Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-01-21

" ~ NE3$i er calls his idol. Sen
~ ator David B. Hill, Of
New York, has not
DAVID b. HILL. been lost in the
crowd. In fact, be is as much in evil
dence down here as new Senator can
well be. He proposes 70 keep himself
az front even II his seat Is in the rear
row. His determination 20 be seen OF
ali men Is rather apparent, but. never
tneleSS, he is pretty sure 70 get the at
tentiOn he seeks. He has taken partic-
ular pains not only to make dramatic
appearances in the Senate and the
House, but 70 make as many acquaint-
ances among the Democrats OF both
Houses as opportunity will permit.
10 IS quite true that he has missed the
Shapiain'S prayer every day that the
Senate has been in session, but that has
been because he was diligently engaged
In making friends ia the Democratic
cloak room; and ne has missed no chance
or making friends elsewhere. He treats
himself and he expects himself to be
treated as a Presidential candidate. He
IS always In the attitude Of holding a
reception. This, Of course, invites call
erS, and so, when he gets into group
OF Democrats anywhere they all, or al
most all, feel like shaking hands with
him.
SUCCESS WINS POPULARITY.
or course, the coup d'etat, with which
he wound up his official career in Al
bany has good deal TO do with his
present popularity. A large proportion
of the politicians OF both parties admire
success in a thing OF that sort even II
they would not undertake it themselves
through fears or scruples, and they
. shake hands, therefore, very willingly
with the man who achieved II.
10 does not follow, necessarily, as you
may imagine without my telling you,
that everybody who shakes hands with
Senator Hill IS prepared to vote for his
nomination for the Presidency ia the
next National Convention. Undoubted-
ly large number Of the hand-shakers
are enthusiastic Hill devOteeS, but su-
other large number simply regard him
as a picturesque politician who does
things which other men could not or
would not do.
Hand-shaking is such a common cOur-
tesy, especially IN Washington, that If
10 Is not a MEANINGLESS substitute for
positive statements OF intention it at all
events has no political significance.
Everybody who met Hill when he was
here during the latter part Of President
Cleveland's administration as the guest
OF Secretary Whitney, at a luncheon
which he gave to leading Democrats i'm
and out OF Congress, aud has met him
since he came TO the Senate, comments
.rpon the noticeable Improvement in his
manner.
HILL IS no LONGER DIFFIDENT.
1t seems strange to say that the az
gressive and redOubtable David Bennett
Hill should ever have been diifident
but the Senators and representatives.,
70 say nothing OF others, who went to
Secretary Whitney's for the purpose OF
''sizing up" the man they had heard so
much about, all agreed in saying that
he was difident to the point Of bashiul
ness.
Whitney's manner was so confident,
as we'll as so charming, that In contrast
HIPS manner seemed perhaps more
constrained than it really was, but GER
tsinly IL was at that time anything but
easy; but now he seems to have gotten
bravely over whatever difidenCe he
then had and to be as confident IS be is
courageous. He Is even graceful in his
method OF receiving and makes the
bashful feel at ease. He has met
good many prominent men since he was
here before and 80 they do not seem so
remarkable 70 him as they once did.
He has changed in one other respect.
THE ONLY BALD-HEADED CANDIDATE.
He is balder than he was then, IN
fact, a good deal balder. At that time
he was still aole to part his hair, formal
w, at least, but now, unless he gets
fine French wig, like Weep President
Morton, he would find it impossible TO
do so, formally or informally. In fact,
if the badness keeps on growing he will
have to have a wig whether he wants
one or not,
This badness gives him peculiar
distinction. de is the only bald candi-
date for the Presidency, Cleveland,
German, Blaine, Harrison, Alger, Nc
Kiuley, and every other Presidential
possibility and impessibility having a
more or less plentiful head Of hair.
More than this, II he should be nom
mated and elected he would, so far as
can recOllect at the present writing, be
the only bald-headed man who has ever
sat I'm the Presidential chair.
Far be it from me to intimate that
bald-headed Senator Hill, who has bro
ken at least as many presidents as bald
headed Speaker Reed, should not break
this line OF precedent likewise. But I
am bound 70 admit that the thought
which l have suggested diSturbS the
minds OF some Of his more apprehensive
admirers. Not so, OF course, the enthu-
siaSts, one Of whom announced to me
the other day that he had serious
thoughts of having his own head shaved
so that It might resemble, as he said,
''the greatest head IN the Democratic
party"
HIS STYE OF LIVING
Senator Hill not only keeps up the
Presidential state in his daily walk and
conversation, but he lives in a manner
BETTING the Presidential aspirations,
which are becoming so strong within
him that he is said 20 have asked the
other day what il actually cost to live
IN the White House. He has the hand
soonest apartments in the new part OF
the Arlington Hotel; the annual rem
tal Of which, it is not impertinent to
guess, will absorb the larger portion Of
his Senatorial salary.
IL Is elegantly furnished and he has
some fine pictures, which he brought
with him from Albany, on the walls, as
well IS a considerable portion OF his eX-
ceIIent liarary (for, like German and
other wicked politicians, be IS q great
- IN tha cvnansiye shelves. De