St. Paul daily globe., 1884-09-02

never the faculty of accumulation. He
worked for others all his life, and yet for
himself he had no care for money. The
honorable performance of the work that came
to him to do seemed to be the only reward
for which he considered it worthy to strive.
He never looked to gains in fees as the
impulse to secure the establishment of the
rights of client. He was absolutely true to
one who placed his case in his handts with
out thought of remuneration. Indeed, he
was more likely to devote himselfto the cause
of poor men who could not afford to pay him
than to work for rich clients. Chatting with
one of Mr.. Cleveland's partners, says Mr..
Goodrich, this point came up in converse
tod, and Mr.. w. S. Bissell, the partner re-
marked:
81 am now closing up case of Cleveland's
which has been running on for years, du-
ring all which time he has paid all 1isburse-
meuts, such as costs Of entry, witness fees,
ETC., out of his own pocket, because the man
was too poor to meet these necessary expens-
es. And this is only one case out of many
that are here on our books"
'I have often told him. continued Mr..
Bissel, that he had no right to accept the
praises of the press and the public for his in
compatibility in Office, because it was moth
ing to the credit of a man who cares nothing
about money!
Mr.. Cleveland never acquires wealth be-
cause he had no desire for if. He coul
easily have done so, for his tastes have al
ways been simple, and his personal expenses
modest But he was ever liberal to a fault,
open hearted and generous to all in need,
or any one who deserved aid and encourage
ment In his practice he was always iudif-
ferent and careless as to his fees. His clients
had to offer him money. He never bore
hard upon his debtors. And all this without
pretence, simply, honestly, kindly.
AS SHERIFF OF ERIE COUNTY.
When Mr.. Cleveland was elected sheriff Of
Erie county, it was in a section where ma
jority Of the voters were of opposite politics
from his own. 1t was doubtless a surprise
to Mr. Cleveland, who had followed his usual
custom in avoiding active work in the can
vass, to find himself chosen to an Office
which had so long been the chief prize of the
Republican majority in the county, allotted
term after term to some party man, who
would use it for party benefit. But this re-
suit was strict and unmistakable tribute
to the worth of the character which he had
established for himself in the community in
which be lived. His really great ability, his
IlcHLdl anu llOIdl lOlCC, anu MS
integrity, then as now, made him strong
with the people, beyond the strength of any
mere politician. 1t is unnecessary to say
that the office was well administered, for Mr..
Cleveland was at its head. But it was uu-
usual to find such personnel in that depart
ment; and, indeed, unlike many sheriff 5
offices, the men surrounding it were far
above the average in intelligence and gene
raj character. On retiring from the office of
sheriff, Mr.. Cleveland resumed his law prac
tice at Buffalo. 1t was at this time that he
formed partnership with Lyman K. Bass,
who few years before had beaten him in
the contest for the office of district attorney.
The firm was Bass, Cleveland & Bissell.
Mr. Bass shortly retired from the firm, and
moved to Colorado for his health. In this
association, Mr.. Cleveland achieYed distinc-
ton as lawyer beyond that which he had
already gained. He readily took his place
among the leaders of the bar. His legal
acumen and intellectual honesty were recog-
nized as conspicuous.
WHAT MIR. GOODRICH LEARNED IN BUFFALO
81 failed,' says Mr.. Goodrich, ''to hear
any one say that Grover Cleveland had any
magnetism, or that he fascinated a crowd,
or that he drew people after him with per-
sonal glamour. On the contrary, formed
a very distinct notion that there was a class
of men whom he repelled, and that disliked
him as easily, as naturally and as sincerely
as thief hates a magistrate or smuggler
hates a dead calm. Indeed, 1t was impossi-
BILE to discover, either in the mans record
or in the reputation that had grown up about
him, anything dramatic. The resultant
heroism of his life is that common heroism
of the common wOrk-a-day world which
does It's duty, not for effect, but for priaci-
pie and purpose, and which, if it does not
so easily catch the eye and ear, is, after all,
the enduring force that the people come to
look for and rely upon when there is great
work to be done. | looked into the law
Offices on Main street-this latter laboratory
where were evolved the legal functions thai
came into the public service Of his own com.
munlty, They were curiousylsolid and un.
pretentious, and upstairs were the bachelor
rooms, where for years Gov. Cleveland haL
! slept and worked. | examined them minute
! Is, for one often obtains glimpse of charac.
| ter by such ca0erdge, and they were instant
! " indicative of the sim pie tastes, methodica
! habits and studious life of the occupant.
! Two or three pictures, evidently selected not
! for decoration, but because the owner priced
! the subject and admired the treatment, huns
on the walls. But there was elsewhere not a
superluous article in the room. Elegance
| had been forgotten in the successful attemp
TO secure comfort and convenience and Sc
! clusion."
FEARLEsSLY HONEST.
1t was the qualities which Mr.. Cleveland
displayed in his professional career and as
private citizen which caused all eyes to turr
! toward him at time when the people of Buf
! falo found themselves i'll sore need of
strong, able and fearlessly honest man TO as
/ sumo the duties of chief executive of the cit
| aud undertake ii reform of the methods o
government in that municipality. BufIal,
had been badly ruled. 1t was a strong Re
publican city, the majorities in favor of tina
party ranging from 2500 to 5000, and. wit
this blind party support behind them, tn
leaders had gone on boldly from bad to worse
until corruption and jobbery ruled, wasteful
ness in expenditure prevailed, and the put
lie business was in 4 miserable condition
There was popular revolt against the mel
and the methods that were robbing the city
and the man to whom the popular hear
turned as the leader of reform was Grove
Cleveland, whose known integrity of charac
ter aud tirmness of purpose proclaimed hin
the man for the place. Mr.. Cleveland di
not in any way seek the honor which was I
be conferred upon him. 1t was straight
Democratic nomination which he received
aud it was only as a Democrat that he stoo
before the people for election. But Demo
cracy, as represented by Grover Cleveland +
Buffalo at that time, meant just what 1t no'
means in the nation, thorough and homes
reform in the methods and character of ad
ministration. II means honesty in the plac
of iobbery, principle in the place of policy
Aud Grover Cleveland was the man who il
his own person and character represented thi