The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-12-27

terms of three years each, and in the
years 1875, 1879 and 1880 he was President
Of that body. His career as legislator
was one of brilliant usefulness, ana ms
record is remarkable for strict integrity
honorable bearing and dignified depor'-
ment. When he was elected to the United
States Senate by the Legislature Of 1881,
and on severing the ties Of friendship
which bound him to those on both sides
of the chamber, an impressive scene oc-
CURED when Democrats as well as re
publicans Wed with each other in compii-
mentins him upon the high honor which
had been conferred on him, and express
ing regret that the State was about 70
lose so valuable member OF its law
making body Appropriate resolutions
were unanimously passed, and senator
Sewell took his leave few days before
the meeting of the United States Senate,
on the fourth of March, 1881. He was
elected in joint meeting over his prede-
cessor, Hon. Theodore F. Randolph, by
a strict party vote. He was delegate
to the Republican National Conventions
of 1876 and 1885, He was chairman OF the
New Jersey delegation to the Republican
National Convention at Chicago IN 1854
and was a staneh supporter of Blaine Ior
the Presidency In 1883 he was also chair
man of the New Jersey delegation to the
Republican National Convention. when ne
supported General Harrison for the Pres
idency; and again in 1892, when he took
a similar position In 1886 he also served
as chairman OF the New Jersey delegation
to the National Republican Convention
q IA STFrReded
Rufus Blodgett as United States Senator
in 1887. In 1895, being the choice of the
Republican caucus, he was elected to
succeed John R. Mcpherson in the United
States Senate
On May 4, 1898, Senator Sewell was ap-
pointed by President Mckinley Major
General of United States Volunteers, but
at the earnest request of his RepuDncan
colleagues to retain his seat in the Senate
where his services to his country We're
much needed, he declined the honor on
NAV is. He was nominated by Governor
Voorhees, on February is, 1889, as MAJOR
General of the National Guard OF New
Jersey. and without the usual reference
to a committee, he was promptly con-
firned by unanimous vote. The nomlna-
ton was made to fill the vacancy caused
bv the resignation of Major General
Plume.
Al the last session of the Legislature
he was elected for the third time to the
United States Senate by the Republican
majority His opponent was Avian a
Clark of Somerset He entered upon ms
third term on March T.
For over forty years General Seweil
has been a prominent figure in New Jer-
sey politics and during most of that time
the acknowledged leader of the Repuo-
ucan party in this State. 1t was his
force of character. genius and inborn
power to lead men and thought that
made it possible for the Republican
Marty TO maintain the effective organiza-
ton it did in all those years during which
it was in hopeless minority. As an or
ganizer he had no superior in politics and
the organization which he maintained
among the New Jersey Republicans in
the face of such adverse circumstances
was remarkable. NO one was better
iudee of human nature than he, and he
did not need to see much Of man OF 70
hear much from him to determine his
true value. 1t was this faculty which en-
abled him to surround himself with a
body of lieutenants upon whom he could
especially rely for the successful carry
ing out of his plans.
At Washington General Sewen ranked
among the leaders of Congress. In the
administration of General Arthur, but
more particularly those Of Presidents
Harrison and Mckinley. he welded an
influence in National affairs which made
him one of the foremost men of the
country and reflected credit both upon
himself and the State he represented. It
is not in the political world alone that
General Sewell will be missed. In him
the National Guard will lose a wise and
conservative commander By virtue Of
the rank he held, first Brigadier and
afterward Major General, he wae mem
ber of the State Military Board which
has complete control Of the military af-
fairs of the State. In this body the force
of character and executive ability OF the
General was quickly recognized and to
his wisdom and prudence is due much Of
the efficiency to which the New Jersey
militia has attained.
In the business world General Sewell
was equally prominent. For many years
he has occupied a responsible position in
the West Jersey Railroad, the company
which controls almost every road south
of Camden and for the past few years he
has been president of that company. His
administration of the affairs of that large
railroad system wac characterized by the
same energy and ability which marked
his career as a statesman and soldier