Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-07-18

Vorys was one of Mr.. Tafts chief
campaign managers in the contest for
the nomination for the Presidency.
Back in the Lancaster Gays Hiies and
Vorys were close friends, and we have
the word of an Ohio correspondent
that, when Hilles left Lancaster, one
OF those who wept him off at the sta
ton was Yorys."
When the campaign for the nominal
ton of Taft was well under way. yorys
needed some information about condi-
lions in New York, New Jersey, and
some of the New England States, and
he asked Hilles to get it for him
Hilles made a good job of it. He did
seme more of the same sort of work
after Mr.. Taft was nominated and
While the campaign for his election
was in progress. He came to know
Mr.. Taft, and commended himself
highly to the President-elect. The net
result was the tender of the Treasury
post In the spring of 1910 Mr.. Hilles
could have been Surveyor of the Port
of New York. He was strongly recon-
mended for the place by a number of
New York Congressman, and Mr.. Taft
told him he could have it if he wanted
it. Before Mr.. Hilles was asked to be@
come Mr.. Taft's secretary he had al
ready arranged to leave the Treasury
Department and go into a business
partnership in New York AT the
urgent request of the President this
arrangement was terminated by Mr.
Hilles's prospective partners to allow
him to remain at Washington in his
new capacity. Nobody else was con-
sidered. While in the Treasury De-
partment he had been of assistance to
Mr.. Taft in working out a number of
problems of politics.
As the Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury in charge of the erection of
public buildings and the choice and
purchase of sites for public buildings
he had occasion to come into the most
intimate contact with almost every
member of the House and Senate The
choice of sites for public buildings is
frequently freighted with political pos
sibilities for the members of Congress
most directly concerned. Mr. Hilles
conducted this tedious and trying bust
ness with such circumspection and inn
partiality as TO make many friends
These friends will stand him in good
stead in his new work
In the White House Mr. Hilles was an
instant success. 1t soon became apparent
that he was to be not only secretary to
the President. but Mr. Taft's personal
political manager. The second job soon
became more important than the first.
Mr. Tafts campaign for denomination
was started Mr. Hilles actively man
n rcd uyith hot
ness and success was shown at Chicago
last month. 1t was almost inevitable,
after the action taken there, that Mr..
Hilles should continue his work IN a
larger and broader field and manage the
national campaign. In managing Mr..
Tafts denomination campaign from the
White House Hilles came In contact with
and became known to most of the Re-
publican politicians in the United States
He has won their confidence and re-
spect. He can bring Mr.. Taft as far
along the road to the desired goal as
anybody who could be shosen. His
choice will have an influence in putting
the Republican campaign this summer
on a higher. cleaner plane than would
have resulted had any of the old poIiti-
cal hacks who We're under consideration
been chosen. Hilles knows the game of
national politics; he knows the chief per-
sonaiities who figure in 1t. He is compe-
tent to estimate their abilities and their
shortcomings.
Quiet and Unhurried.
Hilles in the White House has devel-
oped into the Cortelyou type of seere-
tary He is quiet, unhurred, civil
spoken, with an easy manner and a low
and notably pleasant voice. No man
who came to Washington with the Taft
administration made more friends and
in an unpretentious way a stronger inn
press on those who came in frequent
contact with him. He is not SNOWY or
fiashy in his manner or methods. nor
has he about him that air of briskness
which accords so Ill with the normal
Washington move. Men who meet him
go away with the impression that he is
sound and steady as a monument He
transacts business quietly He listens
well. talks simply, and above all things
is not a self.advertiser. The clerks In
the Treasury department, and in the
White House like him, and when de-
partmental clerks like a chief there must
be some of the right stuff in him. 1t is
an acid test. The time Hilles has spent
in Washington has broadened him and
given him a standing and equipment
that win be of value. not only this sum
mer. but after the campaign is closed
and he seeks other fields of activity.
A great many people will look conf
IDENTIFY this summer to seeing Mr. Taft's
campaign so managed as to reflect credit
upon not only its manager and it's cam
didate, but upon the whole political avo-
eation.-N. Y. Post
CONDENSED DISPATCHES.
Guarded nv tha lnra1 sheriff 40 man