New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-19


F. H. Hiscock, OF the Court OF Appeals
Of this state, Is his nephew.
Frank Hiscock came of hardy stock-a
mingling Of English and Scottish blood,
handed down through ancestors who set
tied in Central New York when that coun-
try was a wilderness. cleared II and
planted it, lie was born at Pompey
Onondaga County, on September 6, 1894
His father was prosperous farmer, but
the youth showed little inclination for the
tasks of the farm, preferring reading and
study. He went to the Pompcy Hill Acad-
envy, and after finishing the course there
entered the law offices of an elder brother
at Tuly, Onondaga County. After he was
admitted TO the bar in 1866, he formed a
partnership with his brother. In 1858 the
firm moved to Syracuse. His brother, l.
Harris, was a Democrat and Frank first
Joined that party. In 1856 he took part in
the organization OF the Democratic free
soil' element In Syracuse TO support FIRE.
mont, which contributed greatly to a Re-
publican majority OF nearly 1000 In Onon-
daga County. In the ensuing Presidential
election Mr. Hiscock acted with the Re-
publicans and virtually lived his entire
political life thereafter in the ranks of
that party.
He was elected District Attorney OF his
county in 1850. serving until the end Of
1863. Four years later he was q member
of the State Constitutional Convention,
taking q prominent part in the debates
and committee work OF that body. In 1872
Mr.. Hiscock, with many other Republi-
cans, supported Horace Greeley for the
Presidency. He himself that year was
nominated for Congress by the liberal
Republicans and Democrats of the sd
District, including Onondaga and Cortland
counties. This was a Republican strong
hold, but so many of the liberals voted
the Greeley ticket that Mr. Hiscock was
defeated by only the narrowest of mar
gins. In 1876 he vas sent as delegate to
the Republican National Convention.
Without seeking the honor, he also was
ramed as the Republican candidate for
Congress In his district and was elected.
There he was appointed member of the
Committee on Elections. The Bedford
Patterson contest for the right to repre-
sent Colorado brought out Mr.. Hiscock's
first speech, which was so clear and
strong that he won a prominent place in
the House. He was chosen one OF the Re
publican members of the Potter committee
which investigated the title Of President
Hayes. In the next Congress he was
named as a member of the Appropriations
in ba nd
crosses was urgec by many for Speaker,
though General Keller, OF Ohio, who had
the administration support was elected.
Mr.. Hiscock appointed chairman of
the Appropriations Committee, and there
did much good work. He took an impor-
tant part in the work which produced the
tariff commission bill, the anti Mormon
bill and the bill for the reorganization Of
rational banks.
In the 18th Congress Mr.. Hiscock was a
member of the Committee on Ways and
Means, and successfully attacked Mr..
Morrison's horizontal tariff reduction bill.
In the 18th Congress he closed the debate
on the bill for the free coinage Of silver,
speaking for the honest money men, and
largely through his eXertions the bill was
defeated. When a caucus was called OF all
the members of the Fouse Of Representa-
tiyes who were in favor Of the bill against
oleomargarine, Mr.. Hiscock was chosen
chairman OF the meeting. He took charge
of tho bill, succeeded in stopping SIAM
pede against IT, and bulldozed the men
opposing 1t when they attempted to Kill
il by filibustering. Finally, by diplomatic
management. he passed the bill. When II
was returned from the Senate, by further
skilful maneuvring he secured final vote
upOn II and passed IL.
In January 1857. while he still was a
member OF the House. Mr.. Hiscock was
chosen by the New York Legislature to be
United States Senator, and on March OF
that year he took his seat for the full
term of six years. He was appointed to
the committees on Finance, Interstate
Commerce, Coast Defences and Patents
end the special committees on the reports
of the Pacific Railroad commissioners ana
the Presidents message In 1888 Senator
Hiscock was mentioned as possible can
d.date for the Presidency, but gave the
idea no encouragement. An article print
cd In THE North American Review at
that time, after speaking in detail OF his
work in Congress, said:
"Mr. Hiscock is a statesman and poll
,ician of the sort that fourished In the
earlier days Of the republic, when sobriety
Of Judgment, a quiet fidelity to his present
duties. adaptation to the higher planes OF
controversy, talent for command when
the time came and Discrimination TO an
,cipate the obligation were among the
qualities required of public men"
After his retirement from the Senate
Mr. Hiscock resumed the practice OF law
ga the senior member of the firm or His
cock. Doheny, Williams & Cowle. OF
syracuse. He was a director Of the State
Rank OF Syracuse, the Syracuse Savings
Rank and other corporations, and was
rambler of the Union League and Repub-
ucan clubs Of this city. He was married
On November 1859. 10 Miss Cornelia King
NJ Tully. N. Y, who bore him two sons
Albert King Hlscock and F1delio KING
HIscock, both OF whom went West and
engaged In business.
80, -anrn nrHn