New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-08

rsY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBUNE.l
Chicago. Dec. THE correspondent OF The chicago
Tribune at Washington reports an interesting inter
view with the wife OF Secretary Whitney, regarding
the disagrecabie stories which have for long time
been persistently circulated regarding the domestic
relations of President Cleveland Knowing that Mrs.
whitney had been one Of Mrs. Clevelands most In
innate friends since the marriage the correspondent
determined call upon her and learn. If possible,
what she knew about the tue inwarness of the mat
ter Mrs. Whitney received him graciousy.
Il am glad, very gad,5 she said warmly, " TO have
this opportunity to be quoted on this subject have
been often tempted to speak write concerning these
stories about the President IN fact, have found
IT hard to keep stu. and have several times asked
Mr. Whitney 10 let me have my say for the public
ear. Ny indignation has been so great that could
hardly refrain from rushing into print have held
my peace, however, up to this time, and would con-
tinue to do it not for the fact that al din
ner party in New-York only two weeks ago no less
a gentleman than Mr.. Chauncey NJ Depew amused
the guests by repeating many of the vile stories about
the Presidents conduct toward his wife. 1t is IN
credible that of Mr.. Depews standing and
character should help give currency 10 such vile
stories, but this instance shows the manner In winch
the whole scandal has been stirred up. l do not
believe Mr. Depew would undertake personally 10
vouch for the stories which he told at that dinner.
but he told them, and doubtless most Of those that
heard him have since been telling them over
@The only story told by Mr.. Depew on this oc-
casion, In which names used or any particular
Story which one could take hold of, was the old
story about Mr.. WattcrSon, Of Kentucky, taking
Mrs. Cleveland to the theatre one night According
TO the story, the President was angry because his
wife went to the theatre, and on her return he
upbralded her, called her wicked names and finally
slapped her face. This Incredible story was told
BY Mr.. Depew as having been started by Mr. Wat
terson himself gentleman who was at that dinner
party and knew Mr. Watterson wrote him for the
facts Mr.. Watterson replied that he had escorted
Mrs. Cleveland to Albaugh's Opera House; that the
President himself did not go, because he was so
busy with his work. and that their return 10 the
White House the President had chatted and laughed
good naturedly and coureously thanked Mr.. Waiter
son for his kindness. Thus that story was disposed
Of and If the people who tell these lies would
only give particulars, after another
could be taken up in the same manner and eicctuay
disposed OF. But when a man like Mr. Depew, who,
one would think, has too much principle TO do such
a thing becomes the Of spreading such stories
about the President Of the United States think 1t
time indeed that some one competent to speak comes
out in public and denounces every one
of the stories as utterly false and baseless
How the ISLANDERS started in the first place
I don't pretend to know continued Mrs. Whitney.
Sbut we have always understood that many Of them
had their origin 'on the hill ! shouldn't wish 10
that Mr. ingalls, has knowingly set in circulation
false story, but he has been bitter and vindictfve
against tho President. To US, who know the Presi
dent and his wife well and intimately, who know
the whole Of their marriage and Of their we'd
ded life, IL is incredible that any one should for a
believe that he has been cruel TO his wife and
has been much of a brute TO strike her. Mrs
Cleveland has often talked 10 Of her relations 10
her husband before their marriage, Of his tender
watchfuness and for her, of her respect and
childish affection for him. of her looking up TO him.
IL k0v.a M xria
actually followed To who know the facts, there
has always been something and pretty about 1t
au-her years Of gayety in girlhood, her experience
abroad a a handsome and winsome girl but always
thinking Of him, and finally coming back to him. She
didn't marry him because he President OF the
United States and would doubtless have married him
had he not been famous man, though Of course
ft was only natural that mis- high sta
ton had certain glamour and attraction for her.
ave had an excellent opportunity to Judge Of the
tenderness and sentiment of their relations while they
were with US on our Southern trip For a week
we lived together on the train. We were all amused
a. their ioverlkeness The President neser passed
her without stopping to pat her on the head or to
put his hand under her chin and lift her face toward
his She never passed him without loving touch, or
a kiss, or good hug. We laughed
little at them and told them that
they spooney in the good old fashion. sometimes
Mrs. Cleveland would be sitting in end OF the car
the President alone, she would throw down her book
and rush TO him like girl, and begin 10 talk to and
him. What their relationship was then 1t now IS
There has never been any change. and the happy
Of their domestic life has never been interrupted
by an unknd word look or thought I speak with the
authority Of one who knows.
"Why, at Oak View this last summer, their life was
most charming. 1t was ideal, model for all the
millions of good and happy homes In this country.
We used TO see them every day. Often. Of an evening
we ran over from our home at GrasslandS, which you
know is close by Oak View and found them sitting
together the President in his hOusecoat working at his
TABLETOP he's always at work-and she close by him
with her book her dogs about her. her embroidery
in her lap. They made such sweet and simple picture
there, that wish all these scandalmCngcrs could have
looked in them and been rebuked with their
alt that If people would only their
reason, they would see how absurd such stories
The President is much older than his wife. 1t IS
only natural that he should delight in her companion
ship and affection, that he should do all in his
power TO retain her love- that he should be fond of
her and want her TO be fond Of him. Besides, he
is q gentleman. Since he has been in the White
House, he has never spoken unkind or rude word
to any one much less TO the sweet girl he was so
fortunate as 10 win. He is a Presbyterian and the
blood OF generation OF Presbyterian ministers Is In
his veins That does not make rudo men, nor cruel
On her part she has delighted in making his
work lighter by her gayety and little womanly at
tentons and In filling just the place in mis- life she
ought 10 fill She has been proud of him. Of course,
as wife should be and Mr.. Whitney has often re-
marked Of her. she is just the wife for working
man. The President Acknowledges her influence over
him, for she has taken hold and managed him In
all the little domestic affairs just as any sweet and
loving wife will manage her husband. He some
times laughs at the ease with which she, in her
pretty way, moves him about
zone little incident viii show you what mean.
II was related by the President himself They had
an engagement go driving one afternoon The
President busy. As the hour came, the Presi-
dent put on his coat and gloves and stood waiting.
lie waited patiently time, thinking all the while
OF his work Finally he concluded he would teach
her lesson in punctuslity, he threw of bis coat.
removed his gloves and resumed his work, fully de-