Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1885-07-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON June 30th, 1885

SION OF the Republlcan collector ut
the port o: New York hal expired a
Democrat had been appointed in bis
place. The appointment came near
ly three days before it was expected
and created considerable surprise
IN political circles here. The quiI
nuns and politicians have now had
time to pull themselves together. and
stare ut the situation, and their COM
ments are as diverse as the'r pOlit
CPL biases. The Republicans take a
Wi"iam 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 a politician
President Cleveland is than was
President Garfield, when he created
a schism in his party by appointing
Nv. Robel .son to this same office
four years ago.
Tue manner of man Mr. Hedden
the new Collector is cannot he better
stated than by quoting from the let
ter to the President, Bates, Reed and
Cooley prominent New York mer-
chants said: I'VE take pleasure III
testifyins to the excellent business
qua' ties, integrity of cha 'acter, and
hirh commerci;' stand ng of Nv.
Hedden among the business men of
this city, and to say that we are sure
his appointment as Collector Of the
Port W give :rcat satisfaction 10
the best business interests Of the
city. We believe W.. Hedden to be
thoroughly competent i'll every direc-
ton, MAJ of thorouoh-goin9 sys-
TEN. and order in the dispatch of
business, aud "a gentleman who will
do honor to the appointment if he is
SO fortunate rs to receive this favor
at YOU hands.
D.,liel Drake Smith one of the old
est merchants in New York wrote,
His father a LAWYER, studied in the
Office of A'exan ria Hamilton, and
fled an honorable and distinguished
civic office ia this city more than
half a century ago, and was a repre-
sentative of the city on the opening
of the Erie caua'. do not hesitate
to say that from personal knowledge
of c." "ectOrs of this poli since 1882,
but one incumbent was as well and
not a single one better qualified, in
nv opinion to fill the place than is
NJ. Hedden. Mr. Hedden has al
ways acted with the Democratic
party
Mr.. Edwin II. Livermors, throws
this Light on::Mr. Hedden's political
faith, and other characteristics:
ale is an unassuming man, a genu-
inc New Yorker, a thorough Demo-
crat through a' the time have
luown him, ca'my waiting for a re-
turn to constitutional principles of
government. He has been respected
aud admired by those even in author
ity who differed with him politically.
His expert testimony has always been
sought aud approvedi1 merchanti'e
appraisment. and other Custom
House matters. There are few mer
ciiants better qualified by taste and
educatiOn than he for the Office"
Gen. John B. Woodwerds letter
adds this: "Mr. Hedden was bora
in this city in 1928, aud entered the
employ of WetmOre, Cryder 4 Co,
in i848. He was employed at once TO
attend to their Custom House work,
and had general supervision thereof
du ,ng tie whole Of his business Ca
reer. The firm never employed Gus
tom House brokers, OWING to his
thorough acquai ntauce wa 'he
requisite details. He became
partner with the house in Nav 1859,
the style of the firm being changed
to Weimore- Cryder e. Co. and wss
practically the name :. 1g pa'f ,er OF
the house from taen until the dissO-
luton of the partnership IN Dscem-
ber 1884"
Nr. Hedden is not afr.,id Of the
Office as may be inse. ced ON a -e-
mark made on Satu day, lie Sd,
II am thoroughly familiarw, h every
department of the Custom House
and Fuow he duties of every man in
it, fcOm ihe entry Gle * to the Col
lestor 1 am no politician and al
thou n my sympathies are with the
county democrats, 1 go into the Of
flee uapledSed, and unbiased. No
1 A.