The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-17
ONE MANS SCHEMING.
HOW THE IRISH VOTE WAS SWUNG
TO BLAINE IN 1894.
Alexander sullivan's Plan to Control
the Democrats Fails and He Swings
the Secret Order Over to Blaine in
Revenge.

The close connection between the pres
ent Administration and the Clan-n Gael
Society and between Secretary OF State
Blaine and Alexander Sullivan is causing
politicians and statesmen at Washington
to watch proceedings with profound in
terest 1t is expected that during the trial
OF Cronin's murderers the secrets OF the
Grammatical will be exposed, and indi-
rectly great deal OF light thrown on the
two last Presidential campaigns. That
the Clan-na-Gael-body, brooches, dyna-
mite and all-solidly supported the Re-
publican candidates both in 1884 and 1888.
there Is not much doubt. That the means
adopted to induce the rank and file of the
order TO vote solidly for Blaine and four
years later for Harrison will be brought
out on the witness-stand is equally GER
tain. Sullivan's ambition was towering.
He hoped to be Cabinet officer, Sena-
tor OF the United States, Vice. President,
and even President. A good many inter-
esting stories Of his "fine work" are being
told here by people entirely familiar with
him.
STORY OF THE 1884 CONVENTION.
When the Democratic National Conven-
ton met in 1884 there was large number
| OF well known Irishmen (most OF them not
delegates) on hand TO oppose the nomina-
ton Of Grover Cleveland. Among them
were James Mooney, OF Buffalo; VIM.
Purcell, editor OF tho Rochester Union and
Advertiser; John Dewey, OF New York; ex-
Sheriff Thomas Desmond, OF San Fran
cisco; John Fitzgerald, OF Lincoln, Neb.,
president OF the Irish National League;
Patrick Egan, James L. Gallagher, OF
Brooklyn; 7. X. Walsh and Patrick Smith,
OF Cleveland, o. These were reinforced
by a number Of men from Chicago and the
surrounding States, who were more or less
connected with the Democratic party.
One night in the early stages OF the con-
vention County Judge Prcndergast, OF Chi
cago, then a stanch friend OF Sullivan,
but now one Of his bitterest enemies, sent
word TO a select few OF these lrishmen that
he wished them TO meet him on the fol-
lowing morning at s o'clock in Alexander
Sullivan's Office, the Judge having to be
in court ut 8 o'clock. About twenty five
men responded, including Alexander Sui
livan, John Fitzgerald, president OF the
|
was not then n citizen; Thomas Desmond,
j. i. Gallagher, L. Smith, brother OF
Patrick Kelly, the Democratic 'boss" Of
ST. Paul, MINI, and p. X. Walsh.
Prendergast briefly stated the OBJ
jet Of the meeting. lie said
he had been In communication with John
Kelly OF New York through Thomas +.
Grady, the present State Senator, who bit
terly opposed Cleveland, with view 10 al.
laying the Irish opposition 10 Mr.. Glove
land and OF ehecting compromise. The
proposition was 10 this effect: THAT II
the Democratic convention would nomi-
nate Alexander Sullivan for tho Vice
Presidency Of the United States the Irish
would forego their opposition to Cleveland,
and this would be a guarantee that the
Cleveland Administration would not be
pro- English or anti-Irish Judge Prender-
CAST now says that he made that PROPOSE
ton at tho direct request OF Alexander
Sullivan, and that il emanated from Sui
Ivan and not from John Kelly. The
proposition fell like wet blanket on the
meeting, but rs Sullivan was present and
anxiously watching the effect, each one
was reluctant TO express his objections.
One after another, In halt hearted way,
several men said they thought the propo-
| hllou u kOou one ultnougu tnclf llcCS eN-
pressed the contrary belief.
When IL come TO Patrick Egan's turn his
face boamed all over with smiles. and he
said the proposition was excellent Mr..
Patrick Egan Is now our Minisiort 10 Chilli
and boasts OF his friendship with Secretary
Blaine and the services lac has rendered
10 the Republican party.
DEvoY orrosED THE SCHEME.
Whom Il came John Deyoy's turn 10
speak lac said that he thought the propo.
sition a decidedly bad one-bad for the
Irish cause, bad for the standing OF the
Irish people In America; and worse still
for Alexander Sullivan himself. The prop
osition, ho said, was suro TO be rejected
aud the demand would awaken a general
feeling OF hostility 90 the Irish pcople-it
would DO the first genuine excuse for the
know nothing movement; moreover II
would turn the majority OF the Irish PEG.
pie themselves against Irish organizations
and make them believe they were organ.
izing only for the political advancement Of
men elected 10 Office In them. At that
time Sullivan was president OF the Irish
National League. IL would be said he had
used that position for his personal advance.
mcnt and In the end II would ruin him.
/
in tho United States, having heard that
sullivan was born In Canada, where hi,
father Il now residing. Sullivan replied
that he was born In Maine.
Seeing that a majority Of the meeting
approved Of Dcvoy's views, Sullivan SAFE
that he came there not knowing wha
proposition was 81 DO made, but when Il
was started thought Il bcttor 10 let Il b
decided on is merits. Egan, too, 10
marked that ho saw the thing in a new
light aud advised that tho subject be
dropped. Dewey, however, was never Tor
given for the break he had made.
After the nomination Of Mr.. Cleveland
Alexander Sullivan, then president OF the
Irish National League. devoted himself e
the work Of Withholding the Irish dcclara
ton In favor OF Mr.. Blaine until som,
agreement could DO made with the Rcpub
lican candidates
TUE BOSTON FARcE
The farce enacted at tho Boston convcn.
ton OF tho Irish National League was part
OF his program. At q private caucus hello
the night before tho convention, II wa
decided that Sullivan should be reelected
president OF the League and decline, and
that Egan should thon be elected. II wa,
done. Sullivan went on 20 New York, and
at a big meeting OF the Clan.na-Gacl Ia
brooklyn mado n speech, which was re-
ported fully In tho Brooklyn Edgle. Tho
sicnographcr, John Nolan, was paid by
Sullivan. Michael Boland followed, and
laudcd Sullivan ne a man Of genius, who
was q leader Of tho Irish race. Next day.
after the Brooklyn Idgle report OF thC