Omaha daily bee., 1888-11-12
SOME SECRET HISTORY.
How Benjamin Harrison Came to BE
the Republican Nominee for the
Presidency.
New Porn Special to Chicago Times.

Neo Pork Special, to chicago Times.
Chauncey M. Depew is authority for
the statement that General Harrison
ives his elevation to the presidency Of
the United States primarily to the ef-
fects of "A dinner party in Chicago. Mr..
Depew made the assertion by inference
this morning in an interesting narra-
tive OF the inside workings of the New
York delegation Mt the Chicago conven
ton. Many persons have heard of the
dinner by Mr.. Depew to the New York
delegation after his withdrawal from
the presidential contest on the second
day ,fi he convention. But the effects
of that dinner had not been made public
until Mr.. Depew told of il the other
day.
"After the first days balloting," said
Mr.. Depew, sit was apparent that the
west was SO much opposed to the candi-
dacy OF a railroad president that there
was no show for me; so l determined to
withdraw. Then the important ques-
tion a Whom should the New York
delegation support? Their preferences
ing for Blaine till the end, and others
wanted to break for Sherman, Gresham
and the other candidates. AS chairman
OF the delegation l called a conference
of the four delegates-at-large, who, OF
course, controlled in a measure the
course of the delegation. We met
Senator Hiscock, Thomas G. Plat,
Warner Miller and myself. l spoke
first, and proposed that Benjamin Har-
rison should be supported, as he was
the most available man on account Of
.A ,N1l..,. IL, ,..-sl -. A..
United States senate, and. l confess, L
urged his adoption by us on the senti
mental ground that he was the grand
son oil old Tippecanoe.
"MIr. Platt favored another man.
Senator Hlscock had Il different choice,
and Warner Miller wanted II third
man. Still we we're all willing to sur
render our preferences in favor of the
others for the good of the party. No, 1
won't tell you the preference of the
other delegates. Ionly say that l alone
favored Harrison. A long discussion
ensued. l did my share OF the talking,
you may be sure, and the result of the
discussion was that the four of us
agreed on Harrison.
"Then 1 called a meeting of the
whole New York delegation. All were
present. l told them of the action of
the dclegates-at-large and asked their
opinions. Fiftyeight agreed with us
and twenty-four differed. No amour
OF persuasion could convince them that
Harrison was the man to win. Here was
a snag of large size. New York wanted
the honor of naming the president; still
1t could not be the deciding factor in
the convention unless after my with
drawal 1t would go solidly for some
other candidate.
What did 1 do? Well, l thought the
matter over for an honr and then in.
vited the delegation to dinner. did
not try TO convince the recalcitrants. L
simply gave them good things TO eat
and good drink to e~nliven their UNDER
standing. And behold the result. By
the time the supper was ended every
mothers son was shouting for Harrison.
This result was largely due to speeches
by Hiscock, Warner Miller, ex-senator
Platt and Senator Fassett who, after
the first conference, heartily supported
Harrison. The rest is ancient history.
New York voted for Harrison and he
was nominated by a~cclamation. The
dinner solilied New York's vote.
Whats the matter with q good dinner
as q political factor?" asked Mr.. Depew,
laughing heartily.