The record-union., 1891-02-21
EX- PRESIDENT CLEVELAND.
RUMORS AFLOAT THAT HE WILL
DECLINE A RENONIINATION.
Speculation as to Who will be Selected
as the Standard-Bearer
in 1899,
Special to the REcoRp-uN1oN.

special 10 the RECORD-UNI0N.
WASHINGTON, Feb.4 20.-The Post says
to-day that Cleveland is not a candidate
for denomination for the Presidency, and
will not allow his name to be mentioned
to the Democratic National Convention
of 1892.
The Post makes this statement on high
authority, and it's truthfulness will in due
time be well established. His decision in
the matter was made known to close
political friends some days ago, and a
formal announcement of his intentions
will reach the country over his own
name in proper season.
Although the use of Cleveland's name
i'll connection with the next Presidential
nominations has been general, and many
have predicted that he would be the
unanimous choice of his party, he had,
until less than thirty days ago, MAIN
tained silence on the situation, believing
that the eXigencies of the political situa-
ton were not such as to call for an eX-
preston from him. When he made
known to his intimate friends in New
York his determination in the matter
they used every argument to induce him
to change his mind, but found his decis-
ion irrevocable. His determination is
fixed and unalterable.
While he assured his friends that he
felt as keen an interest in the success of
the Democratic party as ever before, and
would respond to any reasonable call
upon him in the future, he emphasized
the fact that it must be as private in the
ranks, not as candidate.
So reSolute was Cleveland in this inter-
view with his friends that they aban-
oned all hope of inducing him to again
become candidate, and have since had
conferences with prominent party men
with view to uniting upon some other
Democrat for 1892. Whether that man
will be Hill, or German, or Abbott, or
Whitney, or whether it will be a Demo-
crat from Western State, is of course
problematical.
Ex-Secretary of the Navy Whitney has
been in Washington for the past few
days, stopping at Chamberlain's, where
he has met many Democratic Senators
and Representatives. 1t is but natural to
infer that political topics were discussed
at these meetings, but it is stated posi-
lively that there is no foundation in the
fact for the dispatches sent out from
Washington yesterday that Whitney's
mission Is to develop Whitney Presis
dental boom. He has declined to be in
tervlewed by newspaper men, but the
DemocractS who enjoy his confidence.
and to whom he has talked, freely state
that his visit is wholly free from selfish
political interests, and that he is not a
candidate, SO far as they knew.
Additional significance is given by de-
velopments of the past twenty-four hours
III the announcement of German, through
his Maryland friends, that he is not q
candidate for President, and that Mary.
land will send solid Cleveland dclega-
ton to the next convention. To MANY
this is construed as a further effort to in
duce Cleveland to become q candidate, by
showing the unanimity for him, but If
such be the purpose there is every reason
to believe it will fail.
THE EX-PREsIDENT RETIcENT.
New York, Feb. 20. = Ex-President
Grover Cleveland said tonight, in refer
ence to the statement published in the
Washington Post, to the effect that he had
definitely decided not to come before the
people as candidate for the Democratic
Presidential nomination in 1892: s'It is
entirely untrue, so tar as am acquainted
with the facts in connection with it. /
believe it a mere newspaper sensation"
The eX-PreSident parted all additional
questions put to him about the story, and
positively declined to define his position
regarding the convention of 1892.
THE STORY DIscREDITED.
New YORK, Feb. 20.-The 15fbu,e's
Washington correspondent says that the
Post S story about Cleveland is generally
received with incredlllity. His closest
friends in Congress know nothing of his
intention TO decline the nomination, and
do not believe the report. Within
four days Mr.. Tracy, of New York, had
personal letter from. Cleveland, but the
latter said nothing of any intention to
Withdraw. He did say, however. that if
a majority Of his party was opposed to
him, he was standing in no ones way.
Mr.. Tracy said that he did not think
Cleveland was at all eager for the nomina-
ton, but felt positive that he would not
decline it If it was offered to him. Some
time ago Tracy said that Cleve-
land had an idea of retiring from
the field, but his friends pointed
out to him that his duty would be to obey
the commands of his party, and he had
agreed not to Withdraw his name, but let
the future shape itself.
Ex-Secretary Whitney, being asked
about the story that he had letter from
Cleveland declining to be candidate in
1892, said: ''The story is without any
foundation whatever"