Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-24
FsPEcrAL TELEGRAM TO THE DrsPATcH.i

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE pIsPATcH.i
TRENTON, N. j., November 23.-The
trip that ex-senator William j. Sewell, Of
this State, took with President Harrison
last week when the latter went duck shoot
ing down in Maryland, has con-
frmed the report of Harrison's
affection for Sewell. Out of all his
political associates. the President selected
the Jerseyman to go off on quiet little ex-
cursion with him. There was railroad
man also In the party, it is true, but he was
only chance selection.
1t is conceded by those close both to
Sewell and the administration that the
President has made a boon companion and
confidential adviser of the ex-senator from
this small Commonwealth. The intimacy
began when both men were in the Senate. It
continued after both had left It became
frmer when the Indiana politician was
elected President, and it has grown into the
closest and most confident relations during
the months since Harrison became the occu-
pant of the White House.
Sewell goes to the White House much
more frequent than is GENERALLY known.
For awhile the Jerseyman's visits to WASH
ington were accorded no significance. It
was supposed he went merely to consult
about appointments for his State. That the
President had granted the ex-Jersey SEN
ator all his requests for appointments mas
been understood from the start, but it was
not supposed that the friendship extended
beyond local favors.
A CONFIDENTIAL ADVISER.
Last weeks trip, however, has brought
some interesting inside facts to light If
William Joyce Sewell is not Pythias to
u L l.
near filling that role. Sewell has been let
into all the secrets of the administration
since the Inauguration of the President.
He has been, so to speak, an ex-officio mem
ber of the Cabinet. 1t is believed he knew
of the important appointments before the
Cabinet did.
That he could have:gone into the Cabinet
had he chosen is the assertion OF those
posted on the subject. He has been, and is,
the father confessor of the administration.
Untold times has he received a mes
sage at his railroad Office in
Camden late in the afternoon.
A few hours later he was flying toward
Washington, which he reached about dawn.
Occasionally he went to hotel and break
tasted, but more often he went to restau-
rant, where he was unobserved and un-
known.
Before 10 o'clock he was closeted with
Harrison, and evening found him back in
Camden as though nothing had occurred.
Sewell has obtained ever thing he sought,
and he has sought things that were not
credited to him. For instance, the naming
of William Walter Phelps as Minister to
Germany was not deemed pleasing to the
Jersey Senator, owing to the antagonism
known to exist between the men. As q
matter of fact
SEwELL SECRETLY URGED
the selection. He wanted the brilliant
Congressman out of the way. He blocked
his progress once in a while in controlling
the politics of this State. Since William
Walter went abroad the other William has
had things all his own way. Probably,
however, the Minister to Germany did not
begrudge his rival when the result of the re-
cent election over here in Jersey was an
nounced.
WHY should Harrison pick out Sewell
among all the men in the nation? What is
there about the Jerseyman that makes him
the object of esteem from the Chief Magis-
trate? Both men are alike in
many respects, to begin with.
Each is dignifed and reserved
in manner. They look serious and solemn
on all occasions, although in Sewel, at least,
there is good deal of latent humor. Both
are fond of good living in quiet way.
While Sewell makes no pretensions, he is
really aconnoisseur of merit. This accounts
for the social links that bind the men to-
gether.
When it comes to intellectual ability and
political sagacity, Sewel certsinly gives
great deal more than he gets. It is un-
questionably because the President saw how
able his friend was that he con-
cluded to make more than q social
companion of him. Ex-senator Sewell
does not impress one as a man of big brain.
You are only impressed when you meet him
by his dignity, and possibly certain degree
of pomposity. But when you have learned
his record and watch his movements in
BUSINESS AND POLITICS,
Won discover his cIeverness and shrewd-
ness. He is natural politician. As the
leader of the Republican party in New
Jersey, he has broken down all obstacles
and reigns supreme. He never compromises,
but always conquers. He does the best he
can with a folorn hope. He might be
more popular were 1t not for his
railroad connections, but he could not
be more powerful. He is almost as reticent
as General Grant was. He talks very little,
but he listens great deal He is exceed
ingly receptive. He hears all there is to be
heard, and remembers every bit of it. He
always makes his enemies uncomfortable,
and is an aggressive and persistent opponent.
He stands forever true to his friends.
Do him good turn and he keeps you in
mind to return it. There are few politicians
who retain their friends as Sewell does. He
believes in diplomacy in order to accom-
plish his purpose, but prefers free field
and no favors. He rarely proffers advice,
but when he does tender il, you can count
on its value.
There are some things Benjamin Harrison
has done that bear Sewell's imprint. There
are other actions that the Jerseyman never
advised. Sewell believes in strengthening
ones position rather than his party. He be-
lieves in keeping
THE MAIN CHANCE
in view. Harrison has done this repeated
lv. But Sewell never advises revolution or
the defiance of public opinion. He is ex-
tremely conservative so long as conversation
will win. He would rather be the lever that
moves the world than be the world itself
He likes to use agents, whenever it is pos
sible. But Sewell never hesitates to strike
a bold and telling blow when blows become
necessary. He knows just when to step
over the line that divides conservatism and
radicalism.
This is the sort of man President Harrison
seems to have adopted as close and conf
Dental companion.
W. WN.-I n,oxvn.AN