St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-09-17
Four Checks That Went to
Albany to Aid a Good
Cause,
And Came Back to Michigan
With Growers Sincere
Thanks.
Mayberry's Bold Defiance OF
Don and the Fate It Met
With.


and Grover. Villas may not have been
personally Objectionable to the presi-
dent, but politically he certainly was.
The Northwestern states are in the
"backWoOds," but it was known to
Democratic politicians in Wisconsin and
Minnesota two years ago that the presi-
dent frowned upon the political schemes
OF Villas and the manner in which he
thrust his ambitions forward.
1t was Minnesota Democrat return
ing from Washington in 1886 who pro-
nounced Mr.. Villas to be ian egregious
political ass" AS this Minnesotian had
Just left the president, the word went
forth that he held the same opinion, and
that is firmly believed here to this day.
Dickinson, on the contrary, won the
presidents heart long before the latter
was lnaugurated, and in way to make
him forever standby of the admins
tratiOn.
The story of how he did it is charac-
teriStic of the man, not alone as a pol
itician but man, and bears out the as
sertiOn often made that he is one of the
most sagaciOuS politicians in the coun-
try.
THE STORY.
Just after the preside ntial election of
1884, and wien the country was still in
| doubt as to how New York had gone.
Dickinson, then at Detroit. conceived
the idea that the president might need
money.
Rumors were afloat that the Repub-
| licanS intended to contest New York,
carry the election to the courts and by
| repetition of the acts of 1876, prevent
the Democrats from winning.
Hearing these and knowing that
Cleveland would need money if the con-
test was commenced. Dickinson deYel-
Oped an original plan to aid him.
He telegraphed Peter White, of Mar
Qette. as follows:
"Will you go in a deal with me for
$4,000? Wire at once"
He sent no other information than
this to White, but the latter wired back
that he was in for $4,000, and by the
next mail forwarded his check for that
amount.
Dickinson next called on G. Y. Fl.
Lothrop and William B. Moran. of De-
troit and asked them if they would 90
in deal with him at $4,000 each.
They promptly handed them their
checks for that amount, but without
gaining any knowledge as to what he
intended to do.
Having secured S45, 900 in this manner
he added to the amount a check for
$4,000 from himself, and packing his
grip he took the next train for New
York.
He went direct to Albany, where the
president was, and, calling at the eX-
ecutlve department, sent in a plain
card which read:
Don NJ. Dickinson, Detroit, Mich"
Mr.. Cleveland was in and received him
at once. The two had never met, but
the president held out his hand. with
the remark:
Though know you by reputation,
Mr.. Dickinson: this is the first time l
have had -"
mo matter, Mr.. Cleveland" broke
in Don, i do not wish to take your
time. for | only came on business. l
am from a Republican state, but which
possesses some OF the best Democrats in
the country. We believe that you were
We understand the Republicans intend
to contest your election. You will prob
ably need money to present your case
and, in evidence of our Democracy, [
am authorized to hand you these checks.
Good day, ST."
SURPRISED GROVER.
He laid the four checks in the hands
of Mr.. Cleveland and, without giving
him chance to reply, left the room,
and within an hour was on his way
back to Detroit.
What Mr.. Cleveland thought when he
read the names attached to those four
checks is not to be told. How well he
was gratified subsequent events have
proven.
Home again, Dickinson informed
White, LOthrop and Moran as to what |
he had done with their checks and they |
were all highly pleased and commended |
his wisdom.
In the course of week Dickinson re-
ceived letter from Albany signed |
''Grover Cleveland" In it Mr.. Cleve-
land expressed his qualification for the |
unsolicited offer but assured the quar-
tette that he did not think the checks
would be needed. He returned them
with the provision that if the contest |
was made he should certainly avail |
himself of the generous tender.
This one act gave Dickinson stand
ing with Cleveland that he has never
lost. He was given to understand when
the first cabinet was formed that he
could have seat in it, but declined.
The president then informed him that
he should be consulted as to all the |
federal appointments to be made in |
Michigan and that his 80, K" on petit
ton papers would be considered all
powerful.
1t was not like Dickinson to refuse
this, any more than the famous ''Me |
and Mike" patronage firm of Minnesota |
would have declined the power rendered
them by Grover and a tractable state
central committee.
HIS POWER RECOGNIZED.
The politicians of Michigan soon rec
ogniZed that Dickinson represented the
administration in that state, and that if
they desired to feed ON the ''loaveS and
fishes" they must consult him.
TO some this was not particularly OBJ
jectionable, because they conceded Dick
inson's fitness for the position. To
others it was CALLING, and to one so
thoroughly diStasteful that he then and
there declared for war.
This was William G. Mayberry, of
Detroit, the congressman from the First
district of Michigan. Mayberry is an
Irishman, short of stature, but blessed,
or cursed, (aS you choose to have it,
with fiery and pugnacious tempera-
ment.
He submit to Dickinson! Never!
Irish blood and pride should never seek
an office through him.
''When 1 want an Office" said Mr..
Mayberry. Il will get it on my own
hook. and not by the grace of Don
Dickinson"
Furthermore, declared Mr.. Mayberry,
Dickinson must go. Proud Michigan
could not. must not, harbor ''boSs."
Mr.. Dickinson heard of the mouth
ings of Mr.. Mayberry, but held his
peace for some time. When he thought
that the latter had reached a proper
time to be cut short he held an inter
view with him.
He informed the political pugilist that
the First district of Michigan was about
to nominate congressman.
''The present congressman from that
district is yourself, Mr.. Mayberry,"