The Washington times., 1904-05-22

his home. He was educated at Rock
River Seminary. now Mount Norris Col
/ lege, and at De Pauw University. in
Asbury. III.
While at the seminary he became in
| terested in stenography, then he became
| fascinated with the art Of shorthand
writing, undertook the study Of IT, and,
Ike everything else which ne has un-
! dertaken. ne became the master Of It
He studied the old-fashioned BeHn Pitt
man system, a system upon which al.
other systems Of shorthand writing are
based. In those days shorthand writers
were by no means as numerous as they
are now. and it was considered a won.
/ derful art. and Mr.. Hit was regarded
| as an EXPERT.
/ Mr.. Hit had an ambition also 10 be
come a journalist. and almost his first
position was on the staff Of the Chi
| cago Tribune"
Douglas-Lincoln Debates.
: When It became known that he was
| stenographer he received what was re
| garded as it well might have been, tn,
4 star assignment on the papcr-tO repor
/ the great debates between Douglas an,
Lincoln I'm 1858, when the Little Giant
and the "railsplitter" were rival cand.
dates for the Senate, and canvassed In
State in Joint debate in a campaigl
which has even been memorable in tn
political history OF Illinois.
In this way Mr.. Hit came 20 h
known to both Douglas and Lincoln.
His reports Of the debates were usec
by both political parties. and form the
/ only record which exists Of those Wig.
orous speeches 1t has been many year.
/ since Mr. Hit did any shorthand re
/ - cs hac
cunning. and to this day he not infre-
/ quentIy jots down for memorandum
! those peculiar little hooks and quirks
| which mean so much to the stenOg
rapher. and II occasion required he coulC
do a Job Of shorthand reporting which
would put 70 shame many an amanuen-
sis.
The Friend of Grant.
Mr.. Hit became also the friend OF
President Grant. and in 1874 he was
made first secretary at the United States
legation in Paris. During the absence
Of the American minister he was charge
daffaires. He seemed to have a natural
liability and taste for diplomatic matters.
and had he remained in that branch OF
the service there is no doubt that h
would have become one Of America s
greatest diplcmatists. In 1881 he re-
turned to the United States and was
made First Assistant Secretary Of State
under James G. Blaine, who had dis
covered the caliber Of man he was
and how we'll suited ne was for dealing
with the affairs Of state.
Mr.. Hits career in the State Depart
meut. however. was cut short by reason
OF the death Of Representative r. N. A
Hawk, whom he was nominated TO SIC
of fQr
were IN much controversy over the nom
ination. there being several candidates
and an inability to agree UpOn any OF
them. Finally some one suggested Rob
ert r. Hit
To the query, who's Hitt?' the re-
spouse was made that he was the mar
whom James G.. Blaine thought wei
enough Of TO make First Assistant Sec
rotary Of state. That settled the mat
ter and Mr. Hit was nominated and
elected in November, 1882.
Career in Congress.
Since that time HIS record has wor
, him every other year a denomination
without opposition and the election b.
large majorities. The convention which
named him again last Friday. just e
make sure of his continuance in tn
public service I'm case a slip should pre-
vent him from getting the nomination
, for Vice President. was little more thar
. a reunion OF his old friends and neigh
/ bors 10 do him further honor and per
, form a mere formal and perfunctor!
\ duty.
Mr. Hits long and efficient service fl
e the House has gained for him a position
{ OF prominence and influence in tina
body. lie is beloved by members oil
5 both sides of the chamber. Always al
ardent Republican. unfolding the primer
5 pies and defending the policies Of tina
= party, he has never been a bitter parti
, san. and no word ever uttered by hin
: either upon the floor Of the House o
elsewhere carried with IL a sting for
partisan opponent. Always forceful an,
even eloquent i'm debate. his speeches ar
e ever Of a high order. logical and states
. manlike. he never stopped 10 the petit.
e practices OF small politicians, and n
4 opponent ever had occasion 20 cherisl