St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-03-18
S. J. TILDEN.
A Southern Editor calls on him at
At Gramercy Park.
And finds Him in fair Health but Opposed to
the cold Ticket"

of the South, had two hours conversation
at Gramercy Park last Friday with Mr.. Tild-
en-. Mr. Howell brought letters of introduce
ton from Senator Brown and Mr.. Randall
and he telegraphs to the Constitution, the fol-
lowing account of his reception and inter
view:
NOT A CANDIDATE
The attitude of Mr.. Tilden before the COM
ing Democratic Convention has been the
subject of much discussion and comment by
both parties. 1t is generally conceded that
were he to allow the use of his name his
nomination would become certainty. 1t
would be practically unanimous. Therefore
his own views on the subject have been
watched for with much interest. On this
question he to-day expressed himself to the
Constitution correspondent, and his words are
positively that he will not allow the use OF MS
name before the convention. 10 accertaln
his views for the Constitution, I to-day called
at his New York home. Gramercy Park is
probably the best-known park of its size in
the world. It only occupies couple OF
squares at that and in itself aosolutly
nothing would recommend it for in
terest or attraction.
49,
face, and few trees, evidently the worse af-
ter the rigors of winter, lend a slight
charm to what would be other wise an almost
painfully vacant spot. But the widespread
notoriety of the place is due not to the park
itself, but to its surroundings, and more par
ticularly to the fact that the most prominent
of these is the house of Samuel j. Tilden.
FROM THE DooRMAT TO PARLoR.
A most ordinary observer can at once
point out this mansion when he understands
that he wants the handsomest structure on
the square. 1t was thus that 1 easily found
it to-day, its carved brown-stone front
standing in magnificent grandeur over its
less imposing neighbors. Just at the top OF
the wide stone steps small mat with "15
Gramercy Park' locates the place, and a
step further, as the bell is rung, large one
is noticed almost covering the marble floor
of the vestibule, and bearing the simple
name 'sSamuel J. Tilden,n giving conclu-
sive proof of the fact that was at the portals
of the Sage of Gramercy Park. l was ush-
cred in the parlor, and while as l supposed
my candidature for admission into the pres
ence of the great statesman was being con-
sidered, was left to admire the magnificent
equipment of the room in which l sat- A
marble bust of the Ex-Governor adorns the
farthest corner from the door, and diagonal
Iva most Observation-Disclosures statuet of
Flora Two cases on the sides of an elabor-
ately-carved mantel of satinwood are well
filed with volumes, mostly such as are to be
found in parlor, and numberless pieces of
bric-a-brac cover both cases and mantel.
The walls are beautifully frescoed, and in
rich conformity arc the furniture and we'll
worn velvet carpet.
IN THE PRESENCE.
was alone for few minutes, and won
dered what was the real condition of the
man who had been so generally pictured as
being at DEATHS door. 1 placed myself in
the attitude of the thousands whose concep-
tions have been made wholly from report.
necessarily, therefore expected to have
carried to the bedside of an inv lid, or to
find him ensconced in the easy chair of a par
alytic. Imagine my surprise then, on hear
ing footsteps in the hallway, to see as !
turned Mr.. Tilden himself advancing towards
me. True, his step was not characterized
with the easy movements of one in his prime,
nor, on the other hand, did it strike me as
being more feeble than could be expected from
one who had turned his three-score and ten.
The nervous prostration which life of exer-
ton had caused showed itself i'll the tremor
of his hands, but his eyes, the windows of
his brain, were far more clear and steady
than those of nine-tenths of the men who
have as vet but turned their sixties. He
wore a plain cloth suit, his collar fitted close
" around his neck, his hair was brushed
back from his forehead, and, as he leaned
towards me and said, "You come to see me
from the CONSTITUTIONS felt as replied in the
affirmative, when / saw his calm and steady
glance, that the mag nitude of the mind over
Swallowed even the frail body which held it.
LISTENING TO THE WHISPERS.
The report of his brother
Henry's death, at New Lebanon, had reached
him but this morning and though his voice
was scarcely above a whisper, yet it carried
with it the emotion which filled him. He
spoke tenderly of his brother, and, though
his death had been expected, yet it shocked
him. / sat near him as he spoke, that L
might catch his words, for his utterance was
feeble and scarcely audible at short distance
through some trouble with the throat. But
the comparatively strong man whom 1 sat
before had agreeably surprised me in that he
moved with ease, certainly betraying not the
characteristics of a confirmed invalid. His
conversation was quick, and he seemed to
take much interest in the subjects of which
he spoke, ''No, l am not so bad as l have
been pictured" said he in reply to my ex-
preston Of surprise as to his health" l am
feeble and Frustrated from a life of exertion,
but my doctors are positive that my vital Or
gans are perfectly sound. o, no, 1 am be-
ing made far worse than really am"
HE IS AGAINST THE OLD TICKET.
touched politics incidentally and told him
of the strong sentiment in the south for his
denomination. 1t was almost humorous as
he leaned to me and, smiling, said: ''We
are all against the odd ticket in this house. "
''But the general verdict of the party now
seems to point to certainty of its renomin-
alton at Chicago"
eyes, and 1 appreciate it; but will not
allow the use of my name. know that re-
formed the politics of New York ten years
ago. was more able then than now. 1t
would be herculean task to undertake to
reform matters now of the general govern
ment. After twenty years of misrule and
Encouragement corruption has become
fixed, and the most vigorous efforts will be
necessary to eradicate it. I don't feel that
my condition would allow me to cope with
it. In my letter four years ago 1 stated why
would not allow the use of my name. 1t
was discredited. The same reasons now
urge; they have become stronger, for am
four years older and am more inirm now
than then. would urge that the idea be
discontinued, for it is not right that should
undertake to do that which am physically
unable to do.''
DISCUSSING CANDIDATES.
''Whom, then, do you consider the most
available man for the Democracys"
He slowly shook his head as he replied:
swell, don't know. Hoadly is good
man; his strength in the Western States
would add much to his chances of success.
With The German vote he is very popular,