The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-03-04
HENDRICKS AND MCDONALD.
What Each Says of the Other-Aathorized
DeniaIs of Current RumOrs.
Letter IN New York gunI

Denials of Current RumOrs
Letter to New York Sun.
IKDIANAPoLIs, Feb. 26-I found Mr. Hen
bricks this morning engaged in receiving
calls and discharging q multiplicity of duties
incidental to his departure for Washington
but he took time to say to me: There is
not the shadow of a foundation for the
charge that am or ever was hostile to the
appointment of Mr.. Mcdonald to q position
in the Cabinet of President Cleveland. MY
confidence in his ability is full and complete,
and l certainly have no disposition to OBJ
pose his advancement to any honor or re-
sponsibility. Indeed, that would be exactly
contrary to either my feeling or sense OF pro.
priety. Why do the newspapers persist in
emblszoniDg falsehooos so abominable? But
that question is idle, since it is palpahle that
there are people who find not only entertain
meDt, but enjoyment, in that character
OF stuff. There are ill-tempered, evil-minded
Republicans glad to believe me guilty of an
immoral motive, however absurd, and q
sufficient number of gullibIe Democrats
lending ready oredenee to color with respec-
table plausibiiity the clearest ficticns As
to what is published about MYSELF care
little, and / presume Mr.. Mcdonald cares
nothing. To either of Us it is really matter
of ne moment. Bat the imputa ton that
Mrs. Hendricks interferes angers me. Asso-
ciateG with something so indicate, so for
eign 10 her nature of taste, they have no
The speaker pronounced this in the tone
and with the emphasis that seldom, indeed,
fails TO prove effectual before a Jury when
he feels he has case. The words be en-
ployed comprised but a small part of the
speech. The manner of delivery told more.
AS matter of fact Mr.. Hendricks aud Mr..
Mcdonald are ss close together as any two
citizens of Indianapolis. They have held
frequent interviews, the Vice Presdent-eIect
visiting the last named gentleman since he
has been so earnestly mentioned as q candi.
date for the new Cabinet. Were either Pres
ident, l take it, the other would be his con-
sIituti0nal adviser, sustaining the most init
mate relations. In the really tangled skein
of Mr.. Hendricks administration as Cover
nor OF lndiaDa-the passage OF the Baxter
bill-some features of the enactment being
remarkable among the Temperance laws of
the country, every step taken Dy the Execu-
tive was founded on the legal counsel of Mr..
Mcdonald.
There is no question that in the estimation
of the mass of mankind throughout this
Wabash country there is a spirit of ungener-
Gus rivalry betN cen those eminent gentle
man. The gossip of their unfriendliness is
not confined to opposition prints, but it is
about the hotels like the sentiment of Blaine
at Chicago, in the air, filing the lobby and
choking the cloak room of the General As
sembly like the villainous perfumes of badly
cured tobacco.
1t was post.prandial interview that l had
with MIR. Mcdonald having waited for some
minutes in his library for him to finish his
dinner. Joining me the picture of health,
at peace with all the world and the rest of
mankind, began the conversation by ask
ing if he had witnessed Minis ''Macbsth" OF
the previous evening. Mr.. Mcdonald pos
sesses the faculty of talking fully aud con.
cisely On any subject brOached. This was
bis reDly:
mo- he said, 81 believe that have
passed the time OF life when tragedy excites
interest 1 was always fond of the
theater and the passion does not seem to
have absted: indeed, it has grown so far as
light comedy is concerned. | imagine that
such plays as She Stoops to Conquer Gold
smiths laughable creation, amuse me more
than ever, and | see new beauties In them.
No; spectacular, melo drama, or what ths
French are said 10 call damp plays" such
as as are likely to bring moisture to the eyes,
have faded charms for me; they are innocent
of that weird fascination with which they
formerly held me-"
He might have continued on the drama
during the evening had l not directed him
to political history, when he mentioned
Polk as the hardest worker of the Presidents,
in whose administration, excepting Lin
coins, the greatest events occurred. THE
extent of territory. acquired during the adj
mInlstratiOn of Polk," continued Mr.. Nc
Donald, contributed TO the success as well
ss the granduer OF Lincoln's period as Presi
dent
"Yes." he replied to a question afterwards
''if in the Senate l would again vote to put
General Grant Oh the retired list. / would
vote that, not in honor of President Grant,
but as an honor to the soldier Grant-the
author of the terms of Lees surrender. By
his courage and heroism at AppomattoX he
covered himself and the cause he repre-.
scented With glory that no subsequeng ac-
tioD, in position for which he had neither
talents nor training, could tarnish. Should
General Grant pass away before the country
discharges the duty OF placing HIM on the
retired list the neglect will ever be remem-
bered with regret by posterity."
''Mr. Hendricks talked to me lately about
the hateful and annoying rumor of his opDo-
sition to your appointment to place in Mr..
Clevelapd's Cabinet" I said.
II and Hendricks fully understand each
ether" replied Mr.. Mcdonald. II never for
a moment believed that he combated the
| idea of my Advancement in anything, and
it is annoying that some persons imagine
NE the object of his enmity."
well, / should think from a knowledge
| of your friends and life in Indianapolis that
nothII within the possibilities of Washing.
ton could add to your comfort or happi-
| ness"
THE subject of Mr.. Clevelands appoint.
! ments is one that, under the circumstances,
| / can not talk OF for the press. This. how
ever may say, if left to consult my own
! preference would never leave Indianapolis,
] For myself / ask nothing that my practice
/ and my home do not afford. Further than
this. would refuse 10 accept anything were
| it not for desire 1 have to reward my
/ friends. / can not deny that 1 would like &c
be in position to TecipTOcate their enthusi
ssm, loyalty and DEVOTION
/ JAP rURFEN.