The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-09-26

Lawrence's advice, Hill went TO Elmira
in 1853 to study law with Erastus +.
Hart.
lie was admitted to practice In No
vember. 1884. and having arrived at his
majority the same year he lost no time
IN preparing the opening chapters OF
his own political history. lie was deeply
interested In politics for the Democratic
side, and that interest has never
tagged.
Politics so occupied his attention
that he has never turned aside TO enjoy
thu happiness Of a love affair. and Is
still d bachelor.
i'm made his first political speech to
a mass-meetinE OF his fellow-townsmcn
when ne was but seventeen years old,
the failure of the advertised speakers
TO arrive resulting in the Committee
calling upon him to address thu crowd
HI began his political career as the
opponent { o. stephen Arnot; OF ".
mira, Charles G. Il. walker Of Corning;
J. G. L. Jones: Of Aidi.on. and Joan
NJ DOugal. Of Horue..svi.ie. who ha
rulei tie Democratic party 4 the south
ern tier for years In 1868 he was sue
cessfdl. and was sent az delegate to the
In 1870 his ability as "A fighter was
recognized in the nomination for the
Assembly, and he was elected, and re-
In the Assembly he was one of the
twenty-six Democrats, and Assembly
men Samuel j. ridden and David y.
judiciary Committee. 1t was here that
nm became Tildcn's first lieutenant.
and the two fought together against
the Tweed Ring until it was shattered
and broken.
For years Hill was TiIdens chief IN
the Southern Tier counties, but sought
no official Advancement for himself. As
an Aesembyman he was the FIRST 10 pro.
pose the abolition Of contract labor IN
the State prisons, and he advocated this
change till 1t was secured, thus earning
tho friendship OF the labor element Of
the State.
In 1916, when Gov. Tllden was fighting
the canal RINK, and Speaker Mcclure. of
lslmIra, seemed certain of heading z
delegation hostile to the Governor, I'M
chnmponei Gov Tllen's cause and
was successful. heading an anti-canal
ring delegation 10 the state Convention.
lie was rewarded BY a place on e
| ful wheel in Mr. Tilden's reform ma
cline, aiding much in the campaign of
1876, which gave Tilier 1900 majority
| In Tie State
| nm was Chairman of the state Con-
vcntons OF 1871 and 1850.
Meantime; having voluntarily ,1,r, retired
No mination Of the part and was elected
| Alderman from the Third ward OF III.
mira. In 1882 he was elected Mayor Of
| the city.
| place on the State ticket with Grover
| Cleveland. and when the votes were
counted. and the country marNelled over
| 7.
found that Hin had received 10000 ma
| jority.
Lieut.-Gov. Hill established the prece-
| dent, afterwards sustained by the re
publican Attorney General that sen
ator in his seat, though ne REFUSED 70
vote. might be counted by the Chair In
making IN a quorum. ,,..
in 1884 made Hill Governor by success
sion. In 1885 he was elected Governor ,t 5S
by an Increased majority and IN 1871,
| the Legislature being Democratic. ne
was elected United States Senator, 70
succeed William NJ. Evarts, a Repuol-
| can. , l.,
TO Senator Huns vigorous work in
the Senate in behalf OF the repeal or the
Sherman Silver bill was credited the
passage of this Democratic measure,
| End his speeches on the tarin question
did much to clarity the atmosphere IN
! Washington and TO reinstate the sen
ator in the good graces OF that wing OF
the party which had heen hostile 10
| him as the supposed uncompromising
enemy OF the Administration and to any
measure cxpoused by the Administra-
| ton.
| 1t is said of Senator Hill that his word
Is always as good as his bond. He never
| forEetS a face nor name, and despite
his long public career he Is still poor
As Governor his veto messages, ant
other State papers were able, ana th'
gfrOngCft eNpTtS OF Nn' p'lpCSlbllH "
put Dave Hill In a hole by means o
Objectionable legislation were unsuccess
full.
He Is not magnetic, yet has been, IL
much popular demand as a speaker
at country fairs and on occasions
He Is strictly ahsteminous man
never INDUCING in alcoholic beverages
vet stood between the liquor Interests
and legislation intended TO harm them
He never uses tobacco. and Is quiet
stuliouS man.
In personal appearance David h. HI
Is far from handsome. He is trih
over medium height Has a very boil
crown, with a fringe Of lustreless hlacl
hair over his ears. and Mt the bnck o
the head; wears "A sinister looking mus
tache of hristlirg hair, and has hahi
OF wrinkling about his deep-set eve
! that Is dsarreeable to look st HI
skin is fair almost pale, ana his nose
his most unprepossessing feature.
Is large. with wide nostrils and hitc
in the bridge that suggests fisticui
blow.
He dresses In a black frock coat
light trousers and usually a shining sill
hat He Is a theatre-goer and visit
, the hall game. but never was known I
J indulge in any other pleasure save tn
game OF politics.