The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-02
And Gives Very Readable Sketch of the
President t-Elect-Cleveland Considered
Frank and Sincere Man.
President Taylor and His Connection
with the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty.
The Executive Department Cannot Interfere
with Bridges on the Wabash-Democracy
and the Soldiers Who Hold Office.
cLEvELAND's CHARACTERISTICS.

CLEVELAND'S CHARACTERISTICS.
Impressions of a Far-Western Democrat Who
Recently Visited Albany.
Special TO the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.-Snce Mr. Cleveland
has begun to issue invitations to Democratic
leaders to come to him at Albany and New York
city, and give him their advice and counsel,
have heard great deal of the Presideatelect.
Several gentlemen who have talked to him dur
ing the past week have returned to or passed
through Washington, and many have had much
to say of their impressions of the man of the
hour.
This afternoon l had talk with far-Western
Democrat, who had talked with Mr. Cleveland
at Albany on Thursday. The gentleman is my
friend, and as he gave me his impressions for my
personal benefit, he did not lie
II never was more surprised" said he, ''in
man in my life than was in Cleveland He is
not the man at all | had expected to see."
is he better or worse than you anticipatedP
asked.
We'll, may say much better. And yet ana
surprised that he should have been elected Pres
ident. He is the plainest prominent public man
| ever saw. His person is as plain as the tree i'm
the bark. He is not given to the. obesity-I had
heard he was. He is stout, but not overly So
His clothes are plain, and his manners so sim
pie that any farmer could duplicate them
without effort. When / got to Albany /
took hack ara was driven to Mr. Clevelanda
residence. an ordinary abode, such as YOU
see occupied . average doctor OF lawyer in
most cities. lss than minute after sent in
my card the servant asked me to enter the par
lor. had never seen Mr.. Cleveland before, and
he knew nothing of me, nor had he any reason
for showing me, any more courtesy than any
other man"
How were you greeteda'
''rhe most cordially 1 was ever received by
any man in public life. l had scarce. en-
terad the room when Mr. Cleveland, who was
with number of friends in an adjoining parlor,
came in to me. His handshake was not of the
ordinary kind. 1t made my fingers smart it was
so hearty. He asked me to sit down, and said he
was glad had called to see him. He didn't do
this, either, because it was required by courtesy.
l could see he was pleased to have another caller
told him where was FROM and said came
not for Office. but to look at him. and to tell him
what the political policy of my people was re-
is just the information am seeking said he,
and / could see he was pleased. When had
stated my ideas he said The platform of the
Democratic party adopted in convention in July
last, covers pretty much the same ground your
people would like to have me 60 over shall
not disregard that platform, and I feel sure
shall, in that respect, please your people"
''Then he has no hesitancy in committing HIM
selfl'
81 did not observe that he has. He showed
none to me. He promised to do all asked.
should think he was man who would refuse or
promise anything he wanted to- He asked more
questions about my country and PEOPLE than I
could imagine. He kept talking until | was
ready to leave When got up to go he said So
licitously, Don't be in q hurry. Then, when /
assured him I was the point of leaving his
presence he took my hand followed me to the
door, and said: When l get to work at W., after
come and see me- l am pleased
with your CALL
There one characteristic about the man,
continued my friend, 'and that was, he looked
me fairly in the eyes all the time talked to him
and sat up close to mo-"
"How did that impress youl" asked l.
THAT Mr.. Cleveland wouldn't lie to q fellow.
He gets your confidence the moment he begins
talking. He would be successful. politician.
because he appears go frank and honest; and
don't think it is affected, either l was surprised
with and disappointed in him III another respect.
| had heard so often that Mr.. Cleveland was
SO slow and fat that one would call him, in the
of the vulgar, a regular snoozer'
But he is so nervous he can scarcely sit still.
Dan Manning told me, while was in Albany,
that Cleveland had worked during his time IS
Governor an average of fifteen hours out &C
every twenty-four, including Sundays and ho,l-
days. Evidently the forte of that man lies in
simplicity industry, frankness. He affects
nothing. My word for it. thero will be fewer
dinners and receptions at the White House dur
ing the four years ending March 4, 1889, than
there have been since Jefferson was ruern
Don't you think Mr. Cleveland is already
looking ahead for another termf
THAT is very far-fetched matter but I wi,
predict now that if he is living, and no ealanitr
befalls him. he will be a candidate four wears
hence. He has declared that he would have bur
one term, yet it is easy enough to make circum.
stances when one has power, and if the party
calls him he cannot and will not refuse
Great satisfaction is expressed with Mr..
Cleveland by the pilgrims from Albany but
there yet remains doubt about the general
policy he viii adopt This doubt however is
the growth of fear upon the part of those who
have political favors to ask; in other words, the
question is, viii he give US the
offcesl" Thatno one is able to answer And
that is likely to be the foundation rock or the
rock upon which the ship will go TO pieces.
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