The Washington herald., 1908-06-14

and the exodus alarmed the Republican
leaders IN the Bay State. They deter
mined 10 give encouragement 10 the young
man in politics.
Young mems Republican clubs were or
ganized in various parts OF the State and
the leaders in the young mems movement
were given a recognition that had here
tofore been reserved only for those that
wore the badge Of long and honorable
service. II was Just at this time. when
the party in Massachusetts was breaking
away from its moss-covered traditions
and tendencies. that young Hitchcock en-
tered Harvard and cast his first vote. He
had done a lot Of reading on political sub
jects prior 10 entering Harvard. He had
notion he would like politics. He was
soon enlisted IN the young mems move
ment
Won His Spurs Early.
From 1857 10 1891 the young man was in
Harvard. IN the four years he was in
tensely active in Boston local politics. For
recreation. he won laurels with the box
ing gloves. and pushed forward the young
mems Republican movement in Boston.
He did all the things that a newer OF wood
and drawer n water in precinct and
ward politics IS supposed to do. He
worked. moreover. with enthusiasm. and
he carried on his studies IN politics with
the reinforcement Of HIS practical expert
ence in the precinct and the ward. He
was Jealous enough 70 win the post of
precinct committeeman. He did not want
office. lie helped collect campaign funds
He canvassed his precinct and he learned
how to get votes. This, after all, Is the
essential knowledge at the bottom Of an
politics I'm the republic. He learned how
10 capture a Caucus, preferably by the
gentle method Of persuasion Of a few
leading spirits in the locality. but by
those drastic methods known 20 municipal
campaigning, II necessary. He did so
well in his precinct that he was made
ward committeeman. and he was repeat
edly honored by being selected as dele
gate 10 city and State conventions. He
thus formed the acquaintance Of the
leading politicians Of Boston and Of the
State, an acquaintance that has since
been valuable As another evidence OF
his zeal he was instrumental in the for
nation Of the Young Mems Republican
Club Of Harvard.
II Is not generally known that Mr..
Hitchcock had this invaluable experience
in practical politics in Boston. In this
school he developed his talents for organi-
Zati9n. and It is because Of this expert
ence that he has been enabled to reach
out as he has and take a leading part In
campaigning on national scale When
he graduated from Harvard in 1891 he
read thesis on the Australian ballot and
other ballot systems.
When he left Harvard Mr.. Hitchcock
came to Washington and was made chief
Of the division Of foreign markets Of the
Department Of Agriculture, He studied
biology, politics. and took a law course
at Columbia University. He kept I'm close
touch with political developments in his
own State.
Was Pupil of CorteIyOu.
From the Department OF Agriculture he
went 10 the Department Of Commerce and
Labor. He was chief clerk under George
B. CortelyOu. and helped materially I'm
the work Of organizing that department.
He found IN Cortelyou a man who was
not only q believer in systematization.
but who had had valuable experience in a
wide field as private secretary TO Presi-
dent Mckinley. Cortelyou liked him and
trusted him. lie had to travel all over
the country In connection with the organl-
Zation OF the new department He i'm
proved the opportunity to form wide ac-
quaintance with public men. He had re-
solved on a political career. He studied
situations in States and localities wherev-
er he went He took his vacation in the
West, finding a vast pleasure in outdoor
life, and while riding on horseback
through different regions. as he is fond
Of doing. or otherwise travelling. meeting
Federal and State officials. politicians.
newspaper editors. and public men gener-
ally. He got an intimate acquaintance
with political situations all over the Unit
ed States and the result was that when
he was made assistant secretary of tho
Republican National Committee four years
ago, when Mr.. Cortelyou was chairman.
be was in position to do valuable work
for the committee.
After the 1904 campaign Mr.. Hitchcock
was made the First Assistant Postmaster
General under Cortelyou. Here. again. he
had remarkable opportunities for gaining
insight into political conditions and situa-
tions. The selection Of thousands Of post
masters all over the United States rested
with him. His office at the Post-oflce
Department was rarely without the pres
ence Of a member Of Congress or Senator
seeking 10 untangle a postmastership
fight In this Office he widened his knowl-
edge OF the political conditions in practl-
cally every Congressional district in the
United States
Makes Friends Easily.
Mr. Hitchcock is lil1able man. He left
a good impression on hosts Of influential
public men and politicians who formed
his acquaintance when he was First As
sistant Postmaster General or in the De
partment OF Commerce and Labor or con-
nected with the national committee as as
sstant secretary In the active manage
ment OF the 1904 campaign. He did what
he said he would do and was liked and
trusted. When Secretary Cortelyou was
regarded as a candidate Mr.. Hitchcock
was widely believed to be laying the
groundwork Of an organization for him.
Ills friends denied this and said he was