Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-07-04


In half an hour alter the Conimiss-
ion OF the Republican collector at the
port Of New York had expired Dem
ocrat had been appointed in his place
The appointment came nearly three
days before il was expected. and crea-
ted considerable surprise in political
circles here. The qtt;d nuncs and po-
liticians have now had time to pull
themselves together, and stare at the
situation. and their comments are as
diverse AS their political biases The
Republicans take William Walter
Phelps view OF the selection, and say it
il good Tor the country but bad for the
Democratic party. They are unable
to see how much wiser politician
President Cleveland is than was Presi-
dent Garfield, when he created n
schis:n in his party by appointing Mr..
Robertson to this Office four years ago.
The manner of man Mr.. Heddcn the
new Collector ia, cannot be better sta
ted than by quoting from the letters
of those who most intimately know
him. In letter to the President,
Bates, Reed and Cooley prominent
New York merchants said !: @We
take pleasure in testifying to the ex-
ceilent business qualities, integrity of
character, and high commercial stand
ing Of Mr.. Hedden among the bust
ness men OF dis city, and to say that
we are sure his appointment as Col
lector OF the Port viii give great salts
faction to the best business interests
OF the city. We believe Mr.. Hedden
to be thoroughly competent in every
direction, man of thorough. going
system ard order in the dispatch OF
business. and gentleman who win
do honor to the appointment if he is
so fortunate as TO receive this favor ut
your hands" fey
Daniel Drake Smith one of the Oldest
merchants in New York wrote, "His
father lawyer. studied in the Office of
Alexander Hamilton, and filed an
honorable and distinguished civic
Office in this city more than half =
century ago, and was a representative
Of the city on the opening OF the Erie
canal / do not hesitate to say that
from personal knowledge of Collec-
tors of this port since 1882, but one
incumbent was as well and not sim
gle one better qualified, in my opin-
ion to fill the place than is Mr.. He'd
den. Mr.. Hedden has always acted
with the Democratic party"
Mr. Edwin II. Livermore, throws this
light ON Mr.. Hedden's political faith,
and other characteristics @He is an
unassnming man. genuine New
Yorker, thorough Democrat through
all the time have known him, calmly
waiting for return to constitutional
principles OF government. He has
been respected and admired by those
even in authority who differed with
him politically. His expert testimony
has always been sought and approved
in mercantile appraisment, and other
Custom House matters There are
few merchants better qualified by
taste and education than he for the |
Office"
Gen. John b. Woodward's letter |
adds shis: aMr. Hedden was born in
this city in 1928, and entered the en-
ploy of Wetmore, Cryder & Co, in
lS47. He was employed at once to
attend to their Custom House work
and had general supervision thereof
during the whole of his business
career. The firm never employed
Custom House brokers, owing to his
thorough acquaintance with the requi-
site details. He became partner
with the house in May 1859, the style
of the firm being changed to Wet
more, Cryder & Co, and was practi-
eally the managing partner OF the
house from then until the dissolution
of partnership in December 1884"
Mr.. Hedden is not afraid of the
Office as may be inferred from re-
mark made on Saturday, he said, IL
am thoroughly familiar with every
department of the Custom House. and
know the duties o. every man IN it,
from the entry clerk to the Collector.
l am no politician and although my
spmpathies are with the county demo-
Gratis, go into Office unpledged, and
unbiased No man and no body OF
men will find it possible to rule me-
Washington, June Both 1885.