The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-07-12
MEN AND THINGS.
Hugh Hastings, Tax Commissioner

Hugh Hastings, Tax Commissioner.
In appointing Hugh Hastings tax
commissioner for the city Of New York.
Mayor Mcclellan compiimented one of his
friends of the days when he wrote for the
newspapers. When young Mcclellan was
a political reporter on the New York
World, Hastings was his immediate SUI
perior, and a friendship grew up between
them which has been strengthened by the
years that have passed since then Mr..
Hastings Is a Republican, and at pres
ent is holding the position OF historian Of
the State OF New York, which he viii re-
sign TO accept the appointment proffered
by Mayor Mcclellan. The State Office,
which he has occupied since 1895. has
paid s., 900 a year while the salary Of the
tax commissionership is $7.000.
Mr.. Hastings has long been one of the
most popular Of all the officials at Al
bany, and many Washingtonians have
been entertained by him there. He has
retained all the characteristics which
made him one OF the best newsgatherers
OF his time, and there has never been a
day since ne became a public figure that
he did not prefer 10 make one Of party
Of congenial newspaper men than 70 fra
ternize with other officeholders. He has
made a record as State historian, one OF
his conspicuous works being a religious
history of New York, IN five volumes.
Much of his service as a newspaper
writer was with the old Commercial Ad-
vertiser, on which paper he held. at va
rious times. every position from reporter
10 managing editor He was q member
Of the New York Times staff when APP
pointed State historian by Gov. Levi p.
Merton. He Is flfty-one years old.
what Might HAVE Been.
Samuel Douglas McEnery, senior Sen
ator from Louisiana, who has attracted
attention by his offer TO resign his seat
In favor Of John Sharp Williams in the
event that the latter. If defeated by Col
Vardaman, will remove TO Louisiana, has
peculiar hold on Pelican State politics
Although incapacitated for active work
in the Senate by reason Of his extreme
deafness and HIS increasing years--he is
now seventy-almOst any Louisiana poll
tician will tell you that he Will have nc
| difficulty in retaining his seat as long as
he pleases. On many occasions he has
I
has produced no effect, apparently. or
the folks at home. He has been In the
Senate ten years, and his present tern
VIII expire IN 1909
The Senator's deafness has bothered
| him not a little. II was the new-fangleC
/ electric ear trumpet controlled Jointly by
! him and Senator Pettus that kept Senate
employees on a stu hunt for two days last
! session. Two or three years ago the
| correspondent Of a New Orleans paper
/ sent in his card 90 Mr.. McEnery anC
/ waited for him IN the Marble Room. Tn,
/ Senator came out What course shall
YOU pursue with reference TO the CubaI
/ reciprocity treaty?" asked the newspaper
man. The Senator, with a disguised look
| reached In his pocket. fshed out a cigar
| handed il to the astoBished correspondent
1 turned on his heel, and ambled back into
/ the chamber. That fellow Blank GER
! tainly has cheek " he conhded % hi,
/ colleague. Senator Foster He calleC
me clear out into the Marble Room L
/ ask for a cigar"
/ One time while sitting in the lobby OF
! the Metropolitan Hotel Senator Nc
/ Emery was iectUring a young friend OF
/ the evils Of intemperance. Don't drinI
/ liquor" he said MY life would hav,
/ been whole lot different If il hadn't beer
/ for liquor"
why. you've had all the honors that
any man ought 20 expect. said the younG
/ friend You've been governor, Senator
a member OF the Louisiana Suprem,
/ Court, and"
Yes, yes; know all about that" said
! the Senator. sadly. But II I had never
taken drink l might have been a colone
/ in the Confederate army"