Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-04-01
BY NO MEANS A WRECK.
Samuel ]. Tilden Far from Being
Old and DeCre2id.
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE STATESMAN.
4 Love the Democratic Party, But
Think | Have Made All the
Sacrifices NecessaYin
Its Behalf.

HARRISBURG, PA, March 31.-Ihe Iele-
grsm contains an interview had by P. c.
Bacon, law partner Of Lieutenant Governor
Hill, of New York, with Samuel ]. Tilden,
in which Tilden criticises some OF the dec
larations OF Secretary Of State Stenger as TO
his physical condition. The correspond.
ent says:
His voice alone corresponded to the
prevalent description of personal chsrac.
teristics. Never strong, it Is now very
foebls. ny reasnn of a debility Of the vocal
cords, and at times scarcely rises above
whisper. His vision and hearing were
msnifestly acute, and he talked very freely
for nearly an hour, discussing with his old.
time terseness and force men and public
affairs. Much OF the conversation it would
be improper to put in print, but many
can be no objection to repeating. Point
ing TO some forty or fifty visiting cards
lying upon the table he said:
These have all come this morning.
NY Friends do NOS Forget Me
but cannot see all OF them. 1t makes
me feel sad that cannot do so, but am
getting old. My private business is large
and constantly growing. 1t takes up much
OF ny time. want to get OUT, but l
cannot"
In this connection it may be said that
Mr. Tildeu's fortune is now estimated at
over $iON0,OUU, and all the details of its
care are attended TO by him personally.
Aliudipg to the fact that many different
persons cali 20 see him and enjoy his hos
pitslity, be said
The other day a former member Of
Congress from Pennsylyanis, who Is now
connected with Governor Pattisons ad-
ministrstion, in that State, called 10 see
me. He is q warm political friend Of mine,
ard talked with him freely. In few
DAYS al account Of his visit was published
which was
Filled with Many Errors.
Why, he said, was weak, emaciated and
psrslyzed that my frame was iisshless and
that The skin hung loosely on my bjle',
said the old gentleman, smiling. IA fact
am nearly as tleshy as ever | WAS.
weigh l27 pounds, which has been my
normal weight for years. 1t is sbolt what
| weighed when | was Governor. | never
weighed over li9 in my life" >. =,
Speaking of his brother Henry, who died
about two weeks ago, and who Vas very
dear to him, he said
THE last time / saw Henry before his
death we parted on the steps OF my house,
and his last words to me were; Sam,
wish you had half my strength, and l
jokiDgIy replied:
Il May Outlive You Yet"
In truth, the lack Of time and space
alone prevents my telling many interesting
facts which | noted down from his conver-
salion. AS We rose to 60 said: 'OoVern'
or, what about the Presiency2 There
seems to be nearly unanimous desire 10
your party that you accept l." "''''na
lion " The smile passed from as
he replied:
II don't know what more can sny ihan
I have said already. My letter Of 1851 fully
expresses my views. was elected in 1876
and with that am satisfied. have passed
the prime of life. may live one year, |
NAV live ten, but whatever years are
in store for me, be they few or many, !
wish 10 enjoy. think have right TO go
upon
The Retired List,
and think have a right to remain there.
| am hsppy with my business, my BOOKS,
my farm ut Greystone, my houses anu my
friends. am not seeking the nomination /;
more than that | don't desire 1t, and my
name shall not be discussed In connection
Win the eubJcSI
What if all shades OF opinion in your
party, your enemies even more strongly
Than your friends, insist that you lead the
party in the coming contest and Will not
lake no for an answer
Again the old gentleman's face showed
shade G sadness as he replied: That CON
tineency, trust, will never rise.
Love the Democratic Party,
Iwould do almost anything TO aid in al.
vancing its principles, but have ma'fe all
The sacrifices that are NECESSARY in It's De
half"
And so, with few words OF psrtioS, J
left. But before going he gave me re-
cent photograph, q representation OF which
will soon appear. The impression produced
upon me by the details Of the conversation
~; Hr TilIeB that can make pubic Is
- ret fear the burdens OF be.
" - snd.Gste for the Presidency bali
... he does the burdens OF being
lf.,s.dent. While be has not and will
not state authoritatively that he is not
candidate under any circumstances, every
remark and every act on his part convinces
listner that such is his intention. Mr.
TiIdep's sdyersepess to becoming a candi'
date does not arise from his fears OF being
unable 10 esrry on the campaign or any
doubts 10 his success. You can see in every
word and move be Is confident ne can be
elected il he runs.