The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-22
BIGGEST NAN In A BIG TOWN
Mayor Hewitt Does as He Pleases, and
Many Are Pleased with His Doings,
clans Nor Political Bosses-His Popularity
with His Workmen and the People.

most independent man who ever occupied the
Mayors chair. He cares more for the poll
ticians who nominated him than he does for the
mummies in dime museum. He does just ss
he pleases. He walks over the political bosses
every hour in the day, and upsets every plan
that the ward leaders make. He dislikes pro-
fessional politicians In fact, he hates them.
He has use for them. He knows low to
snub them, and he plainly tells them that he
does not want to see them. On the other hand,
he is on the best of terms with the publics He
likes to have men. women and even children, with
grievances come directly to him. He listens pa
tently to every complaint no matter how trivial
and the proper person IN authority is at
once notified that the offender must be pun
isned. He is an omnivorous reader of news
papers. Thus he keeps himself we'll posted on
all that is going on in the big city which he
is the chief magistrate. He seems to regard
himself as father, with all the people of the
city of New York as his children. In many
ways he is far from popular. He has none of
the elements which make some politicians de-
lightful in personal way. / say politician. but
Mr.. Hewitt is not politician. He is states
man in every sense of the term. He is always
on the reform side. He never does anything
mean. He does not know how to be small.
He does not know any tricks of the
ward politician. He never made a deal
in his life. He is hasty in forming opinions
on topics that happen to be uppermost in the
public mind. and he is not backward in express
ing vhese opinions, and he clings to them until
he finds that he is wrong, and then he is quick
to make amends. AS result he is in q maze OF
misunderstanding all the time, and bis political
enemies are never at loss to find Vulnerable
spot to attack. This is how he happens to be
accused of having two opinions While in Con-
gress he in the habit Of getting into diff
culties right and left. Everybody remembers
the tangle be got himself into when he had to do
with the electoral commission. 1t was SO. too,
when the famous Morey letter was made public.
It never once occurred to him that the letter
might be a forgery, and he compromised the ma
tional Democratic committee in a serious way.
Itwas an unfortunate episode IN aparticularly
bright life.
Mr. Hewitt is exceedingly nervous. He is
troubled with insomnia, and often during ses-
sion of Congress he had to steal away from
Washington to this city for nights rest His
appetite leaves him and he is as fretty as q
spoiled child. 1t was predicted that when he
became Mayor he would lie awake every night
Of his official life. 1t was thought that his nat
ure was too sensitive to stand the opportunities
of office-seekers, but his career as Mayor of New
York has been very successful. and some of his
intimate friends believe that presidential light
ming is playing about his head.
In appearance Mr.. Hewitt is thin and wiry.
HIS sixty years of age show plainly on his face
and figure. He looks like student He has
high forehead. and thin gray hair and beard.
His shoulders stopped from close application
to study at night during his early years. He is
not strong physically, but he is possessed OF
wonderful vitality. Since assuming the
duties Of his important Office, in
January, year ago, he has worked
raore radical changes ia the government Of this
city Than any who has occupied the
Mayors chair. His colleagues in Congress pre-
dicted that he would be easily led by politicians,
and his administration wonld be far from eco
nomical The reverse is true He has saved
more money to the city of New York than any
of his predecessors. He has delightful way of
stirring up officials of the departments and
holding them to strict accountability for any
negligence of the men under them that the pub
lie relishes. He has had the disposal of more
patronage than the Governor of any State in the
Union, and to his credit it must be said that he
has put only good men on guard.
The impression has gone forth that the Mayor
of New York is absolute in the appointment or
dismissal of officers, heads of departments and
other city officials. This is not true The
Mayor may appoint and he may remove officials.
but only after charges have been preferred. and
the case reviewed and decided by the Governor
of the State. OF course there are few minor
Offices that he may fill as he pleases.
Besides being Mayor OF New York, Mr.. Hewitt
is a successful business man. although he
thirty years of age before he entered commercial
life. He came fresh from the country, where
he attended the district school, and entered the
public schools here His proficiency in mathe-
mates won for him a scholarship in Columbia,
and few years later he graduated at the head
of his class He was rated as the best mathe-
matician Of the college. and so well was he liked
by the faculty that year after his graduation
he was made professor of mathematics This
put him his feet Like all boys from the
professorship brought him his frst money.
While In Columbia College Hewitt made the ac-
quaintance of a young man a few years his
Junior, and that friendship brought about q
curious change in the country lads career.
The young was Edward Cooper. Of
Peter Cooper, of glorious memory. Peter Coop
a shrewd business man. He had saved his
money until he was worth million, and that
sum sounded great deal larger in those days
than it does now, when big fortunes are SO plen-
tiful Young Cooper was an only son. His
father wanted him to have frst-class educa-
ton, for it his intention that he should sue
ceed him in his public works in his business and
in his efforts to give New York good government
The young professor was often at the house of
his friends father. and the old man formed
warm friendship for the struggling youth. One
day Mr.. Cooper surprised them both by saying
that he bad determined to send his son abroad
to finish his education, and offered to employ
accepted This was about thirty-seven years
ago. Very few young men had made
the grand tour of Europe. 1t was a
long voyage across the Atlantic, and there
much to be seen then that has since become
hackneyed by reason of the progress of steam
and the printing press and electricity. The trip
abroad was uneventful, but when 10 mid-oeean
on the way homo terrific storm arose. Great
waves broke over the ship. Two days of rough
weather weakened the vessel SO much that those
on board took to the life-boats. It was here that
Hewitt showed his undying devotion for his pu-
pill He refused to leave the sinking ship until
Cooper was safe in the life-boat and then he
watched over him during those trying days and
nights until the party was rescued by passing
vessel Everybody praised his courage When
the ship reached port, and old Peter Cooper was
told of Hewitt's action, he was SO well pleased
that he offered hira handsome sum OF money
in acknowledgment OF his appreciation Hewitt
declined this but accepted a clerkship in Peter
Cooper's iron-works
This is how he began his career in commerce.
It lucky Shipwreck for Hewitt. Peter
Cooper was charmed with him. Young Cooper
made him his most intimate friend and constant
companion. He spent a great deal OF his time
at The Cooper mansion. Well. it the old
story. Young Cooper had pretty sister. She.
too, admired Hewitt. They soon fell in love
and were married. Ten years later Peter
Cooper retired from business, worth from six to
eight million dollars He gave his iron business
to his son and his son-in-law. They derived al
income of $500, 900 year from this, and SO sue
cessful have they been that the profits have
sinca faoted No. oh sl00 00A each Hayx-