The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-28
WASHINGTON, December %.
Special Correspondence OF the Philadel-
phia Times.

phia Times.
The political whirIigig often throws
the calcium glare of public attention
upon eNexpected and unexpectant men.
81 1t has happened to Abram ). Hewitt,
who. next to Governor Tilden, is per-
hapS the most prominent Democrat tc-
dav. | am not likely soon to forget my
tirst meeting with him. 1t was in the
early DAYS of the last session. The New
York World wanted bit of news. Mr..
Hewitt could give it. l was delegated to
get it, An evening trip to his abiding
place in comfortable house on
X street, the Fifth avenue Of
the city, YVES necessary. A pretty
house il is, the end house of a fine but
modest looking block, well back from the
street aui BEAUTIFULLY located on the top
Of low terrace. A wide, hospitable.
looking door opens into wide, hoplts-
ble-lookirg hall, whose furnishing be-
speaks quiet comfort and an adherence
rt display. y door 10 the right, the
first one opens into the study. The
room bcspeaks the scholar and the lit
crary worker at n glance, An ample
table in the GENRE of the room is always
buried beneath a iumbled mass OF news
papers, books. manuscripts and maya
zines. On working table, between the
two front windows, another tumble of
manuscripts, blank paper. two or three
books of reference and a small cleared
space. where man might possibly lay
sheet of paper and write. Close to the
working ia lie, movable book-rack
grooming under its weight OF law books,
Opposite to the hall door, al open hre
place, in which lew faggots are always
ilickering. On the walls, few ancient
portraits of ancient people. It's speci-
men literary work shop, and Its owner
looks most At home when IN it. In his
study surrounded by Il group OF political
. friends and co.workers, Mr.. Hewitt APP
pears to best advantage. a thin, spare
man, rather under the medium height,
with pronounced scholarly stoop at
tie base of the neck, the head always
bowed AS it in meditation. u shaggy full
beard and mustsche, less yellow and
more gray than the hair, light eyes.
deep sunkcn and usually half hid by
looping cyelids, Il sallowness of skin,
bnspeaking the confirmed dyspeptic.
Dlsordcrly but never slovenly Of dress.
That j. the outward picture; certainly
j. is no; the model Tor an Apollo Belvi
/ re. but the outward picture does not
paint the inner man.
But I am wandering from that first
meeting, which gave me very errone-
rus impression Of Mr. Hewitt A stiff
Il no yraatinr, and
my errand stated, petulent TRADE
Il ,ainst newspapers i'll general, and the
lrorR in particular, followed. Toward
the World, then controlled by MantOn
Marble, his feeling seemed so exceed
irglv bitter that | could not believe its
alleged injustice toward himself was the
only or the chief cause The real reason
never knew until this winter,
lus PAST RELATIONS WITH HIS PARTY.
The story Is short one, and AS 1t
throws light on the predominant trait OF
Mr.. Hcwitt's character, it may As well be
told. His ability and the souudnesS OF
his political advice has long been known
|, his Democratic colleagues in New
York State But it is only lately that his
counseis have been much needed.
The reason is simply that he
has quarreled politically with
nearly every prominent Democrat in
his own state, or rather they nearly all
quarreled with him. 1t is said by New
Workers that the only prominent Demo-
eat in New York state with whom he
has not quarreled is Governor Tilden,
who has probably declined to fall out be-
cause he has too much political wisdom
ana diplomacy and appreciates the man
"a, his iul value For these political IN
,mpatbilitieS there is one self-evident
reason. Dyspeptic petulance may be the
excuse. but an announcement amount OF
honor for party purposes Is the primal
cause. Mr.. Hewitt is the soul OF honor.
a dishon Orable action is abherrent TO his
whole nature, and not all the eXigenCies
Of his party for the last half century
combined In one could induce him for
moment to even cOndone measure
which his own delicate sense of
honor condemned. This predominant
,rnit of his character holds his
personal friends to him by golden
cords. and makes his enemies respect
him, but it makes him many enemies.
Among his political enemies may be
coualed Manton Marble, who quarreled !
with him on the question of free trade. |
ON tina, quarrel hangs the tale of my
first meeting. speaker Kerr had n very
r..,h regard Tor Mr.. Hewitt's ability and |
r.,egrity. and had decided 1t is said, to |
1--WE hlm u prominent place on one of
,ha lead NJ committees. In looking
after the makeup of the New York slate,
Manton Marble learned of the intention,
and Immediately set TO work 10 change
IL, So earnest was he that he came on
t. Washington, labored personally with
Mr.. Kerr, after much persuasion accom-
pll.he his object, and the result was
that Mr.. Hewitts only committee APP
rointmcnt was on the committee on pub
Inc buildings and grounds, a place for
ABUNDANT leisure and unnoticed vegets-
tinn. On hearing the story | under
STOOD Mr.. Hewitt's antipathy to the
Uo1.d of last winter.
HOW He CANE TO TIKI FORE.
Events. however. disconnected many
intrigues. and among other unlocked for
men brought Mr.. Hewitt To the fore.
During the early weeks of the session he
sat an observing, but unobserved spects-
tor of the House, and made but very few
sneeches. and these mainly on his pet
theory OF finance. These, like all his
efforts. were learned. But the aim of
both sides of the House prior to the cleo
ton was to avoid al financial debate,
aud Mr. Hewitts efforts were cold
shouldered, as were the efforts Of all the
takers Oh the same subject. The last
nigh. of the session brought Mr.: Hewitt
his opportunity, and he made the most
of it, albeit unconsciously, and as
much TO his own surprise as TO the sur
prlse of his friends the House and the
country at large. On that last night Mr..
X asson had made most virulent, I'M
provoked and bsseless attack upon the
personal character and personal record of
MIR, Tilden. Cox had lost his temper