Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-12-06
Dana Lashes Cleveland.

The Herald correspondent the
other day interviewed Charles A.
Dana, of the New York Sun, in Paris.
Mr.. Dana talked freely regarding
American politics and evidently said
about what he thought concerning
Grover Cleveland. His views are
worth giving.
Speaking of the result of the recent
election, Mr.. Dana said that many
things contributed to Cleveland's
defeat In the first place the chances
are all against the reelection of any
president. Since 1882 only two men
have been twice placed in the Office of
chief Observation-Disclosures and Grant
and they were kept in the white house
under exceptional circumstances.
Mr.. Dana continued: ''In order to
insure the President a second term
there must be something of special and
unusual Importance to commend him
to public favor. Cleveland had no
such element to aid him. On the con-
trary he was handicapped in many
ways. He had no strong personal
friends. He was cordially disliked by
the leaders of the Democratic party
and the political directors OF the Dem
ocratic press. Even before the cleo
ton do not believe there was a. more
unpopular man in the United States
than he and after March next, when
the game is all over, the universal Won
der will be how such man as Cleve-
land ever came to fill such high posi-
ton.
During his administration he did
nothing to win the confidence and sup
port of his party, in fact he did not
care a copper for the real interest of the
Democrats. What he worked for from
beginning to end was the welfare and
advancement of Grover Cleveland.
In manner toward his supporters he
was cold and overbearing, and be
never by any chance put himself out to
be courteous or accommodating. He
thought himself man of destiny, and
so far above his followers that he
could kick them about as he pleased.
He has finally discovered his mistake.
He was always trying to produce a
sensation that would make people talk
about him. He did not choose any
given line of action so much because
he believed in it as because he believed
in its advances for himself. He did
not dare to veto either the OleOmargar-
inc bill or the river and harbOr bill
though he was convinced that they
were both unwise. He did veto a lot
of pension bills because he saw an
opportunity to set people talking Of his
prudent oversight over expenses with
out alternating any of the influential
classes.
''His knowledge on all subjects was
superficial. In many things he made
mistakes as 30 what would really re-
dound to his advantage. His negotia-
ton of the fisheries treaty and extra
dition treaty did him much harm
among the Irish and the fishermen. If
he had not been politically dead already.
of course his position on the tariff
would have finished him. This last
election has therefore settled the free
trade question. No party can succeed
in the United States which waivers in
its adherence to protection. California
wants protection for its wines and
woOlens and fruits. Alabama wants it
for its iron, and so will Colorado in
time. The whole wants it for manu-
features and industries which are
springing up there as by magic. The
East has always wanted it and the
South will follow suit. The Demo
Gratis were beaten in a fair fight be-
cause they deserved to- be. There was
never an election more quiet and order
ly. There was never one with less
corrupl ion at the poi1s."