The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-02
MIR. HOBART IN POLITICS.
Power In the Senate and n CIeveS
Party Worker.

WASHINGTON, Nov lit was left
for Mr.. Hobart to break down precedents,
and this he did in a way which astonlsh-
ed the politicians. He had been a men,
Der OF the Republican national committee
Tor nearly dozen years, affi!iating with
Plat, Quay, Clarkson, Fessenden and
the others who We're In control from year
to year. He thus acquired an acquaint-
anceship with men from all sections Of
the country and a grasp of the national
political situation which he made imme-
date use Of
Mr.. Hobart was practically at the head
of the Eastern section Of the Republican
campaign in 1896. He was in constant
consultation with Mckinley and Hanna.
and his advice was generally followed
He had large acquaintance with the
moneyed men of the Eastern states and
was associated with many large corpora.
tons, owing to the fact that his practice
OF law was largely in the direction OF
such organizations. and he generally took
stock In them as whole or part return
for his legal services. In securing con.
tribuuons, therefore, from the East for
a distinctly financial campaign, Mr.. Ho-
part was constant source OF strength To
the national committee
When he came to Washington in March
1877, the relations between the vice pres
ldent and the president were. therefore
OF the most cordial character Mr.. Ho-
part had gained Legislative experience
and learned the ordinary duties of a par-
hamentary presiding officer as speaker OF
the house and president of the senate in
New Jersey, and 1t was not a difficult
matter for him to handle the Eavel in
the United States senate
For many years the senate had to a Ger.
tain extent resented the interference OF
the vice president with its business. but
Mr.. Hobart was taken into the inner
council from the start, and exercised m ore
power In the senate itself than anv vice
president for a generation. His relations
with the president being so cordial IL
was natural that he should become the
nouthpiece Of the White house at the
capitol, and many quiet limitations Of
the wishes of the executive were convey
ed to influential senator's and representa-
tlVes through the vice president.
This meant much during the time whar,
the country was on the brink of war with
Spain. Hot heads in the senate and house
were frequently called in for a quiet con-
sultation in the vice presidents room.
ana many incendiary resolutions were
held back at his request, and on his as
surance that the president fully recog-
n1zed the sentiment of the country. and
would at the proper time and In his own
way l@Ae steps 10 put stop to the Gu
ban injustices.
Mr.. Hobart was neither q lingo nor a
peace-at-any-pric man, but his leanings
were unquestionably toward vigorous ac-
ton, and he foresaw the war almost
from the beginning of the admihistra-
ton.
Technically. the death Of Vice President
Hobart could not embarrass the govern
ment, but practically his removal from
active participation in affairs here meant
much. The death of a vice president. ac-
cording to present laws. means vacan-
cy In the office the remainder of the ad.
niinistration. There Is no provision for
a new vice president. The president pro
tempore of the senate becomes the per-
manent presiding officer of that body,
but no more so than IL the vice president
had merely left town or was Ill. The
secretary of state advances a step near
er the presidency, but he does not become
vice president.