Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-03-08
"A Chat with Depev.
His Lively Comments on the
Cabinet Selections,
SPICED WITHA FEW LITTLE JOKES.


The Combination OF State councillors a
Good One-Wby Miller or Plat Did
Not Make Connection-Tracy's Exper-
fence with Luxurious Banquet-Wnn-
amaker's solution of Problem In
Christianity A Criticism on Chicago
Newspaper Art.
CHICAGO, March S.-Chauncey NJ Depew
came to Chicago yesterday on a special car
de had with him Cornelius Vanderbilt and
party on tour of inspection Of the Wander
bilt roads. After buying all the evening
newspapers lie retired to his room, where
the reporters assailed him. He was cleaning
the papers ana, noticing the one which con-
tanned his and Mr.. Vanderbllt's pictured, he
remarked: Their type is not so very bad,
but they have bought no new electrotypes
lately, for I've seen this picture used in that
story about Noah and his canoe"
The cabinet is no surprise" said he at
is good, like unto Halrison's character.
know the president made personal sacrifices
for what be thought to be of higher good.
He promises sensible, business-hke, high
toned, and satisfactory administration
why did not Miller and Platt come to-
gether III your state:'
For the same reason that railroad men
can't satisfactorily arrange for the passing of
two lightning express trains ON the same
track. That has been done, but it is more or
less trouble to the patrons. President Harri-
son made an excellent choice, though in the
person of Tracy was i'll the New York
legislature with him twenty-six years ago
and be is a most able man. The only fault
Harrison had against him when celebrating
for a secretary OF the navy was that he
got dreadfully seasick 1t is food selection
because of the harmonizing influence it will
produce on the party, and in the distribu-
ton of offices both the Miller aud Platt fac
lions will be fairly treated
Il remember a story about Tracy way
back in war times. At that time it was con-
sidered beneath tho dignity of man of great
prominence, position and wealth to serve in
the legislature, but Royal Phelps then on an
equal standard with A T. Stewart, taking
in consideration the unsettled condition of
the country, consented to go for one term
The pay was IS per day, and you were ex-
pected to save enough money to sprinkle at
the spring election. Phelps brought his chef
~
like the tavern where they gave you your
choice of either pie or tea Mr. Phelps
retinue of servants nearly ran themselves
down at every feast in bringing on ten or
twelve courses OF the l62 members only
eight owned dress suits, and notice was al
ways printed on the invitations to the effect
that dress suits were NOT required Those
back-numbered rural members sat down TO
a feast never dreamed Of, much less seen or
partaksn of, and they put forth their most
valiant effort TO get on the outside Of the
goodies. Not because they were hungry but
because they did not want to do violence to
hospitality. Three or four DAYS after one of
these dinners, after Mr.. Tracy had recovered
from Its effects, he wrote home to his family
that after the dinner with Phelps the feast
OF Belshazzar has no terrors for me-"
How do you like the selection OF Ruskr'
"Oh, he's all right" said Mr. Depew.
"Wanamaker Is another good man." he con-
tinued. IL think he has solved the came-in-
the-eye-of-the needle IN business affairs, and
that Is the kind of man we want "a general
OF the postoftce department By building
an immense business and yet keeping relig-
ion trotting right along beside 1t neck-and-
neck think he has evidenced himself one of
the pushing, enterprising, and successful
men IN the country. 1t would have been a
great misfortune if Mr. Blaiue had been left
in the cod II would have argued that Hsr-
rison did not understand the relations be-
tween party and leaders"
How about Dir. Blaine for our next presi-
dentF
We'll, don't believe l could guess that. l
know an able politician who has been phil
osophizlng on presidents and he says by the
do t,si,, Of
that no man can reach the presidents chair
over 80 years of age
How does he make that OUT"
Il don't know, but ! do know that if he
revealed his secret there would be the liveli-
est destructi N of family Bibles that you
ever heard Of"
IF your little prophecy refers to Blaine
may it be asked how old you arei'
Il think you are too rude for ANYTHING, SO
now" replied Mr.. Depew, and he actually
blushed to the roots Of his suspenders
Mr.. Depew moved into his new house last
Monday. Il had little Inauguration of my
own down in New York" he said THE
grangars would not furnish me with house
at Washington, so | had to buy one of nv
own
Mr.. Depew said that lots Of paint of the
carmine hue was used during Russell Hsr-
risons capture of New York why, he Is
quite boy" spoke the celebrated after-din-
ner talher, Il guess his Helena newspaper
will win for him both fame and money He
has the vantage of his father, for If anything
goes wrong he can write him up in great
style" At this stage of the game Mr. Depew
was obliged to prepare for an evening en-
and as he looked up his ward
robe the reporter took mis- leave