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
tho RcSDeCt of tho EmDcrOr.

When Andrew G. Curtin was Minister
to Russia he expended about $12 200 a
year more than his salary, for there is no
place in Europe where it is more impor-
tant to keep up 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-
kof began talking to him in very
abrupt, brusque fashion about the Ala
bama Claims Commission, which had
just been established. "It will never
succeed said he "You Americans are
always getting up some new thing The
principle OF it is opposed to every tradi-
ton of European diplomacy. Have you
read the English press upon this project ?"
eyes," said the Governor, ri have read
what they have to say. But it is
barely possible that they are mis-
taken" Gortschakoff did not drop the
subject. ''Have you seen," said he, "the
speech of Lord John Russell in which he
denounces the commission as Il hum
bug?" Curtin had been listening with
very mild air to all this talk. He now
turned upon the Chancellor He said,
with great abruptness and dignity: eyes,
| have read his speech. also remember
his speech denouncing your plan for sup
pressing the Polish insurrection. 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
GortschakoH was quite content to drop
the subject
Governor Curtin had rather trying
time at st. Petersburg when Secretary
Fish was bounding M. Catacazy, the Rus
sian Minister at Washington, whose hand
some wife was admired by the men and
hated by the women. M. Catacazy was
protege of Gortschakoffs, s, 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 personal interests
demanded his return The Emperor, 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.
Mr., Curtin insisted on going, however.
When the Emperor saw that his decision
was not to be changed, he said "I 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: "I have
a portrait of myself painted by Bonnat. 1
had intended it for the Empress. But 1
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, ''it will have to go to the State
Department" The Emperor said "I
do not intend it 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 a Russian man-of-war, and it
now occupies conspicuous position in
Governor Curtin's house at Bellfonte,
Pennsylvania. The autograph letter oi
the Emperor Alexander, conveying the
portrait to Mr.. Curtin as a mark of his
esteem and friendship, is exhibited along
side of the picture. Perleg Poore IN
Boston Budqet.