The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-11
SOME SECRET HISTORY.
HOW HARRISON CAME TO BE THE
REPUBLICAN NOMINEE.
Depew Tells Why He. Gave His Dinner
Party to the New York Delegates
Vino and Choice Menu Caused All
to Shout for Tippecanoe.


New YoRK, Nov. s.-Chauncey NJ. De-
pew is authority for the statement that
Gen. Harrison owes his elevation to the
Presidency Of the United States primarily
to the effects OF dinner party in Chicago.
Mr.. Depew made the assertion by in
ference this morning in an interesting mar
ratve Of the inside workings OF the New
York delegation at the Chicago conven-
ton, Many persons have heard of the
dinner by Mr.. Depew to the New York
delegation after his withdrawal from the
Presidential contest on the second day of
the convention. But the effects Of that
dinner had not been made public until
Mr.. Depew told it today.
after the first days balloting," said
| Depew, ut was apparent that the West
was so much opposed to the candidacy of
a railroad President that there was no
show Tor me, so determined to withdraw.
Then the important question was: Whom
should the New York delegation support
| Their preferences were numerous. Some
insisted on voting for Blaine till the end,
and others wanted 10 break for Sherman,
Gresham, and the other candidates. As
chairman OF the delegation called con-
ference OF the four delegates at large, who,
| OF course, controlled in q measure the
course OF the delegation. We met-Sena-
tor Hiscock, Thomas G. Plat, Warner
Miller aud myself. | spoke first, and
proposed that Benjamin Harrison should
be supported, as lac was the most available
man ON account OF his record us soldier,
his record in the United States Senate,
! and, confess, urged his adoption by us
on the sentimental ground that he was the
grandson OF old Tippecanoe.
"Mr. Platt favored another man. Sena-
tor Hiscock had different choice and
Warner Miller wanted q third man. Still
We were all willing 10 surrender our prefer
ences in favor OF the others for the good OF
the party. No, won't tell you the prefer
ences OF the other delegates. ! only say
that alone favored Harrison. A long dis
cussion ensued. did my share OF the
talking, you may be sure, and the result OF
the discussion was that the four OF ms
agreed on Harrison.
Then | called a meeting Of the whole
New York delegation. All were present.
! told them OF the action OF the delegates
ut large and asked their opinions. Fifty
eight agreed with Us and lwcnty-iour diff
icrcd. No amount OF persuasion could con-
vince them that Harrison was the man Ia
win. Here was n snag OF large size. New
York wanted the honor OF naming the
President; still II could not be the deciding
factor in the convention unless after my
withdrawal II would 10 solidly for some
other candidate.
"What did | do? Well, / thought the
| l..
the delegation To dinner. | did not try
10 convince the rccalcitranis. ] simply
gave them good things to eat and good
drink TO enlghten their understanding.
And behold the result. By the time the
dinner was ended every mothers son was
shouting for Harrison. This result was
largely due TO speeches by Senator Ills
cock, Warner Miller, ex-senator Plat and
Senator Fassctt, who, after the iirst confer
ence, heartily supported Harrison. Tho
rest Is ancient history. New York voted
for Harrison and he was nominated by ac-
clamation. The dinner solidihed New
York's vote. What's the matter with a
good dinner as n political factor2" asked
Mr.. Dcpew, laughing heartily.
Mr.. Dcpcw gave some interest opinions
on the result OF the Presidential contest:
Cleveland would have been elected. he
said, but Tor the prominence he gave TO
the tariff issue by his message 10 Congress.
That Is the great cause Of his defeat. II
he had let the tariff matter alone l am
confident that his plurality In this city
would have been fully 1900 and he
would have been elected. The tariff
issue placed the Democrats on the do
icnsiye-in the position OF explaining n
matter not understood by the masses.
When the workingnan heard the various
orators he looked on the question In this
way: Il am now earning my bread and
butter; here II Il on the table before me.
Perhaps the Democrats are right In saying
that the adoption Of their course won'H
give me more bread and butter, but how
do | know they are not decciving met /
guess I'll take the bread and butter In
hand rather than risk tho chance OF losing
Il by doubtful attempt 20 gain more.
This II tho argument that workingmen
repeated 10 themselves, aud you see their
decision by the vote OF this state. | am
willing 10 confess that Cleveland had a
chance for good walk over before he
sent his message 10 Congress. That mes.
sagc and il embodiment In the Mills bill
is the cause Of Tour success"
"what do you think the Republicans
will do In the matter Of tarin reform when
they are In power"
II cannot tell what the whole party
layorS, but think that there will be re-
vision Of the tarn inequalities The tariff
must be revised, but by Its friends, and
the protective principle must DO pre-
served"
ITO what do you attribute Hills sue
ccss2"
"well, the chief cause Is his record on
the liquor question. by II he gained thou
sands Of German votes Then he u one
OF the smartcst politicians In the country,
while Cleveland IL not a smart politician.
IIill has a large personal following, while
The supporters OF Cleveland seem 10 adj
here 90 him ~ matter Of onerous duty"
"what was the effect Of Blaine's speech
cs7''
"Thoy helped Harrison greatly. Ho
brought his personal adhcrcnis 10 the llar-
rison standard and thereby, perhaps, gave
Harrison several thousand votes In this
and other States"
whats the matter with your going Into
lIarrison's CabinetP'
That's not all right" replied Mr.. De-
pew. mo Cabinet Office for me. ! am
too busy with railroad affairs. could not
be nominated because ! am president OF
railroad and l am not going 70 accept
position under the candidate" There was
no trace Of bitterness in this. declaration.
1
Tho yard should be graded with gravel
10 ~ 20 incline the water 10 flow away
| from, the hovso aud the well ahould 10