Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-01-08
GOVERNOR CURTIN IN RUSSIA.
How His Tact Helped Him TO Win
the RespeCt Of the EmperOr.

When Andrew G. Curtin was Minister
to Russia he expended about $4,000
year more than his salary, for there is no
place in Europe where it is more impor-
tant to keepup certain scale OF expendi-
ture in order to maintain good social
footing than in that country. One
of the earlier incidents of Curtin's
career at st. Petersburg occurred
at dinner where Gortschakoff, the
Chancellor OF the Russian Empire, sat
opposite to him. Mr.. Curtin was un-
known to most OF the guests. Gorscha-
koff began talking to him in a very
abrupt, brusque fashion about the Ala
bama Claims Commission, which had
just been established. SIT will never
succeed" said he "You Americans are
always getting up some new thing. The
principle of ii is opposed to every tradi-
tion Of European diplomacy. Have you
read the English press upon this project?"
"Yes," said the Governor, 81 have read
what they have to say. But 1t is
barely possible that they are mis-
taken" Gortschakof did not drop the
subject, ''Have you seen," said he, ''the
speech of Lord John Russell in which he
denounces the commission as hum
bug" Curtin had been listening with a
very mild air to all this talk. He now
turned upon the Chancellor. He said,
with great abruptness and dignity "Yes,
have read his speech. also remember
his speech denouncing your plan for sup
pressing the Polish instruction. Your
reply to him then was so overwhelming
that it took away from him completely
the little sense that he ever had" At
this all OF the guests applauded, and
Gortschakoff was quite content to drop
the subject.
Governor Curtin had rather trying
time at st. Petersburg when Secretary
Fish was bounding NJ. Catacazy, the Rus
sian Minister at Washington, whose hand
some wife was admired by the men and
hated by the women. NJ. Catacazy was
protege of Gortschakofss Is, and Governor
Curtin found it difficult TO maintain
pleasant relations, especially when the
Duke Alexis was snubbed Washing
ton. But Governor Curtin's tact
enabled him to conciliate the Russians,
and when he called upon the Car
to bid him farewell the Emperor ex-
pressed great regret. He asked him if
he would not consent to remain longer.
Mr.. Curtin replied that his health would
not permit and that his persona! interests
iCtmu' ltlt In
his anxiety to have him stay, offered him
the use OF one of his palaces in Livadia,
In the southern part OF Russia during the
winter, so that he could escape
the severe season in st. Petersburg.
MIR. Curtin insisted on going, however.
When the Emperor saw that his decision
was not to be changed, he said: III desire
to give you some testimonial of my friend
ship" The Minister replied that under
the laws OF this county he could receive
nothing. The Emperor then said: ~ have
a portrait of myself painted by Bonnat. /
had intended it for the Empress. But |
want to give it to you, TO be the property
OF yourself and family" "If you give It
to me in my official capacity" said Mr.
Curtin, sit will have TO go to the State
Department" The Emperor said ~
do not intend il for any depart
ment. Give me your home address
and will send it TO you after you have
retired from official life.' Some months
later the picture was brought to New
York in Russian man-oi-war, and il
now occupies conspicuous position in
Governor Curtin's house at Bellionte.
Pennsylvania. The autograph letter oi
the Emperor Alexander, conveying the
portrait to Mr.. Curtin as mark OF his
esteem and friendship, is exhibited along
side oil the picture,-B Perley Poore n
Boston Budget.