Theresultwasthenicknameofthe``OldWhiteHossofSchoharie，’’andareputationforsimplicityandhonestywhichmadehimforashorttimegovernoroftheState。
Astorythentoldofhimrevealssomethingofhischaracter。BeinginformedthatBishopHughesofNewYorkwascomingtoAlbany，andthatitwouldbewelltotreathimwithespecialcourtesy，thegovernorpreparedhimselftobemorethangracious，and，onthearrivalofthebishop，greetedhimmostcordiallywiththewords，``Howdoyoudo，Bishop;Ihopeyouarewell。HowdidyouleaveMrs。Hughesandyourfamily？’’Tothisthebishopanswered，``Governor，Iamverywell，butthereisnoMrs。Hughes;bishopsinourchurchdon’tmarry。’’
``Goodgracious，’’answeredthegovernor，``youdon’tsayso;howlonghasthatbeen？’’Thebishopmusthavethoroughlyenjoyedthis。HisIrishwitmadehimquickbothatcomprehensionandrepartee。DuringadebateontheschoolquestionaleadingPresbyterianmerchantofNewYork，Mr。HiramKetchum，madeaveryearnestspeechagainstseparateschoolsforRomanCatholics，andpresently，turningtoBishopHughes，said，``Sir，werespectyou，sir，but，sir，wecan’tgoyourpurgatory，sir。’’
Tothisthebishopquietlyreplied，``Youmightgofurtherandfareworse。’’
Anotherleadingfigure，butontheWhigside，wasaStatesenator，commonlyknownas``Bray’’Dickinson，todistinguishhimfromD。S。DickinsonwhohadbeenasenatoroftheUnitedStates，andacandidateforthePresidency。``Bray’’DickinsonwasamostearnestsupporterofMr。Seward;staunch，prompt，vigorous，andreallydevotedtothepublicgood。Onestoryregardinghimshowshisrough—and—readiness。