The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-22

plants. They never strike. They are per-
fectly satisfied. In Trenton. n. j.. 800 of them
own their own houses, and most of them have
little money In the bank Hewitt is regarded as
an expert in iron and steel In 1867 he was one
of the scientific commissioners who represented
this government at the French Exposition
Universelle. His report on the iron and steel
industry of the werld was ordered printed by
Congress, and it has been translated into many
languages.
While busy in his mill. Hewitt did not forget
his studies. He is one of the best educated mon
In this country. His library is of great value
His ripe scholarship, his nasterly way of ar
ranging facts. his study of educational affairs,
and particularly the tariff question, have given
him reputation from one end of the country to
the other. He is a delightful conversationaiist
and takes great pleasure In the society OF men
of learning.
asked the Mayor once how il was that he
was able to perform so much work in the course
of the day. He replied that his life was very
simple and that he works very systematically.
He rise about 8 o'clock and makes q breAkfast
eggs. toast milk and perhaps a cup or coffee,
with some fruit. After this he goes directly to
and large personal mail He jots down IN
memorandum book all the complaints that are
sent by mail to his house, and notes carefully
all severe criticisms that are made by the news
papers or citizens about the conduct of the Vs.
rious city departments. At 1880 he starts for
his Office. He goes down town like ordinary
people, elevated railroad train The gate.
man at his station, after Mr.. Hewitt was elected
Mayor. lifted his hat courteously as he bade
him good morning. For two days Mr. Hewitt
stood this. The third day he approached him
and said: 'tNow. my friend, there is no Eeces-
sity of raising your hat to me when both hands
are engaged in work far more important" 1t is
needless to say that the man now keeps ms head
covered. Mr.. Hewitt walks across the City Hall
PARK and goes up the principal steps leading to
the dney rooms of the Mayors Office instead of
by the private stairway that other Mayors used.
Il am part of the public myself" he said once,
land there is no reason why should 90 to my
Office through q private stairway"
AS he walks through the City Hall corridor
the political strikers keep a respectable dis
tance If the Mayor meets public official or
reporter whom he knows. he will bow politely,
but he never stops to speak.
There cranks without number who come
to offer suggestions and ask for appointments.
The afternoon is taken up by the meeting of Of
fcers of the various boards, OF which the Mayor
is ex oficio member. Mr. Hewitt takes no
lunch in the middle of the day. He devotes all
his time to the citys welfare. While attending
q meeting of very important board one day this
week he was interrupted by woman who held
by the hand rather tough-looking specimen OF
boy. The object of the woman's call on the
Mayor was to impart to him the fact that she
could not do anything with the boy. He would
not work or go to school, and he had almost
broken his mothers heart. She had come to
the Mayor for advice. Mr. Hewitt dropped ev-
erything. He bade the woman be seated. He
took the boy by both hands and drew him to
him. He spoke kindly to him. His eyes beamed
on the lad, as in friendly way he showed him
his wrong and pleaded with him to try and
touched. The Mayor was SO earnest and father
ly that his advice seemed to have a good effect
The woman was moved to tears The boy looked
less stubborn, and the Mayor shook him
warmly by the hand in bidding him good bye
he said: MAKE a man of yourself. Go to work
BE honest. Try to be somebody. Study hard,
and if You want friend come to me and will
help you"
There were at least a score of visitors, who
came on all sorts of errands, but they were
wa uothinC ton trivial for him
who had come to town to see the sights, and had
bought dollar silver watch for $50 in hard
cash. wanted the Mayor to have the man who
sold him the watch arrested He left the tin
watch and his name as evidence of good faith,
and the Mayor sent a note to the nearest police
captain to be on the alert for the scoundrel.
This only goes to show what said at the be-
ginning, that the Mayor is on good terms with
the public and believes himself to be responsible
for all the officials in the CITY,
Most officials leave their Office about or
o'clock in the afternoon. Mr.. Hewitt does not;
he remain e..Snn,o tins~ II Is ocieek
before he feels at liberty to go home. He never
puts off till tomorrow what he can do to-day.
He is as willing to spend moment with q crank
with the biggest man in town. He will take
asuegestion from anybody He has run his
office in his own way, and everybody, Democrats
and Republicans. unite in saying that he has
been a good Mayor. He has eradicated a great
many evils, closed up scores of dives and pest
holes and purified the city in a number of ways.
Mr.. Hewitt goes directly to his home after
leaving his Office. He has one Of the finest resi-
Q0nCeS In THIS CITY, 1E le situated on Lexington
avenue, within stone-throw of Gramercy
Park. It is fitted up as becomes the home of q
man of wealth and culture. Rare paintings,
statuary. etchings and engravines adorn the
a great deal of money. The drawing-rooms and
parlors are luxuriantly furnished; for. although
not in any sense society man himself. his wife.
daughters and sons belong 20 the aristocratic
social circles in New York Mr.. Hew,tt's family
entertains on a very. large scale. Their
dinner parties, balls and receptions
when their big house is lighted up there are not
many residences in New York that surpass it
Mr. Hewitt has also country residence IN Now
Jersey, where he entertains deliberately. His
daughters are famous for their beauty and their
courage in the hunting field. One of them is
dashing horseback rider, and the other an ex-
young men of fashion, and athletes, as the men
of to-day go. MIR. Hewitt has this winter taken
up giving as we'll as going out to dinner parties
His wit is sharp and caustic. He cares nothing
for the banquet itself for he is moderate eater;
but he likes the clash of wit. sarcasm and re-
partee after the coffee and cigars More than
once this winter he has crossed swords with the
finest after-dnner speaker in this country,
Chauncey NJ Depew, and the honors are about
evenly divided.
He listens with attention to all that his op-
ponents have to say about the conduct of city
affairs and If he thinks the criticism just, the
next day writes letter to the department COM
planned of, and rebukes the officials severely.
He does not mince words. His blows are those
of giant. He hits squarely from the shoulder
Some of Mr.. Hewitt's friends believe he will be
nominated for the presidency. Others think
this too wild dream, and say that he may be
chosen to succeed Hill as Governor His wishes
in the matter are said to be TO return to Con-
gress. He is one of the few men in this country
who thoroughly understand every detail of the
tariff problem, and his counsel Will be of great
value to the leaders of the Democratic party on
the floor OF the House FOSTER COATES.
NATURES UNERRING LINES.