The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-11-21

ninth year. His constituents urged MIN 70
stand for a third term, distinction then
unknown in the county's political history
but Mr. Hobart felt obliged TO decline.
In obedience to the oyerWheinlns oe
sire of his party, however. IN 1870 ne az
cepted the nomination for State senator.
Again his popularity was manifested Dy
the phenomenal majority OF less, the
largest ever cast by the county exceedlns
that given to Mr.. Hayes for President
In the Senate, as in the Assembly, MI.
Hobart was quick to earn distinction.
Upon his reelection in 1879 he was chosen
president of that body. which office he dls-
charged with brilliant ability. In leSo, MT.
EIobart was selected as the chairman OF
the Republican State Committee, in which
position he remained for eleven years,
with credit to himself and to his party.
During his service in the Senate he was
a member of one of the most important
committees, among them those on the Re-
vision Of Laws, Education, State Library,
Industrial School for Girls. Printing
Fisheries and Elections. In 1879 and 1850
he was chairman of the committee Of first
rank. that of the Judiciary His impress
as legislator was permanently stamped
on the statute books of the State, and
some Of the most useful measures now IN
force were his work.
Among these was the law providing for
a summary Judicial investigation OF the
affairs of any county upon the apphca-
tion of twenty-five freeholders, an act
which has been invoked a number or
times and with most salutary results.
Another measure charged the sinking
fund Of the State with the payment OF
all the interest and part Of the principal
of the State debt yearly, reducing the or
dinary annual expenses about $100,oo Still
another instance of Mr.. Hobart's legis-
lative ability was an act for the arbitra-
ton of labor disputes.
In his party Mr.. Hobart received equally
high honors. He was sent as delegate
either from his Congressional district or
the State at large, to several National
conventions. In 1884 he was chosen
member of the Republican National Com
mittee and later was made vice chair
man.
Mr.. Hobart, in 1884. received his party 8
nomination in joint caucus of United
States Senator But the Legislature was
Democratic, and he was defeated for cleo
ton by Hon John R. Mcpherson.
Mr.. Hobart was in Europe at the time
that the candidacy of John w. Griggs
for Governor of New Jersey was first
talked of. On his return home he espoused
heartily Mr. Griggs' candidacy, and nomi-
mated him in convention. He entered Wig
orously into the campaign. Governor
Grigg's election by a triumphant majority
of 26, coo, as the first Republican TO hold
that Office for more than a quarter of a
century, was a splendid testimonial to
Mr., Hobarts wisdom and sagacity as a
campaign manager.
In his professional career, Mr.. Hobart
was meanwhile winning many laurels.
Possessed of extraordinary business ca
pacity in large affairs, where prompt de-
cisdon, united to sound judgment, con-
duces to success. he was called in to as
sist by his counsels a number of manu-
featuring and transportation interests,
water companies, silk mills, oil mills, rail-
roads banks and fax mills. He had no
sympathy with visionary schemes, and
had a keen insight into whatever, how
ever plausible, was really illogical and
unsound.
His business ability was recognized by
the judiciary of his State. Among other
trusts confided to him. and faithfully dis
charged were the Montclair Railway
Company, the New Jersey Midland Rail
road Company. the Jersey City and AL
bany Railroad Company and the First
National Bank of Newark. He was con-
graduated by the Comptroller of the Cur
rency in 1880 for his management of the
latter institution during his receivership.
He had charge of the East Jersey Water
Company, with dts allied interests. He
was president of the Passaic Water Com
pany, the Paterson Railway Company
consolidated lines the Morris County
Railroad and the Peoples Gas Company.
He Was director in several National banks.
including the First National Bank of
Paterson and the Paterson Savings IN
stitution. He was also In the directory or
the New York, Susquehanna and Western
Railroad, the Lehigh and Hudson River
Railroad, the Barbour Brothers Com
pany, the Barbour Flax Spinning Com
pany' the Pioneer Silk Company, the Edi-
son Electric Illuminating Company, the
American Cotton Oil Company and be-
tween forty and fifty other corporations
In many of them he also held for years
the place of legal adviser
Those who were intimate with Mr.. Ho-
bart say that he was more than once re-
strained by his friendship with General
William J. Seweli from allowing his name
to be presented as candidate for United
States Senator. When Mr.. Hobart's name
did go before the Legislature, presented
by Senator Youngblood, Mr.. Mcpherson,
his opponent, received only seven votes
more than he received and the contest
is numbered among the historic incidents
in the politics of New Jersey.
When the st. Louis convention met in
June, 1896, Mr.. Hobart's name seemed at
once to the delegates to be the natural
name to associate with that of Mckinley.
Mr. Hobart shared the same high com
pliment that was paid by his party to
President Mckinley. He was chosen on
the first ballot by vote of 1884,, against
3591s votes for all others.
AS Vice President, Mr.. Hobarts individ-
uality was quick to assert itself. Instead
of contenting himself, like many of his
predecessors, with being mere figure
head, he at once set to work to fulfill
his new conception of the Vice Presi-
Dental duties. A close friendship sub
sisted between President Mckinley and
Mr. Hobart and the President frequent
ly dropped in to see him in an informal
way His advice was sought and follow
ed in many of the great problems which
have confronted the present administers
ton.
Previous to his incumbency, the Brit
ish representative in Washington had al
ways taken precedence over every one
except the President. Sir Julian Paunce-
fote. tho British Ambassador, supposed