Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-29
SENATOR HILL HIS CHOICE.
II. p. Oicott Talks Politics from Business
ma osa Sfauanoint.


Frederick p. Olcott, ex-comptroller OF
the State. was one of Samuel J. Tllden's
Iieutenants. He has not taken any active
interest in politics for years, but has de-
voted himself TO financial and business
matters in this city. He is president OF the
Central Trust Company, the trustees or
which are Jacob ID. Vermilva. Samuel ID.
Babcock. Charles Lanier, John s. Kenne-
dy. Cornelius N. Bliss, ]. Pierpont Nor
gan. and Adrian Iselin, Jr.
MIR. Olcott was seen at his Office. No. 81
Wall street. by q Word reporter yester-
day, and asked If the businessmen of this
city were discussing national politics and
probable candidates for the presidency.
Business men are always interested In
questions of national Importance" Mr..
0lcott replied, land IN men who CON-
mand attention IN the world Of politics.
The extraordinary reception accorded TO
Governor Hill in Washington by the lead
ing public men CT both parties does not
surprise tine business community OF New
York, though the newspapers say so much
abort 1t. A man who for seven years has
beer the head of the great State of New
Yors has had plenty of time and immune
rable opportunities to impress himself
upon ali ITS foremost men in business,
manufactures. commerce and finance, as
well'as upon the political leaders.
They say everything gets into the
courts at last. and that old judges know
more of human nature and human affairs
than any other set Of men. For my part,
/ think that experienced Governors have
the most varied opportunities. Their In
tercourse with people is immense. There's
nothing like it. The other side of the
same fact is that all the leading men in
politics, business, law. finance, ETC.. size
up man like Governor Hill after he has
been few years at his work, and come to
general conclusion about him that psrti-
san politics never touches or shakes.
What a man Is makes its mark on such
men. and their opinion controls.
"Governor Hills conduct of the bust
ness and finances OF the State OF New York
involved an immense amount of work
through State officers and successive
Legislatures, which only q man of the FIRST
rank could carry through. But like Gov
ernor Tilden, his strong hand began to
tell from the beginning. After seven
wears of that kind of work are summed up,
in reduced debt. diminished taxes, and
efficient administration. oil people see
what it is to have q statesman at the head
of their Executive Government, then you
have popular outburst.
Has Governor Hill grown in the esti-
nation of the business community?
| business community of New York, con-
| trolling large interests. anxious to form o
sound Judgment about leading men,
| whatever party is IN power. long ago an
ticipated tins popular judgment OF to-day
about Governor Hill. and the trust and
| confidence they put IN him are as solid as
| their scrutiny and intercourse have been
| close end constant.
81 am not talking about politics, and
| the enthusiasm successful party leader
| STRAIGHTFORWARD and courageous, always
| inspires. That is different. am talking
| about the business community OF New
| York and their general sense that Cover.
| nor Hill is o safe, strong man.
This sort of confidence is OF very slow
| growth. There are q good many bard
heads and long heads here in New York.
/ Their eeven-year conclusions about this
| man. all the while under eharp scrutiny,
have been built up from the bottom DAY
| By day. Now they ssa other people com.
| ing to the same opinion.
Il don't know about politics; am
| talking about business men. Business.
men have no use for failures. They appre.
| ciate success. Financial institutions have
| no use for failures. In fact, the world oil
| large, as we'll as the business world, has nc
| faith in men who are failures. Success |.
| the standard OF today 7
Are you in favor of Governor Hills
nomination for President 2"
For the reasons have enumerated
| You can say that ] am and always have
been in favor Of Mr.. Hill tor President"