, accor-
4, al, .oTt la,r nd
judgment, of the men and the principles of every
party. We understand indeed in the case of the
Mayor elect that he regards John G. Calhoun as
decidedly the most eminent statesman of the pre-
sent age in this country. But notwithstanding this
partiality for the distinguished southern statesman,
we are not authorised to set Mr. Harper down as
Calhoun man, in the ordinary sense of the phrase
The statement we have made will, however, afford
the means of forming some opinion to the gene
raj views entertained by Mr.. Harper with respect
to the great questions connected with the interests
and welfare of this country
"What sort of Mayor will Mr.. Harper make?"
is perhaps the most frequent and interesting inquiry
Just now This naturally leads us into another in
quiry--What sort of partner is he in the great
publishing house with which he is connected? AS
we have remarked, there ares four brothers in this
firm-James, the Mayor elect, John, Wesley, and
Fletcher. James, the eldest, has heretofore had
charge, or general superintendent, of all the for
eign and domestic correspondence. John has had
the control of the financial department, assisted by
Wesley, and to Fletcher, who is full Of wit, humor
and vivacity, has been assigned the task of talk
ing with authors, and doing the conversation of
the firm. In this department James also takes some
SHARE and his conversation full of anecdote and
interest," his business talents being of very valuable
and important character in his particular line. 1t
will thus be seen that the complicated end mighty
affairs of this immense establishment has been
heretofore conducted the principle Of division OF
labor amongst its principals Each of the brothers
has supreme control in his own department, and
the decision of each on any particular point con
nected with the affairs of his department. is final
most pleasing proof of the mutual confidence in
each others integrity and sound Judgment These
are the principles which this great publishing
house has been conducted, and by which it has be-
come the greatest in this country. The firm is
now worth probably one million of dollars, and
may be said to be only, as it were, commencing
business with the present revival of trade.
With such man, from such a school, as its chief
magstrate-aman experienced in business-of the
most industrious habits, of the strictest integrity
untrammelled sby party-uncoruped by any party
altogether beyond the reach of any of
those influences which too often operate on men
not rich In this worlds goods-there is surely eve-
ny to hope that the affairs of this city will
be managed for year at least with order, regular
ity, despatch, and honesty.
INDEPENDENT MArLs.-In the last week trial
has been pending in Boston, relative to the Iega-
| tv of pry fe mai lS II hall tho do
PENDANT, and the Post Office Department the plain
tiff in the case. On Wednesday, Judge Sprague
charged the Jury, and instructed them as folows:--
LIST. That il passenger in railroad car steamboat
passing post road route carrying letter with
the Hedge consent Of the the car or
steamboat any OF his agents servants such owner
not liable to the penalty provided by the 10th section of
the act of 1925.
ID That such knowledge assent not to be pre-.
sumed from the facts admitted in this case.
3D. That the person who send such letters by such pas