New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-16
IN AFFECTING INCIDENT.
We clip the following from that Mugwump
organ, The Springfield Republican"

organ, The Springfield Republican,
Anderson said President Cleveland to R. D. Ander
lngon get his credentials, want to say to YOU as
have said to all others who have been appointed TO
foreign posts, keep out OF politics. Dir Anderson tells
this himself and is quite that the President meant
Just what he said.
What an Arcadian beauty there is about this
little anecdotel Anderson must have been deeply
affected as he listened to the Presidents plous
admontion and for the star-eyed goddess OF
reform-wcll, she ygnst have turned away to wipe
a big tear. OF course Anderson has merely IN
dicated what Mr.. Cleveland whispered in his ear
as he handed him his credentials. But any one
who is familiar with the course pursued by the
present Administration readily conjecture the
salient points of that impressive warning to the
new Minister to keep out Of politics
1t was probably in the hush Of the pensive
twilight that the words were spoken. Such com
munications are generally made at that time.
Anderson had placed the credentials in the inside
breast pocket of his Prince Albert coat, and had
remarked that he must be going Then rising to take
his leave he felt hand laid upon his shoulder.
He recognized it as the hand of Mr. Cleveland, and
paused. Anderson" said the President, with
voice suffused with emotion, as he kicked the
dog Hector out Of the way, Anderson, moment,
please. Take with you to Denmark this, my
parting injunction. Federal officc-holders must
keep out of politics. Not all Federal Office holders,
Anderson, not postmasters and internal revenue
collectors and other officials whose posts Of duty
are in the home service. o, no, by no means.
They can be very useful to me, Anderson, in eau
cuses and conventions, and in the general work
of getting delegates. So, when lay down the
rule that Federal oflceholdors must keep
out of politics, obviously I have in
mind merely the foreign service. l am
that kind Of Civil-Service reformer,
Anderson. Keep out Of politics-while you remain
in Denmark A public Office that takes man out
of the country is a public trust Denmark Will
send no delegation to the National Democratic
Convention; SO it would deeply grieve me, An
derson, if should hear OF you as engaged in run
ming a primary in Copenhagen or in organizing
campaign clubs in Jutlsnd in making stump
speeches anywhere in the Scandinavian Kingdom.
Anderson, charge you, don't do it. IL you SHOULD
feel yearnng that you can't resist TO enter poll
tics nrav let me know, and will recall you from
Denmark and try to fix you out with firstctasa
postmastership." ,
That must have been the way that the President
mt il to Anderson, as the purple twilight fell
soft upon the White House, threw weird spell
over the Potomac, and marked where the Den
marlr credentials bulged out an inside pocket oil
a now Prince Albert coat. 1t was scene Tor
painter-at all events for an instantaneous pno'
toprapher And Anderson is quite sure thh' cns
PRESIDENT meant Just what he said" VI course
Univ notp On second thought, Anderson does IL
NOT strike YOU that the observation was super
fuous?