The Washington herald., 1910-10-21

form. He FLASHED with the Republicans
IN the assembly and had trouble over ex-
else legislation
Mr.. Hill and President Cleveland occu-
pied the political arena OF their party as
supposed rivals for many years. Follow
ing the defeat OF Mr.. Cleveland in 1888.
many New York politicians disappointed
with lack Of patronage and displeased
with MI Cleyelands uncompromislng
ways, rallied TO the Hill standard.
Il am a Democrat was the keynote OF
a speech made by Mr. Hin In Brooklyn
while Mr. Cleveland was IN the White
House. 1t was understood by the public
In general that the governor of New York
had thrown down the gauntlet to the
President Of the United States, and by
the Democratic politicians in particular
that Mr. HIN believed with President
Jackson that ito the vlctors belong
the 'spoils."
In 1891 Mr.. Hill was elected to the
United States Senate, and from that time
for decade he was regarded as a Presi-
Dental aspirant In the Democratic con-
yention Of 1892 he had the support OF the
Democratic machine in New York. head
ed by Tammany. He was overwhelmingly
defeated by Mr.. Cleveland at the con-
vention.
While in the United States Senate Mr..
Hill was nominated for governor in 1894,
but was defeated by a plurality OF more
than 10000 Since that year the State
has not elected a Democratic governor.
While Senator Hill remained in WASH
netOn he was the acknowledged leader
Of his party. At the expiration OF his
term. however. I'm 1897, following his
practical bolt Of the candidacy of Viii
f. d.. IL.
year before he retired from active par
ticipation in party affairs, He has, how
ever. since then been delegate to both
national and State conventions.
In the national convention OF 1900 Mr..
Hill. who headed the New York State
delegation, while still an advocate OF
the gold platform. as against the West
ern demand for free silver, seconded
the nomination of Mr.. Bryan for the
Presidency. He took little or no interest,
however in the campaign, and the Bry
antics and silver!tes again charged him
with party treachery.
7 am a Democrat" which was the an
swer made by Senator Hin to questions
as 10 whether ne intended 10 support
Mr. Bryan Tor the Presidency in 1896.
has become an historic phrase. While
his Democracy was being questioned by
the BTyanites, he took little or no part
in the campaign OF either 1896 or 1900.
Il am a Democrat still-very still" was
the way in which he expressed his
opinion OF the second Bryan campaign.
In the campaign OF 1904 Mr. Hill took
conspicuous part in bringing about the
nomination OF AR Alton r. Parker. The
gOld-standard men were in complete CON
troll OF that convention. and although Mr..
Bryan gave his support to the ticket the
party differences were so great that SEN
ator Hill early acknowledged that success
OF the ticket was practically impossible.
Mr. Hil never married. In early life he
lived with relatives r. Elmira. Suisse
quently he kept bachelor quarters in FL
mira, in the executive mansion IN Al
bany. in Washington. and at Wolfert's
ROOst.
AS lawyer he ranked we'll 10 the fore
in the Bar OF the State OF New York. He
was president OF the New York State Bar
Association in 1856 and 1887. While IN the
United States Senate he argued some Of
the most important appeals heard by the
Court OF Appeals IN Albany and before
the United States Supreme Court in
Washington, He frequently represented
New York City in appeals in the big
criminal cases. The Molineux case was
one in which he appeared for the city Of
New York.