New-York tribune., 1906-09-21

Robert Roberts Hitt. for many years a Repre-
sentative from Illinois, was born at Urbana Ohio.
january 16. 1884. He the second son Of the
Rev Thomas g. Hit When he three years
cid the family moved 20 Mount Morris, H., which
place his home for the remainder OF his life
He educated at Rock River Seminary, found
ed by his father, now Mount Morris College
and at De Pauw University. at Asbury. III While
IN the seminary he became interested In the study
Of stenOgraphy, and became master Of It
In those DAYS stenegraphers were by no means
common they He became interested in
journalism, ana obtained employment on the stsff
Of The Chicago Tribune"
When IT learned that he knew shorthand he
was regarded a star" reporter. and was
signed TO report the great debates between Doug
las and Lincoln In 1858, when the Little Giant"
and the Rail Splitter" were rival candidates for
the Senate and canvassed the State in Joint de-
bate which has since been memorable in the
political history OF Illinois. In this way Mr.. Hit
came be known to both lincoln and Douglas.
His reports form the only record that exists Of
those speeches
Many stories are told OF the part Mr.. Hit played
IN the campaign Of that year. Mr.. Lincoln recog-
nized perhaps better than any else the impor-
tanoe OF that debate IN bringing him conspcuously
before the country. His regard for Mr. Hit is
shown IN the following story:
On one OF the meeting days very hot and sui
try one, immense crowd had gathered at Free
port, drawn from all the country roundabout. The
meeting held in open field none OF the
public squares crossroads would accommodate
the crowd. The announcement had been made that
the speaking would begin 2:3O O'Clock precisely
and at that hour everybody and everything seemed
70 be IN readiness The band had discOursed patri-
otic airs for half hour while the assemblage was
coming together; the forensic adversaries had
taken the platform. with their respective
party leutenants clustered behind them.
Mr.. lincoln had been billed for the first speech
and the multitude waited with bated breath for
him 20 begin the battle But he did not rise In
IL ,r,.g
cranng his long neck this way and that. as II
looking for some lost object. Mr.. Douglas seemed
mystlhed all this He perfectly composed
himself. and his stenOgrapher was putting needle
point on OF his pencils. Presently Mr.. Lincoln
half rose. bent forward. and opened his mouth,
while all the crowd strained its ears to listen
Instead Of pouring forth q torrent of elOquence.
however. his lips emitted only these words:
Where's Hitt?'
There was a moments silence and then a wave
OF merriment swept over the multitude Mr.. LIN
coin apparently unconscious OF everything except
hts own anxiety. spoke again: Does anybody know
where Hit isT
This was too much for every one. and a neal Of
hearty laughter was the response. Just then some
person in the rear OF the crowd shouted: ''Hitt's
coming" And in minute two a perspIrns
youth much agitsted and out OF breath worked
his way through the dense mass Of humanity and
was helped upon the platform. Mr. Lincoln heaved
a deep sigh OF satisfaction. paused until the new,
corner could get his notebook and pencil well IN
hand. and then plunged into his speech with a zest
which made II seem all the more eloquent for the
brief diversion which had preceded it. The phrase
Where's Hitt?' became a bywOrd throughout that
campaign.
Mt hit is supposed TO be the foundation OF the
character OF r. r. Hin IN Winston Churchiu's
book THE Crisis"
He v,s official reporter OF Illinois in lsss-so -.
ported the Holt-Dayis Commission at ST. LouIs
was with Secretary Stanton for a time. ascended
the Missouri River 1850 miles with indian treaty
commission made an extensive foreign tour in
lss7-'es and on returning home. prepared reports
OF the Wade expedition 10 Santo Domingo and the
Ku-Klux investigation.
Mr. Hit became the friend OF President Grant
and IN lsT4 made secretary or the United
States Legation in Paris. During the absence OF
the American Minister he was charge daffaires
In 1851 he returned TO the United states. Was
made Assistant Secretary OF state under James
q. Blaine Ills career IN the state Department
cut short BIZ the death OF Representative
X II. A Hawk. whom hs was nominated 70 suo-
oeed, Mr. Hitt was nominated ana elected In No
Ysmbsr lss2 Mr. Hitt succeeded himself for each