St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-08-21
THE KERNEL OF TRUTH.
Rev. DR.. Twining Investigates the
Affair, and Writes A Letter Re-
viewing the Subject and COM
mending the Governor.

The Rev. Kinsley Twining, D. D., who has
been investigating the Buffalo scandal for the
Independent writes to the newspaper as fol-
lows:
ssThc kernel OF truth in the various charges
against Mr.. Cleveland is this, that when he
was younger than he is now he was guilty of
an Illicit connection; but the charge, as
brought against him, lacks the elements of
truth in these substantial points. There was
no seduction, no adultery, no breach of
PROMISE no obligation of marriage, but there
was at that time culpable irregularity of life,
living as he was as bachelor, for which it
was proper and is proper that he should suf-
fer. After the primary offense, which is not
to be pallated in the circle for which write,
his conduct was singularly honorable, show
ing no attempt to evade responsibility, and
doing all he could to meet the duties involved,
OF which marriage was certainly but one.
Everything here was eminently to his credit
under circumstances which would have
seemed to many men of the world to justify
him in other conduct than that which he ac-
copied as his duty. There was no abduction
only proper legal action under circumstances
which demanded it.
The facts which have been blown up into
case of kidnapping are that the child being
neglected and in danger of death, Mr.. Cleve-
land took into his confidence Judge Burrows,
citizen whose high character is clearly
enough proved by the fact that he was then
the trustee of the Protestant orphan asylum.
Under his persuasion the child was surren-
dered by the mother to the orphan asylum,
and regular papers, resigning her parental
rights made out. The entry in the books is
that on March 9, 1876, Oscar Halbin, born
Sept. IA, 1874, was received from his mother,
Maria P. Haplin, at the board rate of SIS per
week, which presumably, Mr.. Cleveland was
to pay through Judge Burrows. Finding that
in the surrender of the child she had lost her
claim against Mr.. Cleveland, Mrs. Halpin
endeavored to recover him, and finally, as
the asylum record gives it, April %, 1876, he
was ''stolen" by her. In the mothers hands
his situation grew more alarming than ever.
The eX-chief and the officers in charge agreed
in representing to NE that something had to
be done. Judge Burrows then directed the
child to be returned to the asylum, where he
is again recorded July 10, 1876, as received
from. AS to the mother, who was out
Watts says that he acted on the right of per-
sonal Judgment, usually assumed by officers
in such cases, and took her not to the COM
mon lookup, but to the more private and
less rigorous Roman Cathqolic Providence
asylum, for both lunatics and inebriates,
where she was placed to recover. She was
not incarcerated. She wa not entered for
permanence. The motive was not to hide q
troublesome woman, nor to suppress scan
dial, but to provide for child abandoned and
in danger OF death, and for a woman out of
her head by drink, and Threatening to throw
her child out of the window.
''There remain the worse and damning
charges of general ibertinism and drunken
ness. say distinctly, after abundant in
quiry, that they are false. The are, I
believe, the product of the Imagination of
stews. Every attempt to trace them led
back into the merest gossip of saloons and
brothels.
son the other hand, my inquiry of the
noblest Christian men in the city-especially
in the legal professionalism above reproach
men who will vote for him and men who
will vote and speak against him for political
reasons, men who have known Cleveland
most intimately, who have been his partners
in business or his nearest neighbors, men
who know him by day and by night, brings
the unanimous report that it Is utterly i'm
possible that such reports can be true. He
is man of true and kind heart, frank and
open, so intensely devoted to his business
duties that it is impossible that he should be
debauchee. He has the heartiest respect
of the best families in the city, who only re-
greet that he keeps himself so much out of the
society to which he would be welcome.
''There are some severe prejudices
against Mr. Cleveland in Buffalo. They
have their chief seat in the saloons against
whose tyranny his election to the mayaralty
was the protest of all good citizens of both
parties. They have not forgiven him for
their defeat. From the best sources of in
formation l received testimony of the strong
est character that Mr.. Cleveland is born
ruler of men, of the greatest independence
and honesty of character, a mtn who be-
lieves in reform to the bottom of his soul,
and has the independence to carry it out,
and man on whom the respou sibilities of
| office have rested with serious and solemn
weight. The men are very few who could
have received such testimonials to their eff
cheney aud conscien tiousness and independ-
ence in public duties as / heard given to
Mr.. Cleveland from the most influential and
trustworthy citizens Of Buffalo.
ssThe following letter written by Grover
| Cleveland is appended:
MAYORS OFFICE, BUFFALO, n. Y, !
Nov. z, 1882.
Ny DEAR BROTHER: / have just voted.
| sit here in the MAYORS Office alone, with the
exception of an artist from Frank Lesie's
newspaper, who is sketehing the Office. If
mother was here should be writing to her,
and feel as If it were time for me TO write
to some one who will believe what l write.
have been for sometime in the atmosphere
of certain success, so that have been sure
that / should assume the duties of the high
Office for which have been named. l have
| tried hard, in the light of this fact to prop
erly appreciate the responsibilities that will
rest upon me, and they are much, too much,
underestimate. But the thought that has
troubled me is: Can well perform my dut-
| les, and in such manner as to do some
good to the people of the,,state! / know there
is room for it, and | know that / am honest
and sincere in my desire to do well, but the
| question is whether l know enough to &C
| complish what / desire.
The social life which seems to await me
| has also been a subject of much anxious
thought. l have notion that can regu-
la e that very much as desire; and II can,
/ shall spend very little time in the purcl.
Ornamental part of the office. In point Of
fact, will tell you, first of all others, the
| policy intend to adopt, and that is, to make
the matter business engagement between
| the people of the state and myself, in which
| the obligation on my side is to perform The
| duties assigned me with an eye single to the
I INF r.f milo r a1oIl how M
/ idea of reelection or of any higher politica
preferment in my head, but be very thankful
and happy if can well serve one term al
the peoples governor. Do you know. that i
mother were alive / should feel SO mucl
Y bara oil fho11olf NJ ho