The critic., 1890-12-27
What Committeeman stcinwny Saws

Last Saturday week dinner was given
at Dclmonico's to Representative Ashbel
u. Fitch of the Thirteenth New York dis
trict Mr.. William Stcinway, New York's
member of the Democratic National Com
mittee, responded to the toast "'rruc
Democracy and Grover Cleveland The
dinner was II private one, and it was not
until some days after that his speech.
which made a sensation at the time, was
published. Mr.. Steinway was called on
unexpectedly. He took occasion To- assert
that the charge that Governor Hill was
false to the National Democracy in 1888
was false. He said that Mr.. Cleveland
had told him that no man had worked
more honestly and faithfully for the
Democratic Presidential nominee in 1883
than the Governor of the state of New
York
Mr.. Steinway, after paying tribute to
Mr.. Cleveland, as he had known him from
the time he was Il young lawyer and
otherwise speaking in happy vein of the
man of whom he is known to he an adj
mIrcr proceeded:
"And now, gentlemen, at this time and
place an opportunity presents itself for
me to make q statement which have not
before had the fitting chance to make, and
that is that Of my own personal knowledge
and experience can brand as n falsehood
the generally supposed and believed views
as to strife between Mr.. Cleveland and
Mr.. Hill. think it my duty to state to
you facts within my own personal knowl-
edge which prove this conclusively.
"Aftcr had been placed ON the Demo-
cratic National Committee, went to Al
bany in February, lsSS, on matters per
tanning to the National Convention. While
in Albany j called upon Governor Hill
and our conversation naturally turned
upon the Convention. Governor Hill then
said to me that the denomination of Gro
yer Cleveland was a foregOne conclusion;
that nothing could prevent that rcnomi.
nation, and that he, Governor Hill
thought that Mr.. Cleveland was entitled tc
the denomination and should have an OPP
portunity to carry out the reforms which
he had already inaugurated. Governor
Hill then took my hand earnestly in both
of his and added Mr.. Steinway, You are
not politician, and can talk to YOU
freely as ! cannot talk to politicians.
tell you that we are going to have hard
fight in this State, and If we win it will be
after desperate struggle. Mr. Cleveland
will be renominated. As soon as the
time comes for me to appear in the cam
paign,
1 Shall Fight Like HEAVIER for Mr..
Cleveland
and the national Democracy
"And Governor Hill more than kept his
word" continued the speaker, after Il
pause following an outburst of applause.
''He went into the national campaign
like thundcrbolt. No man could work
harder than he did for Mr. Clevelands
election. He spoke at the most effective
points. He went into Connecticut and
did heroic work. | know this personally.
haya tpl and nu,t, Ind no
aside from newspaper reports to prove
this. Governor Hill delivered -four
speeches day right along, one in the
early afternoon, one later in the afternoon,
and two or oven three in the evening.
"He kept 1t up until l saw him pale and
suffering from this tremendous exertion.
IApplause.l If he had not been in the
prime of life, with splendid physique
and the possessor of exemplary personal
habits, he would have broken down under
the strain. lassure you, gentlemen as q
personal friend of Grover Cleveland, that
no man could have worked harder for Mr.
Cleveand's election in 1888 than did Gov.
ernor Hill.
And now, to prove to you that Mr..
Cleveland himself appreciated this work
and commended ii, attended, in Wash
ington, in January, 1889, the last stat,
dinner, believe it was. Yet he accorded
10 hoNclll'V lllll lNll HckilONlDuPluelll
of his campaign labors in conversation
with myself and others at that time.
am glad of this opportunity to make this
statement and to show the falsity of the
assertions as to Governor Hilps attitude
toward Mr.. Cleveland in 1888 and Mr.
Cleycland's opinion ON that attitude
Why Cleveland Lost New York.
Alterward in an interview Mr.. Steinway
reiterated the foregoing, saying;
"Yes, Imade that statement with refer
ence TO the relations between Mr.. Clevc
land and Mr., Hill. 1t was the first chance
| had had, and | availed myself of the
opportunity. have abundant proofs OF
what | said, | can, by reference to my
papers, give the precise date. know that
Governor Hill worked faithfully for Mr.
Cleveland and that the President acknowl
edged ii. Our conversation at the state
dinner took place in the presence of Col
onel Brice and William l., Scott. Mr.
Cleveland stated that Governor Hill had
Il F.s