Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-07-08
Sketches of Our Candidates.
Samuel j. TiIlcn.

Samuel j. Tilden.
Samuel J. 1'lden was born at New Lebanon,
in the county of Columbia aud state of New
York, in the year lsl4-tbe year which ruin
cd the fortunes Of the great Napoleon. One
Oh his ancestors. Nathaniel Tllden, was mayor
of the city Of TeEterden, Kent, England, in
1928. Governor Tilden's grandfather, John
Tilden, settled in Colum bia county. The
governors mother was descended from VIM.
Jones, Lieutenant Governor of the colony of
New Haven, who, in all the histories Of Con-
necticut, is represented to have been the son of
Col. John Jones. one of the regicide judges Of
Charles l., whe is said to have married a sis
ter Of Oliver Cromwell aud a cousin Of John
Hampden. TIE governors father, a farmer
and merchau, of New Lebanon, was q man Of
notable judgment aud practical sense, and the
accepted oracle Of the county upon all matters
Of public concern while his opinion was also
eagerly sought aud justly valued by all his
neighbors, but ly none more than by the late
President Van Buren,, who till, his death, was
one of his most cherished intimate and per-
sona friends Mr. T'lden had not long been
at Yale College before Lis health gave way
and obliged lin to leave. After some rest he
was enabled to resume his studies, and 10 1884
entered The University of New York, where be
completed his academic education. He then
entered the law Office ef the late John W.
Edmuuds, in the city of New York, where he
enjoyed peculiar facilities for tue prosecution
of his favorite studies of law and poit ics.-
Upon his admission to the bar, Mr.. Tilden
opened an Office in Pine street, 10 the city Of
New York. In 1914, in anticipation and pre-
paratior for the election which resulted in
making James *. Polk President and Silas
Wright Governor of the State of New York,
Tildeu, in connection with John l.. OSnlll-
van founded the newspaper called the DAILY
Nelrs. In the fall of 1916 lie was sent TO the
Assembly from tie city Of New York, and
while member of that body was elected to
the convention for the remodeling Of the Con-
stitution of the state which was to commence
| its sessions few weeks after the Legislature
adjourned IL both of these bodies Mr.. Til
den was conspicuous authority.
PTe-emnent as a ReiOrmer, 10 the eternal
honor of the Democratic party of the city and
| State Of New York, on tie Issue made up
by Mr. Tilden they gave him their cordial and
| irresistible support The result was over
whelming, and lot only changed the city rep
resentation in the legislative bodies Of the
! State. but. in its moral effect, crushed tie
"Ring." He WAS elected Governor OF New
York over Gen Jno. a. Dix, who bad pre-
yiously been elected by plurality OF 58 .46l,
| by the triumphant plurality OF 53,3I5-a
gain Of JOG, 166
Mr.. Tillen is now in the sixty-third year Of
his age. II, is FIVE feet ten inches in height,
aud he has what physi1logists call the purely
nervous temperament, with its usual accom-
panimebt Of spare figure, blue eyes aud fair
complexion. Ills hair, originally chestnut, Is
now partially sivered with age.
Thomas A. Hendricks.
Gov. Hendricks was born in Muskingum
county, Ohio, on the 7th of September, 1919,
and his father removed the family to Shelby
county. Indiana. when the Governor was but
three years old, so that be belongs TO both
those States, iu which, as well as in the whole
country, he is Of commanding respect and in
auence. He had tho advantage of liberal
education, and graduated from College IN lS4 l.
In 1913 he graduated at law in ChamberS6uTg,
Pa. and at once returned to Indiana, where
he built up for himself lucrative practice OF
his profession. in which he is remarkable ioT
legal lore, eloqueuce and astu,eness. lie
served in succession as q member of the lndi-
ana Legislature, the State constitutional con-
vention, Congress and the United States Sen
ate. lie We olsa- commissioner of the gem
eral laud Office, and Is now Governor oil 10
diana. While in the Senate lie held high
rank among the Senators for his answering
devotion to the principles of his party and the
best interests of all the people, particularly
being distinguished for tie boldncSs and frank
ness with which he maintained his opinions
on leading subjects No Senator was more
persistent in opposition to measures subver-
size Of State government, to test-oathS, to the
civil rights bill, the fFeedmeu's bureau abOr-
ton, and to all similar legislation.
Gov. Hendricks is a man Of medium height
and symmetrical form. lie is erect, active
and vigorous. His face is manly and hand
some. The features are large and expressive,
and while there is a soft, good-bnmored eX-
preston in the large blue eye and IN the mouth
and dmpled chin, the brow, forehead and lnll
heavy Jaw show wisdom aud resolution. HIS
complexion is ford, and his hair and SIDE
whiskcrs are vet untouched with gray. lie
looks like ono who has lived happy lie, en-
countered no great SORROWS and yielded 20 DO
great vices. Though he has for years been
taught to regard the presidency a. within MS
grasp bis ambition has been rather sort OF
national longing for the honor than an inss-
table thirst for power. His disposition IS as
sunny as Lis complexion, aud in social lie he
is great favcrite; 10 acquaiuiarceS he Is
aiable and easy, to close friends warm and
loyable, 10 political partisaus courteous but
cautious. lie would rather corciliate an en-
! o,,,, ,L,, oII;on IN ally His habits are such
tha; lie found IS, OOO a year ample for his eX-
penditures during his senatorial term at
Washington. His voice isa thin tenor, and
has nothing imposing in its tones, but IS audi
bic to great distance when be speaks with
earnestness. One of the features Of bis Ca
reer has been the long rivalry between him
and Mor,on-a rivalry in which the bitterness
was all on one side. Mr.. Hendricks is an
Episcopalian. His wife is woman of great
culture and force of character-one formed to
be mans comrade in the path of honor
rather than source Of temptation. They