The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-10-27

pled nigh public positions III This coun-
try. One of them was Caleb Strong. q
States and also Governor Of Massachu-
sets. Another was Stephen HOPKINS.
Chief Justice and Governor of Rhode
Island and one of the slgners of the Dec
laration Of Independence.
Mr.. Hudspeth, with his mother, came
to the United States shortly after the
death OF DIR. Benson He was then mere
boy. Although offered an education and
profession IL he would remain with his
uncle, he concluded that his mother and
sisters, of whom he has two. now both
married, required his attention and assist
ance. He refused the offer of an educa-
tion and an ultimate established social
persuaded his mother to come to the
States, where he was determined to live
and hew out q position for himself,
earned by his own efforts.
HIS EARLY STRUGGLES.
From the time he arrived here, mere
idle or unemployed. His first position
was as a cash boy in Lake & McCreary's
dry goods store in New York. From
there he went to A. L. Stewards, at
Broadway and Chambers street. as a
stock boy. He then thought he could do
better West. where he had some friends
who promised him good position In
his mother accompanying him, and set
tied In that beautiful and prosperous
town. There he obtained
position In large general hat,
fur, boot and shoe establishment
carried on by one George r. Smith. He
remained there few years. during which
time he acquired full knowledge Of the
business aud gained such a reputation as
salesman that the majority Of the GUS
toners OF the establishment used to pre-
fer trading with 'sthe little black-eyed
salesman" as he was called by them.
Finally family matters required his pres
ence In Canada, and he was forced to
give up this position, although offered
fatterfng inducements by his employer to
remain. After remaining in Canada for
year, during which TIM he took up his
course of studies again. at the earnest
solicitation of some of his friends, he re-
moved to New York. and locking about
Greenville, whore he settled with his
mother and sisters. That was seventeen
years ago, when Greenville was only a
township Thomas Carey was then q
prominent lawyer In New York, and also
resided In Greenvilie. He took a great
fancy to Bob" Hudspeth and offered
him q place in his New York office.
as he did not want to go into a
law office and waste there valuable
time that could be employed in fitting
him for some other business which he
might choose. But finally, at the earnest
request of his mother, and not unwilling
ly, as many times he had wished he
might follow the profession OF his father
and the one that his uncle wished him to
adopt, he accepted Mr.. Carey's offer and
went into his office. laboring hard and
diligently to master the details of office
work, and at night applying himself TO an
requirement. of some knowledge OK the
law. From Office boy he became manag-
New York bar he became partner of his
preceptor.
LAUNCHING OUT FOR HIMSELF.
This arraugement lasted only about a
year. He determined to launch out on
his own responsibility He has often
said that the day he left the Office Of his
preceptor and, partner was was the the
ever fallen to- his lot: With q
desk and a copy of the New York code.
young Hudspeth started out 70 build up
by his own exertions, law practice. and
after many hardships and disappoint-
ments finally succeeded In establishing a
large and lucrative business in New
YORK, the firm now being 'Hudspeth &
Collier" located in an Office in the same
building in which he started out for him
SELF
It was while he was with Mr.. Carey
that he obtained his first experience in
political life. Mr.. Carey always TOOK an
active interest in politics in the Bavonne
and tireenville sections, and as young
Hudsperh constantly came in contact
with active workers In the party, bis voice
was frequently heard at public meetings
held in that section In local political con-
tests.
In 1875 Mr.. Carey was nominated for
A txv hxyf I'm hio ais
trict, and young Hudspeth undertook the
entire management of his campaign.
working necessarily day and night to as
sure Mr.. Carey's election. He was sue
cessful.
At the fall election of 1885 the Demo-
cratic party had nominated one Anthony
Bright, of Bergen Point. as its candidate
for the Assembly. John w. Heck was
the Republican nominee. Mr.. Heck had
represented the district the previous year
and had secured denomination. 1t was
conceded on all sides, the district being
naturally Republican and Mr.. Heck
being a strong candidate. that his cleo
Friday preceding the election, was found
not qualified as u candidate, not having
lived in the State the length of time re-
quired by law. A committee duly author
ized was despatched to seek new candi-
date.
NOMINATED FOR ASSEMBLY.
After falling to persuade several prom
inenl gentlemen to allow their names to
go on the ticket, the committee ap-
preached Hudspeth and explained their
dilem ma and begged him for the party's
sake to allow his name to be put upon
the ticket. This he at first refused to do.
but upon being pressed to consider it un-
til the next day,he consented to do so. On
the following day the committee again
called, and after much persuasion, Mr..
Hudspeth finally consented to allow his
name to be used. He declared to the COM
mittee, however. that he did not intend
to be a mere fgurehead on the ticket,
but intended making a fight to win.
From the time of his acceptance Satur-
day afternoon until the close of the polls
on the Tuesday following, ne, in common
parlance, lust hustled" and when the
votes were counted. to the surprise Of
everyone Mr. Hudspeth was elected by a
majority of sixty-seven. His victory on
this occasion, and under such circum-
stances. was one of the greatest political
surprises that ever occurred in the State.
While in the Assembly Mr.. Hudspeth b
made some notable fights in the interests
OF Jersey City that are yet fresh in the
minds of the people throughout the
State. Ii was he who introduced a bill
authorizing the construction of bridge
across the Washington street gap, and he
made the plucktest fight ever made in the
Legislature for this popular measure.
The money of his opponent. however, de-
feated the passage of the bill.
He was also one of the chief oppon-
ents of the Pennsylvania Railway Com