The San Francisco call., 1899-11-22

a
this period when it was necessary for him
10 teach school and keep books IN the
evening to make his expenses. 1t Is even
said that he knew what IL was TO go 10
bed without supper and trust to some
friend for his breakfast. This struggle
lasted for about three years, after which
he became a full-fledged counselor and
clients became plenty. He began to daD-
pie In small politics and for many years
held unimportant places. He was once
clerk TO the grand juries, and about mis-
time lost the political favor of his an
cestors for deserving their Democratic
traditions and becoming a Republican.
This was a fortunate move, for in April,
1871. he was elected City Counsel. Here
was the real beginning Of his public ilfe.
The next year he became counsel 10 the
Board OF Freeholders and was elected 10
the State Assembly from the Third Pas
sale District by the largest vote the dis
trict had ever given.
Mr.. Hobart's record was that Of an ac-
tive. aggressive legislator. lie was so
able in this position that he was elected a
second time in 1873 and chosen Speaker.
His constituency promoted him AT the
next opportunity and he went back TO the
capital TO be chosen President Of the
State Senate. He introduced more bills
than anybody else, and was during ms
term In the lower house chairman OF sew
eral important committees. He rs the
author Of some Of the most important
measures now upon the New Jersey
books. II was his idea that the law was
enacted which provides for the summary
judicial investigation Of the affairs Of any
county upon the application OF twenty
five frceholders. an act which has been
used many times with splendid results.
Another measure of his was the statute
charging the sinking fund Of the State
with the payment Of all interest and part
OF the State debt yearly. reducing the or
binary expenditures some 100000 annu-
ally, which was the cause of the removal
Of the State taX-one Of the facts upon
which New Jersey prides itself more than
any other. lie also drafted and secured
the passage Of the bill calling for the ar
bitration OF strikes and troubles between
labor ana capital. There was disposi-
tion 10 give him more honor, and in 1854
he was the choice Of the joint caucus for
the United States Senate The Assembly
was largely Democratic, and he was nat
urally defeated by John r. Mcpherson.
who was a lifelong Democrat.
This was the end OF his officeholding.
and he began a most remarkable business
career. He made money rapidly. and he
next appeared in politics as one of the
managers and directors Of the campaign
of Mr.. Blaine.
Law was his profession. He was want
ed in the business world. and in a few
be had no time for the practice. His
first place of Importance was the receiV-
ership OF the New Jersey Railroad. This
place called for the greatest financial
tact. He so managed the affairs OF the
that the road was soon put
upon a substantial basis and started on
the way 10 subsequent success. He next
was placed In control Of the Montclair
Railroad and the Jersey City and Albany
line. and he repeated his successes. The
First National Bank OF Newark failed.
Mr.. Hobart was asked 10 settle up the af-
fairs. This he did so sAillfully that with
in six months he paid all dep0sltors in
ful. His reputation as financial man
ager having been established, he was Of
fered many places and his advice was
held a. a premium all over the State. lie
accepted many of them, and the top of his
desk In his office had a letter file with
twenty compartments in il, each devoted
10 some corporation in which he was very
largely interested.
All this, however, did not keep Hobart
busy. In 1881 he sought wider field of
politics. He was made chairman OF the
New Jersey State Republican Committee.
he held this place for year, resigning
TO accept an election to the National Com
mittee This honor he held without inter
ruption since 1854. He was one of the
managers OF the Blaine campaign, and
has been on the Executive Committee and
In the State ranked as a leader in the
class with Platt, Quay, Manley, Clarkson.
Fessenden and the others who know the
He helped control the destnies of the
party until Mr.. Hanna appeared in the
neld. This new leader called him 10 go
up higher and Mr.. Hobart was willing.
having picked out the place more than
two years before. 1t is related that this
OF his was formally declared at
a luncheon at the home Of William Bar
bour. at Monmouth Beach. General Har-
rison was there at the time, and il was
before the general decided he would not
stand for reelection. Mr.. Barbour at the
time called attention 10 the fact that Mr..
Hobart had not announced himself as a
for the Senatorship or the Gov
ernorship, and was free for some greater
honor. He predicted the ticket would be
Harrison ard Hobart. He made a mis-
take in half the names, and when Mr.
Harrison took mis- name from the public
for the place with Major Mckinley. The
change was acceptable. The Hobart-Mc-
IHnley buttons appeared four weeks be-
fore the convention, and the Mckinley
the life and doings OF Garret A. Hobart.
His nomination was settled, ahd there
was never time when the combinations
against him could have been effective.
Mr.. Hobart married the beautiful
daughter of his legal mentor, Miss Jennie
Tuttle. He did this in 1869 when she was
a mere girl, and he but %. There were
two children. Fannie and Garret. In
June, 1896, while the family was In italy.
the daughter died. Mrs. Hobart is still In
and has not recovered from the
chap, Is years old. Mrs Hobart has lost
none Of the beauty Of her young DAYS and
is regarded as one Of the most charming
women in the country. She was the clos
est confidant OF her husband in all his af
fairs. and would sit with him i'm the office
at the home during deliberations over
great financial transactions. She is abso-
lutely without affectation, trait which
is characteristic of every member OF the
household. They live in a three-storv
frame house at Paterson. There is an ar
tistic hall. several pretty drawinC-rooms
and spacious library which is Mr. Ho-
barts den. The house is one mass of pIc-
lures Of merit. in addition to the treas
ures In the art gallery. 1t is the verdict
of the women who know her. and this is
most remarkable. that were Mrs. Hobart
compelled TO pass civil service examina-
tion to become the leader Of washington
society she would get 100 per cent