Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-26
TRUTH ABOUT GEN. HARRISON.
Judge Hines, His Former Partner, Denies
Some Lies About the President.E Elect.

some Lies ADOuL the ETcSlQcQIs Elect,
From the New York Mail and Express
Judge Cyrus G. Hines, Of Indianapolis who
was Gen. Harrison's law partner for fifteen
years, is at the Gedney house. Several years
ago the judge retired from the practice of law.
but his close friendly relations with the Presi-
dent-elect have never ceased, and there are
few persons better informed about his per
sonal characteristics. Mall and Express re-
porter saw the judge to-day at his hotel. He
was asked:
"Haye you seen the article in a Chicago pa
per about Gen. Harrison's personal character
istics?'
"ies, and il is tissue Of misrepresentation,
some OF winch are too absurd to answer. The
man who wrote it evidently went upon the
plan that he would make a more readable arti-
Gle oy relating the reverse Of facts He tells
Of the inner life of Gen. Harrison and begins
oy saying that he is a Presbyterian of the sever
>est school, and the only books he reads with
pleasure are those concerned with the develop
ment OF the Calvinistic system and others
touching upon the Cromwellian period. Well,
IT Is true that the general is Presbyterian,
and he Is not ashamed Of the fact either, but
he does not devote himself to one branch of
| readlng exclusively. He is fond of reading
history, and is usually well informed on nearly
all subjects The assertion that he reads few
books and has little sympathy with book cul-
ture is erroneous. more refined and culti-
waited man it would be difficult to find. He is
clear and cogent thinker. Often we
have had cases that brought US in con-
tact with noted lawyers from other
states, and / have never known his legal
opinion to be dsregarded Indeed. his ideas
Predominated- His capacity for concentrating
his mind upon one subject is wonderful. He
has often become so engrossed in legal study
that in order to test him have advanced some
absurd proposition and asked his opinion. He
would assent almost mechanically and never
lose the logical continuity of his original sub
lect Afterward, when he was not absorbed,
would restate my proposition. and in a spirit of
\ humor urge that he assented to it, With few
lncisive sentences he would dispose of the
question efectually, showing that he had been
too engrossed before TO pay any heed to it.
HIS Judgment is his own, and while he is fond
tof his friends he will not be influenced by
them, except in so far as his judgment might
agree with theirs. An indefatigable worker
and straightforward in all his dealings, he will,
4 think be very popular and much-admired
President
The Chicago writer said he initiated Walt
Whitman, and sat around every evening at
home. loafing and inviting his SOUL Is that
true %
:. His home life is delightful and happy. and
can tell you that he prefers home comforts
and pleasures to any political office. His pri-
Fate life Is the reverse Of monotonous i never
met more hospitable man. and it was always
pleasure to dine at his home. He is accused
By this Chicago writer, of being dainty eater.
te Is not heavy eater. but is an average good
ater. The article said he was a poor carver
hatever Gen. Harrison does he does well. and
hen called upon to carve at his own or any,
body else table, he always succeeds admirably
ben- Harrison has a keen sense of humor. but
Pc never INDUCES In humorous stories that are
dedicate or any way unclean."
This writer asserts that Gen. Harrison is
bold, unresponsive and not popular in Indian
bpols. Have these statements any founda-
tion?'
None whatever. The general is not unpop-
blair and Is not cold He is natural leader of
men. confess that he is not the kind of man
that Tom, Dick and Harry-or anybody for
that matter-become so familiar with him that
they slap him on the back. But that does not
make him any the less warm hearted. His per-
sonal friends are strongly attached to him; and
the attempt to prove that he is not popular be-
cause the county he lives in-AIerion-went
against him by 3S7 plurality. although it gave
DIR. Blaine plurality of 229 in 1884, is no cri-
terlon 1t can be easily explained. The natu-
TAI gas fever has broken out in Marion county
and there are three companies digging bitches
and trying to utilize the newly-discovered fuel.
a great many Italians employed by these
companies. and they voted the democratic
ticket because their employers were demo-
Gratis
lis it true that Gen. Harrison cannot re-
member names, sndtherefore bows and shakes
hands with everybody
NO. did not say that the general ia re-
pnarkable for remembering names and faces but
be remembers as well as the average public
man He has never cultivated his memory in
hat direction. 1 have a poor memory for
faces and names. but do not think the gene
rails Is as bad as mine. As for bowling and
shaking hands with everybody, he is polite and
ike true gentleman of feeling he never re-
uses TO shakes hands and make himself agree
hble."
1T is said that the only point where Gen.
HarrlsOn's character touches that of his wife's
Is IN their deep and common religious convic-
lions. Is that an invention?'
les; and without any foundation. They are
both religious. II is true, but they have many
traits of character that bring them together
In happy reciprocity of ideas. They are
. happy in every way. Mrs. Harrison is cul-
ktured and refined, and has excellent literary
taste. She is a clever writer
1t Is said that Mrs. Harrison is fond of
Spractical jokes. Has the true version ever
been given of the joke about DR.. Newcomer?"
Several versions have been given, but it is
with reluctance that repeat the joke, although
lt Is good one. DIR. Newcomer Is a relative of
Mrs. Harrison. gentleman and skilled physi-
fian- Many years ago the doctor owned a
white dog. One day Mrs. Harrison and the
doctors wife conceived the idea of painting
sign with indehbie aniline colors upon the dogs
side When 1t was executed there appeared in
flaming letters on the CANNES side: .Trv New
Corners Pills. Mrs Harrison and the doctors
wife thought II would amuse the doctor to see
sign on his dog. but il had the opposite effect
The dog had a long chase around town before
he found his master. The latter imagined that
the sign had been painted for mischief and he
was somewhat angered. Some months after
ward the two practical jokers told him they
were the guilty ones and he laughed heartily"