The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-04-08
A HOPELESS RAILROADER
PRESIDENT HARRIsON'S OFFERS
TO DEPEW.
First Place in the Cabinet and the
English Mission Declined What
Depew's wife and Son Think About

honors, heaped up and flowing over will
make a man distinguished, then the most
notable man in New York to-day is
Cbauncey NJ. Depew. Mr. Harrison counted
on having him in the administration, and
the high offices which other men Squabbled
over were quietly offered to him, but as
qui thy declined. | have undoubted au-
thority for stating that the position of Secre-
tary Of State was rendered to Depew before
it was given to Blaine. While Blaines
friends were asserting that their man had
been slated fro u tine beginning q communi-
cation WIS reposing in Depew's inside
pocket which would have told different
story. But De2ew being kindly man and
not given to Dragging has not, in difference
/ to Blaine's feelings, Intentionally mentioned
the matter where it could be made public.
and this is the first time it has been stated
with knowledge | know positively, also,
| that he was offered the position OF minister to
England. This was more of temptation
than the first, and he hesitated,
which explains the delay in filling
| that mission. 1t was choice be-
tween ambition and riches. His de-
cision seems inexplicl ble and a great pity,
| inasmuch as his charac or does not indicate
a man avarcous for wealth, and that he
seems so eminently fitted for successful
| public career. The secret may be found
| largely in the influence Of his wife. She
| deprecates public life because it breaks up
! tie home life, makes public property of
| private affairs, and would Dscessitate her
| sharing her husband with all the world,
which abe feels loath to do. And he &C
| Quiesces, and agrees upon the whole that
sue is wise.
Still, it cannot be believed that with his
powers aud his opportunities no is not rest
! i've under inaction. as it not enough TO
be the foremost orator Of your day in
American inquiries the fond wife. 10,
that's nothing he asserts with a convic-
ton which betrays that deeds only would
satisfy him.
"Well, Chauncey, would you rather have
| your father minister to England or presi-
| dent of the New York Central!" he inquired
of his young son the other day. Il don't
know, father" was the return. Thus he
addressed the future, which gave him no
answer. Mrs. Depew overheard and
beamed proudly down on him. you've
been wanted for president; is not that
emoughr' There is no hesitation in her
mind as TO the wisest course. ION,
that's nothing unless you get it, p" he says.
| The home life Of the family is one of the
most ideal in New York, aud it is small
wonder that Mrs Depew breads having
it broken into. They live in the large
! handsome house vacated by Dr. VIM. A.
|
Washington. The house has been re-
decorated throughout since the Depews'
acquisition OF it, Especially characteristic
of Mr. Depew's taste is the dining room
which has mingled in its decorations appro-
pirate inscriptions in French, German,
English, Latin and Greek. There is
beautiful parlor whose ceiling is domed
and which is flnished-walls, hangings, fur
niture-all in white In Mr. Depew's
study the light from stained window Sits
| through eastern palms, and touches gently
| an Egyptian mummy. and falls upon the
head of sphinx, a sort of furnishing which
gives the place a twofold interest. The
household arrangements are simple and
without ostentation, though there are
plenty of servants. Two buffers wait at
table, and Mrs. Depew has French maid.
The stable contains three horses, a coupe
and an open carriage.
The family includes, besides Mr.. and
Mrs. Depew and young Chauncey, aged 10,
| Mrs Depew's mother, Mrs. Hegeman, and
the two little daughters Of a brother who
died at he- house a few weeks ago, and
their governess. Mrs. Depsws father was n
wholesale druggist on Broadway, and ac
cumulated large fortune. He was an ac-
complished amateur artist, and Mrs. Hege-
man was, in her day, one OF the finest anna
teur pianists in the city.
The mother of the little girls met her
| u,
with her maid, nine years ago, at the fall
ing of the walls OF the old Madison Square
Garden on the occasion Of a fair there for
the benefit of the Hahnemann hospital,
which she had been one Of the most instru-
mental in promoting. On each anniversary
of their mothers death the little orphans
carry flowers to the hospital. The family
have always taken peculiar interest in
this hospital, and projected grand "cen-
tennial festival in its aid to be given dur
ing the April centennial has Mr.. Depew for
It's president and Mrs. William Hegeman
for'its treasurer
The top fl Dor Of the Depew home is given
up to the children. Here are the nursery
and schoolroom, and here on rainy days
they accompany the governess on imagin-
airy trips through Central Park, young
Cnauncey's lively fancy plying as many
questions about imaginary objects as he is
used to do about real ones Inc young heir
has very active mind and has had to be
kept back in his studies. His mother has
been his only teacher. But the children's
happiest time is in the late afternoon,
for then the great orator comes
home, and it is his habit to mount
to the playroom and Join them in their
games. Seated ubon the floor with the
little ones about him, the hours go by in
telling stories and answering questions, till
dinner time, when he hurries into an even
| Allk ultSS dhu NlAN6o away w SOule Ol6 Oh
the many society and club banquets which
daily demand the honor of his presence He
never writes a speech but usually spends a
few moments in reflection on his subject,
jotting down few headings in the process.
Secretary Tracy's family are still in
Brooklyn aud will not go to Washington
until autumn. The appointment seems to
have been unexpected by them and TO have
left them undecided in their plans. The
house where they have lived many years il
placarded for sale or to let, and they are
preparing to go to the country, but have
not yet decided where. The house is one OF
plain brown stone block on Montague
street.
The family consists of Mrs. Tracy, a son,
two daughters aud a granddaughter The
| eldest daughter, Mrs. Emma Wlmerding,
is widow, and the society member OF the
family. She is fond Of dress and gayety,
and will do her share to enliven Washing
ton during the present regime. Her first
social triumph was scored here at the time
of the visit OF the Grand Duke Alexis Of
| Russia, at which tmo she was about
Is years old. While the country was
laughing at the attempts OF American
women TO entertain the prince, Miss Emma
| Tracy stepped in az though to the manner
bora and carried off substantial honors. IL
was at ball given by the admiral at the
Brooklyn navy yard that she first met the
| prince aud won tho envy Of all the other
girls in her set. or course IL could come to
nothing beyOnd n Dassing aCuuainta