The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-10-29

Edward Cooper was student in Columbia
College. Mr.. Hewitt, two years his senior,
was his tutor. In 1874 Peter Cooper decided to
send his son on tour in Europe, and engaged
Mr.. Hewitt to accompany him. They were
shipWrec6ed, and picked up from off floating
spar in mid ocean by passing vesssl after ex-
periencing terrible perils and sufferings. This
fellowship OF danger naturally cemented their
friendship, and on their return Mr.. Cooper
associated Mr.. Hewitt with.him in his busl-
ness. He developed remarkable capacity for
managing the affairs of the concern, and the
hrm OF Cooper & Hewitt, which was soon after
formed, grew to be one Of the most extensive
and prosperous iron houses in the United
States. Mr.. Hewitt with characteristic pride
and independence lived ffugally and exclusively
upon his own earnings from the beginning.
He acquired wealth with considerable rapidity,
but he is indebted solely to his own energy and
capacity for all that he has ever received.
When his means suficed he married the only
daughter of Peter Cooper, and thus became q
member of the family as we'll as principal of
the firm. He has always kept his city resi-
dence at the home of his father in-law, al
though he has fine country seat in neigh
boring town in New Jersey. Peter Cooper
occupies large plain double house on the cor
ner of Lexington Avenue and 22d street, one
block above Gramercy Park. His son Edward
lives on the opposite corner. These houses
were built by Mr. Cooper some twenty-five
years ago. Cyrus W. Fields house adjoins
that of Peter Cooper, being located on the cor
ner Of 21st street and Lexington Avenue.
David Dudley Field lives next door to him.
Their houses front Gramercy Park. On the
opposite side-20sh street-stands Mr.. Tilden's
vast bachelor mansion, with grounds In the
rear extending to 10Th street. His next door
Deighbor is ClaIkson N. Potter. These geo.
graphical notes are worthy Of record in view of
the prominent part Gramercy Park has been
made to play in the history Of recent political
events and revelations.
There is no family circle In New York that
Is the nucleus of more good deeds than that
which clusters around that perfect examplar of
simplicity, kindness and benevolence, Peter
Cooper His son and daughter, his son-in-,aw
and daughter-in-law and his grandchildren are
as ready and willing as he is to join cordially
and effectively in every undertaking having for
its object the amelioration of the condition of
their fellow beings. They make no parade of
afluence, no display of muni6cence. They are
all quiet, unpretending, undemonstrative, but
for solid worth and practical usefulness
they have few equals and no superiors within
the limits Of this great city.
Everybody regrets, Of course, that Peter
Cooper has SO often been the dupe of unscru-
pulous and transparent adventures. He was
completely hoodwinked by Tweed's hsnchman,
Sands, who actually made him believe thas the
Ring were inspired by the supreme ambition
to bring about municipal millennium. On this
faith he supported them to the very hour of
their exposure, and mildly upbraided his friends
and neighbors for distru,ting their professions.
Latterly he has been victimized By greenback
charlatans most numerically. But 1t is be-
cause he is so absolutely guieles,, that he Is 30
easily imposed upon. and his excessive creduli.
ty does not tend in the least to impair the re-
spect which is universally entertained from
the sincerity of his motives and the generosity
Of his heart.
1t would certainly be a graceful act for the
electors OF the metropolis to manifest their
reverence for so excellent citizen by bestov-
ing the Chief Magistracy upon the SON, who
ing his weaknesses. The nomination is
most judicious one, and ought to be crowned
with success. The other candidates upon the
ticket are worthy of cordial support. The Dis
trict Attorney, Mr.. Phelps, has twice been
elected, and has discharged his duties so hon.
estly and acceptably that his retention in office
cannot fail to be promotive of the cause of
justice. 1t would be a sorry thing to have the
administration of criminal law confided to an
is---------I-A "a Az i.a->~-A---l.-I-E
far the largest share of the subjects of its cor
| rective discipline.
So far as merit is concerned the odds are
largely in favor of the anti-Tammany list of
candidates. This, however, does not count for
much among such a mercurial and eccentric
population as ours. There ara 159 900 voters
registered and we have 140, 900 naturalized cit
izens. About three.quarters of all the votes
are cast by foreigners. Each party runs o ma.
tive for Mayor but Tammany has O preponder-
ance of the alien element The result all de-
penis upon the drift. If the dissffec.ion reaches
down among the Democratic masses Mr.. Kel-
ly's dynasty will be overthrown. The Tamma-
| ny leader has assumed bold front. He prom.
ises that the municipal patronage shall be ex-
clusivsly bestowed upon his adhereuts, II he
wins. There is good deal of it to be scram-
bled for this time, and the contest will be q
vigorous one.
The Republicans are working harmoniously
and energeticallY throughout the State, with
tn expectation of reclaiming three or four
Congressional Districts that were lost last
time, and of carrying the Assembly on which
the Senatorship hinges. The chances Of Levi
P. Morton's election in the city in place of
Willis are highly favorable, as he can hardly
fail to get good many votes from anti-Tsm-
many Democrats as well as the full Rspubli-
can strength. We have but one representative
from the city now, Mr.. McCook of the Eighth
who is opposed by Lawrence r. Jero ne, who Is
80 much of a wag that his candidacy may pos
sibly be taken as joke. The district is close
enough, however, to make 1t doubtful which
candidate will get a majority.
Take it altogether the canvass is an exciting
one and growing more so IS we are nearing
election day. The Republicans feel that they
must carry New York, to give them . reasona-
BILE assurance of securing the election of . Re-
publican President in $780, and the Democrats
understand equally well how vitality important
it is for them to escape defeat, II they can, in
this citadel of their strength. YARMOUTH.
News and Othar Ttoms