The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-02-12
Mr.. Cleveland and the Politicians.

Saturday. The object of his visit was to
place himself in convenient communica-
tion with all who might desire to call to
offer suggestions as to his Cabinet, or pay
their respects. A number of delega-
lions from different States, members of
Congress and prominent Democratic pol
iticians from every portion of the Union
availed themselves of the opportunity to
put in an appearance. They were all re-
ceived kindly and courteously and those
who have given their impressions to the
public were pleased with their interviews,
One noticeable feature about the meet
ings is that those who spoke with Mr..
Cleveland learned absolutely nothing. ex-
cept that he was u good listener Of
course that pleased the average statesman.
for nothing could contribute to his own
delight more than to be allowed to say his
piece without interruption and to have
what he did say pass without question:
Others discussed the claims and qualifica-
tions of cabinet candidates in elaborate
and profuse sentences, but Mr.. Cleveland
did not join in it. He would occasionally
ask II question, by way Of diversion, but
nothing that fell from him was construed
to intimate Partially for any particular
applicant for anyfpartieular portfolio. In
the vast amount of advice, suggestion, ap-
peal and eloquence which was discharged
upon him, it would be strange if some
thing was not said that made an impress
sion and attracted attention. But if so,
it was carefully concealed, for the concur
rent testimony is that no intimation fell
from him that he had formed in his mind
a determination as to any one of those
whose cause was pleaded and to which
pleading he so patiently listened.
Virginia was represented by a delega-
tion composed of Col. Robert Beverley, of
Fauquier. speaking for the agricultural
interests, Mr.. Archer Anderson, Of Rich
mond, for the manufacturing interests,
John Goode and Mr.. Watts, of Norfolk,
| Col. O'Ferrall and Congressman-elect
CroXton, and probably others, who pre-
sented the name of Hon. John S. Barbour
rs the choice of the Virginia Democracy
| for a Cabinet office-the Post Master Gen
eral is place being the preference. From
the reports we see in the papers Mr.. Goode
must have made set speech, which was
manifestly out of place on such an Occa-
sion. But unless the modern Virginia
statesman can tell all he knows and most
that he thinks he knows. he is apt to con-
clude that he has not done his duty. In
this instance, if Mr.. Cleveland is not mis-
represented, it was waste of breath. He
is "a practical man, not given to superhuous
speech, and to such character nothing is
more annoying than formal discussion of
political conditions or an elaborate eulo-
| GUM on individuals. Mr.. Barbour is not
so obscure that Mr.. Cleveland has not
heard of him, and formed an estimate of
his qualifications and claims, and 1T would
have been better for him and the delega-
ton if he had been simply presented as
the choice of the Virginia Democracy
without unnecessary comment.
Delegates were present from Kansas,
Wisconsin, Massachusetts, North Caro-
lima, Georgia and other States, each with
a candidate, but all Jared pretty much
alike, with no positive assurance or rea-
sonable intimation that their selection
will be Mr.. Cleveland's. 1t is stated, in
deed, that the President-elect has posi-
lively determined on not u single member
of his Cabinet. 1t is assumed that both
Senator Garland and Senator Bayard will
be invited to Cabinet places, but there is
nothing absolutely certain about them
If Mr.. Bayard is selected. it is believed
that will settle the case of Mr.. Barbour
or any one else from a border Southern
State. The other two members from the
South will come from the States further
South, or at least that is the statement
that comes from an intimate FRIEND of
Mr.. Cleveland.
Altogether, Mr.. Cleveland will be wiser
because of his visit to New York, but the
country is not, at least so far as the make
up of his Cabinet is concerned. He has
shown that he can manage with a great
deal of adroitness crowd of the hungry
and thirsty, without losing his temper or
showing signs of Impotence OF fatigue.
AS all intimation of what he will have to
endure after the 4th Of March it may
exhibit of what is to come. When the
rank and file are let loose after the post
offices and the clerkships and the consul
ships, then the tug of war will come and
the strength and voracity of the unterrited
Democracy be seen in thelrfull development
His self poise and method of listening and
saying little, and his physical vigor, will
constitute fortress in time of need, and
enable him to escape the fate of Har-
rison and Taylor. His first encounter
with the politicians is encouraging for
himself, but by no means assuring to
them. He has manifested some of the
arts of the politician and self-pos-
session that will serve him good part
when cloud of the faithful shall hover
about the doors and halls of the EXecu-
tive Mansion. His private Secretary, Col.
Lamont, seems, too, to be equal to any
emergency and possessed of that kind of
diplomacy which will shield his chief
without offending the importunates.
The Society of 1.-The White Gross" orig
mated in Durham, England, in 1888. The
object of the organization was to readjust
| the relations between men and women-
AS explained.by DR.. Da Costa. OF New
York, in instituting a branch of the So
ciety in that city, its members undertake
to respect women themselves, and see to it
that others do 50; to put down indecent
and immoral language: to maintain the
law of purity among men as well as among
women. People Invariably act directly to
the contrary, he said, tolerating among
men in high stations conduct that they
would not endure from a servant girl
Mothers would receive into their homes
rich and handsome men who had ruined a
neighbours daughter and invite them to
their hearthstones and the association OF
their own daughters. If society spurned
q poor woman who had by a misstep lost
| her virtue, what should it do with the
man? The Society has wide field of