The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-11-21
Was Chosen Personal Attendant by Chair.
man Thomas Henry Carter.
MANY ROWS WITH Committeeman.
On the Crest Of the Wave When He Was Thirty
One Years 0Id---He Has Much More Than
The Average C|evernsss.

NEW YORK. Nov. 21.-[Special. THE
newspapers are making some little talk
just now about the future of Lemuel ELI
Quigg, whose ambition to return to con-
gr-ss was defeated by the election of his
opponent, William Astor Chanler And
so far as politics goes it seems to be agreed
that Quigg may be out of 1t, at least for the
next few years IL should he remembered,
however that he has yet some months TO
sorve aud all sorts Of things may happen
L1fore he finally steps out.
Quigg's public career began rather more
than six years ago, when he was chosen as
his personal attendant, so to speak, by the
Hon. Thomas Henry Carter, executive
chairman of the Republican national cam
paign committee In charge of Benjamin
Harrison's second campaign for the presi-
dency. All through that campaign Quigg
was positive entity at the headquarters
in Fifth avenue, and before election day
he had been engaged In more rows with
committeeman and their friends than any
other person about the place. On one
occasion no had "A fuss with Joe Manley of
Maine, a committee member, that came
near resulting In the violent severance OF
Quigg's connection with the committee.
This would surely have been the result
had not Chairman Carter come 10 the
front like thousand OF brick in behalf of
his protege.
Ouigg had then been on The Tribune
editorial staff for some years, and this was
thought TO have some bearing on his rela-
tions with the committee. Accordingly
some of those about headquarters To whom
he was not persona grLta went tn Whitelaw
Reid, editor of The Tribune, and besought
him to order Quigg away. But Quigg
stuck at his post to the end Of the chapter,
being prominent among those who were in
at the death when the wires told the story
of Harrison's defeat on the night of cleo
tion day
When QuigR Was on the Crest.
After that Quigg went back to his place
at a Tribune desk, where he staid till somt
one offered him the job Of chief editor on
rival newspaper. Meantime he had
sought and obtained seat in the lower
house by virtue of his warcry, smash the
Wilson billp BY 1894, at 81, he was on
the crest of the wave. AS editor and con
gresham his position was really promi-
ncst. He was frequently spoken of as one
OF the most brilliant, most successful men
of his age in oil New York. He announced
that no had aspirations for the mayor =
chair. There was talk that he might some
day be n senator ut Washington. Then he
began to make mistakes in practical poll
tics.
The first of these was In bitterly oppos-
ing the growing tide i'm favor of Mckin-
leys nomination to the presidency.
Through that came Quigg's relinquish-
81 L. od, al MI
lowed by his selection as chairman of the
Republican county committee, but his
work in that position, whether because of
his mistakes or those of some one else,
was unblossed with victory, and much
criticism was showered upon him person
ally, while certain prominent Republicans
cussed his baclier, Senator Platt, up hill
and down dale for putting him in so I'M
portapt "a place. Through IL all Quigg
smiled and continued on his course with
all the imperturbability he could have dis
played had he been the man of genius he
believes himself TO be.
Had he been re- elected this year he
would have come mighty near proving his
genius, and i'm truth he Is chap OF much
moro than average cleycrness and re-
source, while his persistence and push arc
surely worthy os a stronger man. But, be
imp beaten, there are now few who ITO him
reverence, and the demand that he retire
from the county chairmanship is loud,
deep and general. The chances are that
he will accede TO this demand, but this
will be rs bitterness in his soul and as
wormwood TO his understanding.
The Man Who Beat Quigg.
The world at large already knows good
deal about the man who defeated Quigg.
His name IL William Astor Chanler, and
his career a. clubman, explorer, state as
semblyman, etc, previous 10 his nomina-
ton 90 the house OF representatives was
briefly summed up i'm this correspondence
few days before election. His success nj
the polls this year invests him with addi
tional interest. Here are few points con
corning his personality furnished by q
man who recently met Mr.. Chanler Mt Hot
Springs, Va. wherc he had gone 10 secure
somo sorcly needed rest after the hard
work and severe tension of the recent cam
paign.
"His most noteworthy characteristic, v
said tho New Yorker i'm talking Of the new
congressman, seemed To- me To- be per
sonal modesty. II would he very easy for
young man having rs big slice Of As.
tor money rs he possesses to cut n lot of
dash at such place as the Hot Springs,
especially in view Of his recent political
victory, but the fact is that he was about
the quietest chap there He put on nc
lugs whatever. His clothes were unob
trusiyo to the last degree. He had IA valet
along, but kept him thoroughly In the
background.
I'm every way young Chanler seemed to
shrink from display. He appeared tc
know most Of those worth knowing. and
ne dldn try TO seclude himself, but b,
never once put himself 20 the front and
he spcnt good deal Of time IN long walks
all by himself. He was one Of the few
men staying at the big hotel where pu'
mp who wouldn't dress specially for din
mar Nourlv oxrrv one elss tluun,et even