The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-05
PRESIDENT ARTHUR AS A NEW YORKER
Democratic, UnPretentious Gentleman
Who Has MANY Friends.
New York Letter in PhiIadeIphia Press.

New York Letter in Philadelphia Press.
There are few figures better known in this
city than that of President Arthur, but he is re-
membered here. not as our "aristocratic Presi
dent, but as one Of the most democratic. free
and easy, unpretentious Of individuals. His po-
sltion here for many years before he became
President would have developed this trait if he
had not possessed it by nature. To be the sue
cessfui local political manager OF a minority
party in great city like this, casting over
100000 votes in presidential years. requires o
good many qualifications happily combined, He
must be, as Arthur was, not merely aftable, but
sociable with everybody. He must possess, as
Arthur did, the happy faculty of not only Undue
ing others to do as he wishes but that more
uncommon faculty of convincing them that they
are having their own way all the time lie must
not only be ready at all times to see every new
conner without ceremony but be able also, as
Arthur was, TO put visitor at once at ease and
to hastily dismiss him with the idea in his head
that in going tho visitor is actually comforting a
favor on his host
A lady once reported to me the result of mis-
sion on which she had gone to Mr.. Arthur with
a note of introduction from me- This occurred
long before he was President.
Isn't he so niceh she said on returning "He
spoke so pleasantly bowed me to the door when
| came away, and opened it for me-"
well, but what did he promise to dor l
asked.
'Oh, nothing! He refused me; said it was
impossible as he was bound by obligations;
nice about it,
The report was not unexpected, for had seen
Arthur treat much more sanguine and preten
tious claimants for political favor in the same
delicate way.
once heard Sheridan Shook say to gentle
man who was urging the appointmentsof man
to place at Arthur's disposal, which place
Shook wanted for friend of his own "Well, "
he said, you beat me; Arthur put your man on
and he Democrat tool"
And your manl' asked the other.
He took him off to make room for yours, "
said Shook, and he was a good Republican
too! But never mind added Shook. Gar
thur told my man to wait, it was all right"
And both the man and his hacker were
satisfied.
This faculty of satisfying everyb body was some
thing of Arthurs strength when he was the local
more harmony out of the local leaders than any
man who was ever in control of the organiza
ton; and the proof of his popularity is that he
has solid delegation of them, not
withstanding there are now wide differ
ences between them as to local policy.
This local strength may prove national weak
ness. for some Republican papers have ridi
culed and others abused the local Republican
leaders in this city into notoriety which, in
many cases is undeserved. There are number
of these among the Arthur delegates to Chica
go; for instance John J. OBrien, John H.
Brady, J. ID. Lawson, Robert G. McCord, Jacob
NJ. Patterson, Bernard Bigin, John r. Lydecker
l know them all personally, and they are a very
clever set of fellows as politicians run, and far
smarter than the average. Yet a hundred miles
from this city some of them are regarded among
country folks as monsters of political iniquity.