New-York tribune., 1899-11-22
HIS CAREER IN WASHINGTON
MARKED BY EXCEPTIONALLY CLOSE
AND PERSONAL RELATIONS WITH
THE PRESIDENT.
TpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIPUNE.I

illustriOus line Of Nice-Presldents mas ever sus-
tained to the Administration closer relations
than those which existed between President
Mckinley and Vice-Presdent Hobart from nrst
to last through all the crises OF foreign war ana
domestic politics. Chosen usually. after the
early period, for strategic and not personal rea-
sons, the second officer OF the Government for
a very long time has not been hearty sup
porter Of the policy Of the Chief Magistrate, and
around him have clustered the dissidents and
lukewarm supporters Of the Administration IN
being. and even when the Office was conferred
uron the second great man Of the party In
mower rivalries and jealousies were the rule
rather than the exception.
General Washington had the most sincere re-
spect for Mr. Adams, but in the very natures OF
the two men there was room for profound
intimacy The latter always considered that
the public did not accord to him the full meas
ure Of statesmanshlp which was his desert, oe-
cause Washington's military service had over
shadowed Adams's civic services.
ONLY OFFICIAL CIvILITY.
OF course. between Adams and Jefferson, rep
resenting Numerically opposite political views
and rlvalries, at times very bitter, there could
not be anything more than official civity. 1t
may be said that as the election Of 1900 ap-
preached even this was strained to the point Ct
swapping Burr quarrelled with his chief, and
Jefferson was relentless in his pursuit Of Burr
after the latter's term in the Vice-Presidency
had expired.
Coming on down there is no just reason for
regarding any Vioe-P President, except possibly
Tompkins, as holding very friendly relations
with the President until Calhoun's first term
All the world knows how savage became the
enmity between Jackson and Calhoun at later
period. 1t is not exceptional friendship that
characterizes the relations OF the subsequent
first and second officers down to the period or
the Civil War At least one Vice ce-President
Tyler. did all he could after his accession to
the Chief Magistracy 20 undermine and destroy
the policies Of his chief, and the Whig party
itself. Mr. Hamlin the first Vice President
in generation to sustain intimate personal
relations with the President. General Grant
and Mr. Hayes and their Vice-Presidents were
on pleasant but not cordial, terms while the
relations between Messrs. Garfield and Arthur
were merely formal. Between Messrs. Cleye-
land and Hendricks in the formers first, and
Messrs. Cleveland and Stevenson. in the second,
Administration. the coldness was remarkable.
UNIQUE IN THE NATIONS HISTORY.
It will be seen from this cursory view that
the unaffected and even intimate terms subsist-
ing between President Mckinley and Vice
President Hobart we're exceptional in the history
Of the United States. They speak for the good
sense and good fellowship Of the two men.
hibiting them both In the light Of sensible and
tactfu craftsmanship Mr.. Hobart from the
beginning Of his term identified himself heart and
soul with the men and the measures Of President
McKney's Administration. His idea always
H.,tll III
tact, his skill. his persistence, were invariably
successful. AS a co-eader with the President. he
achieved many quiet victories never trumpeted
In the newspapers ard seldom alluded to In the
private political gossip OF the National Capital.
Not having been I'm the glare Of the public life
here before election, he had few II any
enemies. Social and political power opened
before him a field, and in this field he quick
ly gained distinction because he a wise, an
amiable. a tactful and masterful man.
Mr.. Hobarts mettle was first shown as pre-
siding officer OF the Senate. BY his long expe-
rience In the legislative chair in his own State
and his habit OF studying precedents he was pre-
emnently htted for the higher place to which he
had been called. Many very able and tactful oc-
cupants OF the seat had preceded him. From
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson down the
chair OF the Nice-Presidency had been filed by
eminent parliamentarians and dignined states
men. The traditions Of the post were sustained
by its latest occupant No Senator could say
that he ever less than fair that at any
time he ever lacked courtesy. Indeed, his con-
duct OF business from the chair conspicuous
at all times both for its buslnesslike orderlness
and for its impartalty.
HIS TACT AND JUDGMENT
Personally Mr. Hobart was most highly
esteemed by the Senators Of both parties. There
were crucial moments when tact. readiness and
judgment were requisite These passed to the
infinite credit of the Vice-President and the sat
isfaction Of the Senate and the public He has,
indeed. been most highly praised for his de-
cisions OF mooted questions. some Of them in
volving delicate political and personal points
sufficient TO tax the best abilities
Mr. Hobart was not content 10 let his career
In Washington rest on his Presidency OF the
Senate His energies and his abilities as n poll
tician called into constant use I'm the as
slstance he rendered 10 the President In the
ordinary and extraordinary duties Of his high
Office. II any advice sought II was freely
acquainted with men. II Will perhaps never be
known just how valuable an adjunct Of the Nc
Kinley Administration Mr.. Hobart from the
beginning TO the day when his inhrmities de-
prived him OF the full use OF his faculties. Con-
suited in ordinary matters Of politics. he was
freely taken into counsel in all the measures
leading up 10 and including the war with Spain
II was here that the Vice ce-Presidents counsel
was invaluable, not that II was based on per-
sonal knowledge OF war and diplomacy, but in
that II was the outpouring of an honest, SYM
pathetic nature, and we'll balanced mind. Dur
ing the whole OF that trying period tho first