The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-22
Garrett Augustus Hobart.

In the memorable convention OF the Re
publican party at st. Louis three years ago
last summer there appeared from New
Jersey candidate for Vice-President whose
name was not known to the country at
large. The biographical dictionaries Of
that very recent time were silent concern
ing him. He had held no other public Office
than the Speakershp Of the Assembly
and the Presidency OF the Senate
OF his own State. He had never
been in Congress. He had busted himself
more or less in local politics, achieving
without much effort commanding In
fiuence in the affairs OF the Republican
party organization in his State. and he had
been for about dozen years the New Jer-
sey member OF the Republican National
Committee. His personal acquaintance was
extensive and IL included men OF i'm
portance in many cities and In diverse de-
partments Of human activity; but long
as was the list OF Mr.. HoBART's friends and
acquaintances their number was insignifl-
cant in comparison with the immense
multitude OF American citizens all over the
Union who were suddenly required to con-
template him as a candidate for the second
Office in the Federal Government in COM
plcte ignorance OF his personality.
Those who did know GARRETT HoBART,
however, were uncommonly sure OF him.
They backed him Mt st. Louis as one whose
intellect and character and practical px-
perience and methods OF doing things put
him easily in tho class to which great
parties go for Presidential timber. They
were right. The judgment which guided
tho wiser counsels OF the dominant faction
In the st. Louis Convention OF 1896 made
no mistake when it placed Mr.. HoBART's
name with Mr.. McKISLEY's on the national
ticket in that epoch.making year.
It comes about that the Vice-Presldent,
who, OF all the twenty-four Vice Presidents
OF the United States entered Office perhaps
the least conspicuous as a statesman and
the least distinctly known to the people as
an individual. ends his career only two
years and eight months later at the I'M
timely call OF Death, universally respected
and widely beloved, and with a reputation
that will stand secure and almost unique
Mr.. HOBART was the sixth Vice President
to die at that post. But IL is more note
| worthy circumstance that he was the
first Nice-President IN many years to figure
much more than nomiDally in the affairs OF
the Administration with which he was
elected. The peculiar and interesting rela,
tons that existed between himself and
( Mr. MCKINLEY. credtable to the hearts
! and heads Of both gentlemen, brought
! Mr.. HoBART's sound political judgment
and remarkable tact into active use.
! fulness to an extent which not every
ono yet appreciates. He was a loyal
counsellor and helper; his unusual infu,
ence was exercised rs wisely as unseishly
in shaping and supporting the policies OF
good Amcricanism.
The blood in Mr.. HOBART was warm and
red, AMI he had IA positive genius for friend
ship. The personal relation came SO neal
| to being the primary consideration In his
manner Of regarding men and events tina,
ii sometimes appeared as II the bust.
ness OF politics and the politics OF bust
ness were merely incidental with him
From tho days when he studied law
with SOCRATES FUTILE In Paterson, an,
from tho time when he acted as receiver
for the old New Jersey Midland railroad. ht
was one OF the busiest men in America
busy with professional duties busy witt
politics. busy with tho affairs OF the two
or three scores OF corporations, big am
little. which depended upon his practica
sagacity for dividends for their stock
holders, rich and poor. And yet thore ar,
those TO whom 1t will always seem as /
Mr.. HOBART spent his whole life in making
and keeping friends.
To-day because of GARRKT A. HopARTt
death the United States mourns will
profound sorrow the loss OF ono OF tn,
MOrthiest servants tho country ever had