Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-27
THE GOVERNORS TRIP.
WHAT "oUR FITZ" HAS BEEN DOING IN
THE LAND OF FLOWERS.
An Agreeable Wait Terminated by tho
News Of the Illness Of
Child

accompanied by his wife, Colonel &.
OBJ. Cowardin, of the Governors staff
and Colonel John b. Palmer, vice-presi.
dent OF the Richmond and Danville road.
arrived in Jacksonville yesterday and
were at once driven to their hotel.
During the afternoon many prominent
citizens called and paid their respects to
this distinguished gentleman.
A Times Union reporter called during
the afternoon and was shown to Gov
orDor Lees room, where he was cordial
~ received by the Governor and his
wife. Governor Lee is large, portly,
and fne-lOoking man, and. there is
something striking about him which
would cause one to notice him among
many He is cordial and unassuming,
and one feels in his presence that dis,
position to hospitality for which his
native State is so famous.
Yes, this Is my first visit to Florida, -
| said Governor Lee, "if may except a
few hours at Fernandina once, and l am
very much pleased with what / see here
The town presents a very quaint and
| picturesque appearance, and the climate
Is grand. Florida is really the land of
sun and flowers"
The reporter then asked the Governor
if he had seen the dispatch from Wash
ingtOn in the Times Uaion stating that
he was on a southern tour to advance
the vice-presidential interests, and on
receiving an affirmative reply was asked
as to the truth OF the assertion.
WELL said the Governor, ga man
must have an object in travelling. If ho
occupies public position it is natural.
perhaps, the public should want to know
why he is travelling, so ] have no objec-
ton TO your stcting that ] am simply
taking a little trip for recreation and
rest. Our Legislature has been in ses-
sion all the winter and my work has been
constant and pressing. To get away
from official cares l ran down here and
viii go from here to Cuba, and thence
back 10 Richmond. II there is a Vice
Presidents nest in that [ DO not
know it, and il the papers re-
ferred TO had examined my programme
they must have known the route
was curious one to reach the objective
point they have selected. Oh, no, if
southern man has vice-presidential aspi
rations he should 90 North and West, for
of course the South would be glad to be
represented on the national ticket, and
is only prevented from asserting her
claims by the doubt whether q southern
man could carry the Democratic vote
North. Yes, If 1 was a presidential
aspirant would go North, tell them the
war was over, and that for the twenty
wears since the South has voted with great
manimity for northern men for Presi--
dent and Vice President. and as it fur
nishes the larger part OF the Democratic
fighting force, as matter of fair play it
should select one of the two officers 10
lead the troops. But TO the st. Louis
Convention all such matters can be safely
left, and there all personal or sectional
preferences must disappear and cheer
ful acGuieScence be gwen to the decision
OF said convention. The candidates
must be selected who can best bring rs
victory, even If it is necessary to take
them both from the same State.
Have You any objections, Governor,
to stating your views as to the probable
Democratic nominee for President ,"
Ono. Everything points to the re-
nomination of Mr.. Cleveland. He has
given the country a safe, conservative
Administration, and, think, IS stronger
now than he was in 1884. In Virginia |
hear no other name mentioned, and l
presume be will receive the unanimous
support of the Virginia delegation. The
position of the two political parties is so
: Il y. e ha
of New York, thrown upon one side or
the other, would in all probability
decide the contest. My experience
as n member of national conyen-
tions has been that delegates from
other States are apt to to inquire OF the
New York delegation who best can carry
New York and their response has, Of
course, much weight with the delegates
from other States. In other words II a
man whose name was not generally
known to the public should go to the
national convention with solid dele
cation from New York behind him, it
would at once make him a most formide-
bic candidate for the nomination.
"Who do You think would be the
strongest person the Republicans could
nominate?"
"Well," laughingly replied the Gov
ernOr, cas- Democrat who IS not sup
posed or expected TO know much of the
strength Of Republican candidates, l
think L can safely say that the more
moderate and conservative and liberal
the Republican candidate is the stronger
he would be in the South. One OF those
fellows who did not fight
during the war, but who seem to be so !
anxious to fight in peace, would not
gather much strength in the South, and !
/ hope never to see the day that any man !
is elevated to the presidency OF this great |
republic who bears in his heart hate OF
anv class Of his fellow-citizens
The interview here closed and Gov
ernor Lee went down to the parlor to
receive several callers who were waiting |
to see him.
ERNEST WILTZ DOES THE HONORs.
The Jacksonville NowS OF Friday |
saws: For the first time in the history |
of the Sub Tropical Exposition two Gov
ernors met in the building yesterday aud |
inspected the different displays. One
was Governor Fitzhugh Lee, OF Vir-
pinia. and the other Governor Beaver
Of Pennsylvania, and two more admirng
friends Florida has never had. 1t was
pn impromptu visit, and Special. Com
Ernest Wilt and Sligo Myers
iid the honors of the occasion. Mrs.
lee. the wife Of Governor Lee, accom-
panied him in his visit, as did also Colo
pel J. b. Palmer, vice-president OF the
Atlantic Coast Line, and Colonel Charles
0'Brjen Cowardiu, who is president of
,he Richmond Dispatch Company and
member of the Governors staff.
The general expression Of the party
was one Of surprise at the displays, and
Mrs Lee when shown the crazy quilt IN
exhibit went into raptures over
what seemed years Ct hard work. and
which really had taken over a years
';me 10 make. Mrs. Cleveland On her
gisit called the second time to notice
4 IL that cba yyQq mt /