New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-16
A TALK WITH EX-JUDGE HILTON.

TALK WITH EX-JUDGE HILTON.
TIRED OF ACTIVE BUsINEss-RIDIcULoUs STATE
MENrs CORRECTED - Mr.. STEWARDS POLICY
ADHERED TO-
The retirement had been preceded from time 10
time by r1imors that the firm were about TO sell out
and for months there has been very general im-
preston in the trade that this only question
of time. At the store of the firm yesterday thero
were the usual hustle and activity in all de-
partments Saturday is always busy day
and the presence of few hundreds Of addi-
tional customers, more or less would
not materially add to the discomfort of getting iutf
the front of the crowd that lined the miles of
ters. 1t was stated by several employees that their
first knowledge of the change was obtained from
the morning papers. While they had received no
official notice of any kind to what length of time
their services would be required it was not unnatu-
raj that the proposed retirement from business OF
the firm that gave them employment should be the
one topic of conversation. The movements OF ex-
Judge Hilton and William Libby, the partners.
and of all others high in authority, were watched
with greater interest then usual, not unmingled
with some nervousness and anxiety on the part Of
the clerks.
During the earlier part of the day ex-Judge Hill
ton was busily engaged with business affairs. by
appointment later TRIBUNE reporter him and
found him looking rather tired and worn, but in
cllned to be jovia and to tell little stories rather
than to give definite and precise information any
point.
"Why did the finn OF A. T. Stewart & Co. decide
70 retire from business ~ was the first question
asked
"When | was practising law" said the
Judge, " 1 remember q which was being tried
by John Van Buren, before Judge DEMO. After
boherng with it for some time the Judge finally
dismissed it for lack of evidence, and with soma
disgust asked Van Buren what he meant by bring
ing such a case into court There was plenty OF
evidence for my client, said Van Buren,, but got
tired That's all have TO say on that point-l got
tired and want rest. The statement in some Of
the papers this morning that we were influenced 10
take thls action OIL account of bad business is simply
absurd They also pretended to give figures which
ab, olutey ridiculous. II Mr.. Stewards policy.
and it has been the policy Of the house since, never
to make known its figures. VIII ever gave the fig
urcs hich published absolutely wrong
in every particular"
"Do you care to correct any of these absurd blum
dersiD ~
NO. When am ready TO DO anything then l
say what have to say. These figures are my busi-
ness. and not the business of the public. We
never ask any favors of the press and they havo
generally been fair with u.s. As a rule when we
much line, as we did in this instance, and what
ever we do say is as true as Gospel
NO CHANGE OF POLICY MADE.
at has been stated Judge. that you have made
radical chang in the policy Of the firm since you
have been at its head.'
That another absurd msstatement tins
morning where it was asserted that boasted that
could bun I'D up bigger business than Mr. Stewart.
never boast of what am going TO do The policy
Of the firm is tie same as 1t was when Mr. stewart
was alive and have never deviatci from it. Mr..
Stewart and | were like brothers, and when went
into business with him thirty years he gave mo
half the work to do-perhaps the larger half These
stories of my making any changes are all false. hut
lave never cared to take the trouble TO
correct thrm although have sometimes written
personal letter 10 the editor after some particularly
annoying bundcr."
"Is it true that tie firm Of A. I. Stewart & co.
have recently had their paper discounted for
large amOuntV "
81 have never given rote in my life. The fnn
has never had its paper discounted I'd like To
n bank that SAYS we owe it a dollar and will pay
handsome rewald to any one who will produce
a piece of paper made by A. I. Stewart Il Co We
have always had money enough to carry on bnsi-
ness and we have money enough now. The old
firm which has stood for sixty years will not strike
spot or stain OF dshonOr on it and lay { away"
cit has been asscr cd that Mr. Libby aud your
self have not always Oeen in accord TO the policy
pursued" suggested the reporter.
THAT is false We had no difference of 'pinon
MS TO the estab ishmcnt of the Chicago branch. and
in everything that has Deen done we have been en-
tirely harmonious. In the twenty years that Mr..
Libby and myself have been in business together it
is a singular fact that a, close and intimate as our
relations have been we have never had diff rcrce
OF disagreement, or so much as one unpleasant
word"
Does the retirement Of the firm meet his ap-
proyalp
Entirely so | am tired, and suppose he is
tired. too. We both thought 1t would be better in
every way to close up the business while we had
the health and strength give our personal atten.
ton to it than it would be to leave It ill such tine
that il could only b. accomplished III unsatisfac-
tory manner and at great sacrifice"
How long since you decided to close out the
buSlnessp
"Qute recently
can you express an opinion to how long it
will require 10 close out the business
Il never predict"
"WIil you continue selling you are now doing,
or will you close out your stock in bulk =
1T is not fully settled yet, but If you want
to know how we shall probably close ont
You would better go belnd that counter"
pointing TO an astonishing array OF para
sos. The reporter did not accept tho
offer to sell out the stock of A. /. Stewart n Co..
bu he asked ii they contemplated selling out tho
entire ock to any one firm or company. That re-
minded the Judge OF another little story.
"Once there was IA woman IN the country VINO
had farm to sell and she put up sign.
For sail. man driving by asked
| her when her farm would sail. When