New-York tribune., 1903-01-19

largely to avoid throwing out of employment SO
many workmen.
The public career of Mr Hewitt began In leo''
when the President appointed him one of ten
commissioners TO the Paris Exposition to report
on iron and steel. The volume embodying his
report was translated into nearly all the Euro
pean languages.
Originally a member OF TamInany Han, ne
left that organization and became one of the
leaders in the formation of the County Democ-
racy in 1873 In 1874 he elected 10 Con-
yress where his service continuous, except
one term until 1856. In 1876 he became chair
man OF the Democratic National Committee,
which place he held until March i, 1871, when
he resigned because Of his opinion on the Presi-
Dental controversy.
When Mr Hewitt went into Congress he was
not well known outside this city and his own
State He soon began 30 make himself felt
however His wide business experience. aooeo to
his legal training and mental acuteness, prompt
lv brought him to the front. He held Democratic
views on many great questions, bJs throughout
lis political career party politics counted little
With him in comparison with high standards or
light and Justice. He had a strong liking for
POLITICAL economy, and frequently spoke on sub
iects connected with labor, finance and the oe-
Nelopment of the national resources. expressing
his ideas with fiuency and clear. vigorous logic
mate free trade. He was stanch advocate or
sound currency. and his speeches against the
free coinage of the silver dollar were prophetic
of later financial history. He was the author of
The legislation which created the National Geo
logical Survey.
HAYEs-TILDEN CONTROVERSY.
Mr. Hewitt was chairman OF the Democratic
National Committee during the Hayes-Tfden
he state
,,,ent to the people declaring that the Demo
cratic Marty had carried the country This
manuscript with marginal notes by Mr.. Tiden,
is stin in existence. Mr.. Hewitt largely brought
about the creation of the electoral commission
which finally seated Mr.. Hayes.
In October 1886 Mr. Hewitt nominated
for Mayor Of this city. On october Henry
George had been nominated at Cooper Union,
and his campaign started with rush There
was bitter feeling among the working classes
because of the strike on the Third-ave. surface
railroad Bitterly denouncing the corruption OF
,,utlic officials, and the police in particular,
Henry George demanded the immediate appli-
cation of his own Single Tax theory. The re-
suit was a feeling closely akin to panic among
The conservative classes, which Mr. Georges
freduent laudations of the French Revolution
did not tend &c abate Under these circum-
stances there was a demand that all factions
of the Democracy should unite for the sake OF
society. Suggestions that William r. Grace,
then Mayor should be made the union candidate
were fouted by Tammany men,
The Ta1nrnany convention was held in Tam
many Hall on Monday. october Il. After pro-
1onged discussion Of the situation by a commit
Zee of twenty-four the convention was still at
sea Mr. Hewitts name finally presented
10 the convention 10y r. Henry Dugro, and after
a stirring speech by ". Bourke Cochran Mr.
Hewitt was nominated by acclamation. On
Thursday night the County Democracy nomi-
mated Mr.. Hewitt and Irving Hall also gave
him its support. There considerable ele-
lreut in the Republican party which endeaVored
TO secure the Endorsement of that party for Mr..
Hewitt. This was opposed, however, because 1t
was the year of a Congress election. and Theo-
sor.a Roosevelt was put at the head Of the Re
publican local ticket Many Republicans voted
Tor Mr.. Hewitt
The campaign was a stirring one. Supporters
Of Henry George have since asserted tnat IN ne
had a plurality OF the ballots actually cast The
official returns gave Roosevelt 6o,45o; George,
6S 110 and Hewitt 1000.
Not the least interesting phase Of the cam
paign was that il brought Mr. Croker into the
absolute leadership of Tanmany Hall Wheh
the nomination of Henry George alarmed the
leaders Of the Democracy, Mr. Croker persuaded
his associates in Tammany Hall that Mr.. Hewitt
was the man to save the situation The election
Of the union ticket brought TO Mr.. Croker the
prestige Of successful leadership
\ MR.. HEWITT AS MAYOR,
u Nr Hewitt's administration was honest and
l.usinesske He was d thorough reformer and
kept a close watch over his subordinates. 1t
was apparent before the next municipal cam
pa gn that Mr.. Hewitt would not have the sup
port of the Wigwam again. One cause of Tam
1nanE's opposition was his refusal to have the
Irish flag raised over the City Hall St.
Patrick's Day. He maintained that no foreign
flag should be raised over the City Hall except
11~ar-a 1foy Gfs n
frankness declared that Ireland was not a ma
lion possessing fiaE-
In an interview which published on Thurs
day morning following his election Mr.. Hewitt
said:
Il shall be Mayor. There is an impression
that I am a sicklv man. and so sickly that am
sncapacitated for work. 1t is quite a mistake.
II is true that suffer from insomnia, but have
suffered from that since was d child 1t has
not interfered during all my active life with
the regular performance of all that have peen
called upon 10 do
Mr.. Hewitt was true TO his promise, seeming
almost indifferent whether he made enemies
or not An active enforcement Of the excise
law made him many opponents.
In 1888 Mr.. Hewitt again ran for Mayor, haV'
ing been nominated by the County Democracy
Against him ran Colonel Joel b. Erhardt, the
regular Republican candidate, and Hugh j
Grant who headed the Tammany ticket. Mr.
Hewitt ran a close second to Mr.. Grant.
In 1876, Mr.. Hewitt was mentioned as Demo
cratic candidate for Governor of this State, tc
succeed his friend Mr.. Tilden.
When the Brooklyn Bridge was opened, II
1883, Mr.. Hewitt was the orator He. Mayor
Edison OF New-York and Mayor Low of Brook
lyn went to the opening ceremonies in the
same carriage. They talked of prospective con
soli6ation during the ride. Mayors Edison anC
Low favored it, but Mr.. Hewitt opposed it as
unnecessary. In his speech afterward he made
these pointed remarks;
.'Contemporaneous with the rapid growth OF
urban population have grown complaints o.
-orrupt administration and bad municipal gov
eminent The outcry may be said to be uni
Nersal for il comes from both sides of the At
iant!c and the complaints appear to be in di
rect rlrnnorticn to the size Of cities