The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-09

JOHN BARR
EFT OF Albany, Chairman 81 the
Republican State Committee,
whose headquarters were at the
Fifth Avenue Hotel--and q table
In the dining room was reserved
at certain hours for the CHAIR
man and his associaEes and iIi-
vited friends.
1t was spacious ano irn2fes-
sive dining room, circailak III
shape, with lofty ceilins and gilt
tering chandeliers. II was located
on the second floor with one
large guest entrance from q par
lor-hall where an orchestra play
ed during the evening.
The position of Mr.. Hackett's
table commanded the eftIre
room. 1t was In direct line
with the entrance within ono rDw
of tables from the oppo5iia wall
of the circle-and from my seat
! could see the guests as hey
came in being greeted BY the
famous head-waiter, Tom Gay,
and his assistants and escorted
to their tables.
was young in those DAYS and
1t was very pleasant, for inst nee.
TO see our beloved Joe Jetferson
whom I may have seer Tie
night before In the charac III
Rip Van Wrinkle or Bob A
coming down the aisle will H|g
family, for breakfast, TAXI 4
table nearby and smiling a rat.
ing to the Charley Hackett taole
The Fifth Avenue Hotel was The
New York home Of the jeff ron
family, which at that time in
cluded, besides Mr.. and Mrs. JET
ferson-two grown-up sons add
q daughter (who were mem ers
OF their distinguished fat ii 4
company and q young son
about 10 or IL.
Ex-President
1t was interesting, too, on
casions, to see Ex-President b
jamin Harrison and his articu Z
cronies, Senator Proctor
General Tracy--whom the Chi r
ley Hackett table styled t}e
Three Musketeers' - paradi'n,
down the aisle to a table close IN
ours. Here, too, there would be on
exchange Of greetings--for the
all knew the Charley Hacket
crowd.
General Harrison was one G.
the ablest lawyers In the country
and the question Of what TO d.
with ex-presidents didn't bother
him. Senator Redfield Proctor, o.
Vermont, and General Benjamin,
r. Tracy, OF New York, had both
been In the Harrison cabinet,
and all were veterans Of the Owl
War. There was something very
fine in the close friendship Of The
three doughty old .musketetrs'
A great American statesman
who had a strong attraction fof
me at that time was Senator
John Sherman, brother OF the
famous General william Tecurn-
sch. And 1t was always good to
see Tom Gay escorting him to
his customary table. Tom had
often in years past escorted will
liam Tecunseh' TO Q seat In that
dining-room, before his death In
1891.
Senator Sherman
Senator John Sherman, who
had been Secretary Of the Treas
ury and who came near being
the Republican candidate foi
President when Garfield wal
nominated, was one of the finest
looking men ! ever saw. One
doesn't often speak Of a mans
face rs beautiful, but at the age
OF sixty John Shermari's face wa
beautiful. II was scholarly, noble
spiritual. 1t gave one q feeling Of
pride in the human race.
But Of course you can't always
rely upon looks, for the minister.
looking elderly gentleman who
resided at the Fifth, Avenue Hote
when the United States Senate
was not In session, to whom Q
stranger, troubled with his sins
would naturally seek for spiritua
aid--was none other than thu
much-cartooned and editorialiy.
roasted easy boss for whom tn,
faithful would be waiting dowr
In the amen corner OF the hote
lobby while the Hon. Thomas G
Platt dined with his wife at {
table not far from the Charlie,
Tiackett table The New Yorl
Senator was no ordinary maj
and though he was q past-mastel
IN political manipulation he pos
sessed very remarkable qualitie
OF leadership, was OF kindly dis
position and inspired his larg'
following with confidence ant
personal attachment. M
The easy boss could straigfltei
out tangies and get things dom
when everybody else had failed
such was the case IN the passag
Of the 0reater New York Bill Il
the state legislature. While tn
measure was under discussion
senator platt was IN EIorida
Chairman Hachett was n charg