The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-07-03

From our regular Correspond snt.


WARRINGTON, June 30. 1885.
In half an hour after the Commission
of the Republican collector at the port
of New York had expired a Democrat
had been appointed in his place. The
appoiutment came nearly three days be-
fore IL was expected. and created con-
siderable surprise in political circles
here The qIIid names and politicians
have row had tine to pull themselves
together. and stare at the situation and
their comments are as diverse as their
political biases. The Republicans take
a William Walter Phelps view of the
selection, and say it is good for the
country, but bad for the Democratic
party They are unable to see how
much wiser politician President Cleve-
| land is than was President Garfield.
when he created a schism in his party
by appointing MI. Robertson to this
same Office four years age.
The manner of man Mr.. Hedden the
new Collector is cannot be better stated
than by quoting from the letters of
those who most intimately know lin.
In a letter TO the President, Bates.
Reed and Cooley prominent New
York merchants said: I'VE take pleas
ure in testifying to the excellent bust
ness qualities, integrity of character,
and high commercial standing OF Mr..
Hedden among the business men of this
city. aud to say that we are sure his ap-
pointment as Collector of the Port will
give great satisfaction to the best busi-
ness interests of the city. We believe
Mr.. Hedden to be thoroughly compe-
tent in every direction, a man of the
thorough going system, and order in
the despatch of business, and gentle
man who will do honor to the appoint
ment if he is so fortunate az ID receive
this favor at your hands.
Daniel Drake Smith one of the old
est merchants in New York wrote,
His father a lawyer, studied in the
office OF Alexander Hamilton, and filed
an honorable, and dlsting uished civic
office in this city more than half CEN
tuTy ago, and was a representative o.
the city on the opening of the Erie
canal. l do not hesitate to say that
fIom personal knowledge of Collectors
and not single one better qualified, in
my opinion to fill the place than is Mr..
Hedden. Mr.. Hedden has always acted
with the Demo .ratic party"
Mr.. Edwin r. LiveTmore, throws
this light on Mt Hedden's political
faith, and other characteristics: HE
is AN Hnassuming man, a genuine New
Yorker. a thorough Democrat through
all the time l have known him, calmly
waiting for return to constitutional
principles of government. He has been
respected and admired 10y those even in
authority who differed with him po-
| litically. His expert testimony has al
ways been sought and approved in mer-
1 camille appraisement. and other Gust ON
/ House matters. There. are few mer.
chants better qualified by taste and ed
ucation than he for the Office
Gen. John B. Woodward's letter add:
/ this: Mr.. Hedden was born in thi;
! city, and entered the employ of Wet
more, Cryder & Co., in 1847 He was
employed at once to attend to their Gus
! tom House work, and had general su
/ perv:sion thereof during the whole ot
his business career. The firm never
employed Custom House brokers owing
| 20 his thorough acquaintance with The
requisite details. He became partnei
with the house in May 1859, the style o.
The firm beng changed to Wetmore-
CrydeT Il Co., and was practically the
managing partner OF the house from
then until the dissolution of the part
| DerShip in December 1884. -"
Mr.. Hedden is not afraid of the Office
as may be inferred from a remark
made on Saturday, he said, Il an
thoroughly familiar with every depart
ment of the Custom House. and know
the duties of every man in it, from tn,
eutry clerk 10 the Collector. | am NJ
politician and although my svmpal hiei
are with the county Democrats. q
into the Office unpledged and unbiased
/ No man and no body of men viii find i
possible to Iule me.'' X