Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-10-30
HEWITT AND CLEVELAND.
A Spicy Interview Between the Presi-
dent and The Present Mayor.

ST. PAUL, Mimi, Oct. 22 A young news
per man, now of this city, who has spent
the last four years in New York City and
Washington connected with New York jour
nalism, in speaking of the attitude of May
or Hewitt toward the Administration and his
apparent desire TO do what he can to defeat
the reelection OF Mr.. Cleveland. said to-
day:
The recent interview printed with Mayor
Hewitt. wherein he saws that he is on the most
friendly terms with President Cleveland re-
calls TO my mind a somewhat extended inter
view had with Mr.. Hewitt when he was a
member of Congress during the first session
of the Forty ninth Congress. At that time
was on the staff of the New York World in
Washington, and naturally saw a great deal
of Mr.. Hewitt, and interviewed him fire.
quently upon New York matters. One day
I was assigned by Mr.. T. c. Crawford, then
in char9e of the Washington bureau, to in
terview number of gentleman of either
party, and it came my lot TO see Mr.. Hewitt.
SIR. Hewitt began by saying that he was not
pleased with the situation of things, and,
took, indeed, gloomy view of the outlook
of the party. He said he had done all he
he could for the election ST Cleveland and
was rather proud of the modest part he had
taken IN bringing about the Democratic tri-
! umph. lie said that on the day of Inaugural
| ton or few days thereafter. he went to the
| White House to pay his respects to the
President, and exhibit TO him a sincere in
terest in the welfare of the Executive and
the party over whose destinies he had been
called to preside. In going to the White
House, Mr.. Hewitt SAYS, he was aware that
the President was unfamiliar with the gem
eral political and party situation, as he must
necessarily be, because of his very recent
| prominence in the party, while he Hewitt
had had the benefit of over a quarter of a
I century's experience in the administration of
| public affairs Mr.. Hewitt's language was
+ as follows
II said 10 the President that | felt the
| party had selected gentleman who would
/ be safe and conservative president and
would administer the affairs of government
With honesty and integrity both for the peo-
pie and the party. | then remarked that by
virtue of my long experience il Congress
and the part had taken in the past III the
! party's councils, if there was anything
! could do to aid him in dealing with questions
of State contributing to the welfare of the
| party and to his own success as the head of
I the nation | would only be too glad to do so.
l do not think l was immodest in making
this proposition, because had reasons to
know that Mr. Cleveland was not as familiar
with many things he would have to encounter
as was, and out OF a spirit of fair ess and
justice to him | was willing TO give him the
/ benefit OF all the information and experience
| had. Behold my surprise when the Presi-
dent drew himself up, buttoning his Prince
Albert coat closely about him, and replied
Mr.. Hewitt, | am much obliged to YOU for
this visit, but when your advice is wanted
you will be sent for" | bowed myself out
of his presence and from that day to this
have never crossed the threshold of the
White House and never will, SO long as that
man is there. 1t was, believe, a premed-
ltated insult and took it as such / have
never spoken to the President since and
have no desire to see him again.
Mr. Hewitt continued that it would be
unfortunate for the party if Mr.. Cleveland
should be a candidate for reelection and if
he was he could look to some one else to
help him out