The Washington herald., 1914-07-18
HISTORY BUILDERS.
A Political Coup Which Blasted a
Career.
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Career.
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By DIR. =. ). EDWARDS.
The late Frank Hiseock gained greater
noteriety as a member Of the once-con-
spicuous. but now-forgotten, big Four
OF New York State than was brought
about by his service in the United States
Senate. or his earlier leadership In the
House Of Representatives. He was one
of the quartet which made the nomina-
tion Of Benjamin. Harrison for President
In 1883 possible. The other three members
Of the so-eailed big Four were Thomas
c. Piatt,- not then the supreme boss OF
his party in New York State Warner
Miller, and Chauncey NJ. Depew. All OF
these served at one time or another in
the United States Senate. Miller was
the successor Of Thomas c. Platt. taking
the seat In the Senate which Piatt re-
signed in May. 1881. He was also to be
the candidate Of his party for governor
in lsss Depew and Platt were afterward
twice elected as United States Senators
and both served full terms.
Hiscock was not especially gratified
that he shbuld have been distinguished
by the naming OF him as one OF the big
Four" The name applies to these men
because they were elected as delegates
at-large from New York 10 the Repub-
lican national convention OF lsSs
Shortly after Mr. Piatt was returned
to the Senate for the second time,
chatted> with him for an hour at the Fifth
Avenue hotel in New York. He was &C.
cupying his favorite seat, which became
widely known aa"Amen Corner" asked
the Senator what Mr. Hiscock was doing
saying that he seemed to have lapsed
into obscurity. as Warner Miller did
after his defeat for governor.
The Senator SCENE dto be inclined to
indulge in a little reminiscent conversa-
tion. as I discovered from q character
istic mannerism which always Indicated
that he was in good spirits. He began
gently and to tap or stroke the back OF
my hand with his own while talking
Il suppose Frank Hiscock is taking
things easy" he said. He was naturally
disposed to be a little indolent. IF he
nd the tremedous energy that was
characteristic Of James G. BLAZING he
would have had a great career.
'Hiscock never fully got over his
surprise. as well as his disappointment,
when he was defeated at the Republican
caucus in the fall Of 1852 for the nomina-
ton for Speaker. He never knew exact
ly how II happened. He never was able
to understand fully the extraordinary
brilliant and sudden piece Of politics
which was played by Don Cameron
which resulted in the nomination or
General Keifer for Speaker. Had His
cock been elected. think he would have
had q great career. He was gifted with
one very fine qualification You may
remember that he was esteemed the
handsomest man in either house Of Con-
gress. 1t was a dignifed and manly
quality, not in any way effeminate He
knew how to pose. / think he knew that
visitors in the gallery OF the house were
attracted to him because they noticed
that among such a great body OF plain
looking men there was a man OF superb
manly beauty. He also had the psysique
which appropriately supplemented his
strikingly handsome features He pos
sessed a good deal OF tact. and knew how
to avoid making enemies. so that had he
been elected he would first Of all have
been very conspicuous for his unusual
personal appearance and charm OF man
ner. and would have called upon his re-
serve powers OF industry and energy. SO