Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-01-10
kilograms to The Star.
GOV. CLEVELAND AND COL. LAMONT.
PHELAN's AssAILANT IN COURT.
MORMON COLONY IN MEXICO.
THE PRESIDENT.ELECT AND HIS
SECRETARY.
Col. Lannon'S Washington visit-Ssov.
Cieveiand's knowledge of Public Mcn
Some of tfis state APPOINTMENTS Etc.

COl. Lannon'S Washington Visit-lsOv.
Cieveiand's knowledge of Public Mem
Some Of tfis state Appointments,E Etc.
Special Dispatch to THE EvENrSe STAR
ALBANY, January TO-
The flying visit OF Col Daniel ). Lamont to WASH
ington has given the democratic politicians OF the
National Capital the chance 10 catch a glimpse or
the man who will have more influence with Presl-
dent Cleveland than any other dozen men In the
party. Untu they have been brought into immedi-
ate personal contact with the next President men,
eers OF Congress and democratic politicians geLer
ally cannot fully appreciate how slight is his
9uaintance with the personnel OF the party OF which
he becomes the Official head Probably any mer-
chant who devotes half an hour daily TO the news
papers has as good knowledge OF the men In the
party as had Governor Cleveland two months ago.
The intervening time, OF course, has given him a
lamIlariy with the names al least OF the congress
sional majority; but were II not for his invalu-
epie and omniscient private secretary, President
Cleveland would be likely, during the first months
ol MS terin 10 give mortal offence 10 more than
one member OF the democratic majority In Con-
sfeSs Dy betraylng complete ignorance OF his Inn
portance, real or assumed. IL was TO supply this
want of knowledge or men 10 the state that Gov.
Cleveland made Col Lamont his private secretary
in 1888. and II Is the same purpose that he will
accompany President Cleveland 10 Washington.
Col. Lamont, however, is much more than a mere
nomenclator. he has FOR years made a close study
OF the personal aspects or democratic politics. and
Gov. Cleveland generally rests with absolute
confidence on his Judgment OF men and OF their
another, therefore, in even more confidential rela-
uons than those which ordinarily exist between a
governor and LIS private secretary. The secretary
is not only the repository OF the secrets OF his CHIEF
but has been largely instrumental I'm Determining
at times, his action by advice based on more
thorough knowledge OF men. IL can be said that
no man In whom Col LAMONT has not confidence Is
likely 10 meet with iavor in the eyes OF the Presi
dent. 1t does not follow. however that Col La
mont has actively interested himself In behalf OF
| any one. On the contrary, he has absolutely re-
FUSED time and again actively TO advocate the cause
OF those who have been his warm political friends
with the governor. Ia sense that Is tacity recog-
| nlzed between them, Col Lamont simply
exercises The veto power on Governor
Clevelands first impressions. The governor Is a
good judge OF human nature, and underneath
cain and somewhat inattentive demeanor really
/ closely scrutiulZeS the men he meets Relying on
these first impressions, the governor has made
some appointments that have surprised the polit-
clans OF the state One OF the first Offices he rs
called upon 10 Ill was the position OF supeTntend-
ent OF the new capitol, office created by tue
legislature with the view that 1t should be asst
TO MI. John O'Brien, a leading democratic pollti-
clan and the contractor OF the New York aqueduct
The superintendent employs from 400 10 1900 men
on the work OF construction, and the position was
accordingly deemed one OF great partisan adYan-
tage. GOV. Cleveland chanced to hear OF some ex-
cellent building done by Mir j. c. Perry, an archi-
tect and builder, OF Binghampton whose maine even
was not known outside OF hls profession AT GOV
CleVeland's suggestion Mt. Perry was invited by "A
friend 10 visit Albany and the governor. He came,
and the two had an hours conversation. IN which
Mr. Perry bluntiy expressed his opinions OF the
manner In which the work should be performed.
Mr. Perry returned home, and within a week
his name was sent 10 the senate, TO the COM
plete surprise OF The democratic members. Perry's
poItlcs even were unknown. He was however,
confirmed, and IL is now conceded that the work OF
construction has been performed more economi-
caIly ana Ia better manner than ever before In
the same manner Mr.. WIN. III. Murtha visited Gov
Cleveland 10 secure subordinate position Ia the
newly-arranged department OF New York harpor
Gov. Cleveland talked with him a short time and
became convinced OF his integrity and ability He
sent In his Name 10 the senate for commissioner OF
immigration, the chief Office In the department,
and thus brought on the contest with Tammany
Hall. The President and his private secretary have
aoHlraoy supplemented one another's qualities
The Presldenl-eects tendency toward impulsee-
ness Is counterbalanced by the extreme caution OF
his private secretary. In Albany they have come
TO be regarded as inseparable.