The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-04-10
MEN DONALDSON KNEW.
Philadelphia's Ex-Congressman
Talks Charmingly TO the Union
League Club.

The Entertainment COMMITTEES Of the
Union League Club varied the usual
order of their periodical entertainments
last evening and introduced a gentleman
whose remarks were free from the first
century bigotry which has heretofore
characterized the clubs weekly talks.
The speaker was ex Congressman Donald
son of Philadelphia, a gentleman who en-
joys the happy faculty Of becoming inti-
mate with great men. and his talk was
upon ''Some OF the famous men | have
met" He was listened to attentively and
his humorous anecdotes were heartily
enjoyed by such prominent Republicans
as John A. Blair, president Of the club;
George +. Perkins, Thomas McEwan. Jr.,
Colonel 7. +; Wanser, flayel McGee,
George J. Medole, ex-Mayor Gilbert Col
Inns, William Z. Pierson, Postmaster
Dickinson, George Z. Watson, Oliver II.
Perry, E. w. Wooley, John A.
Walker. Spencer S. Meart. School
Commissioner John Reid, the Rev
Mr.. Herr, CITY Hall Commissioner
Emile Datz, f. S. Cowles, William
Turner, w. 5. Gtatten, T. c. Brown. W.
Van Keuren, General John Ramsay,
but without his side partner, Mr.. Cor
man; and Captain John Graham, who
was much interested 10 that part OF the
Speakers remarks which dwelt upon the
Indians. There was also a asspringling of
Democrats pre- ,ent, just enough to lend
eclat to the occasion. Among them were
E. F. C. Young and r. p. Wortendyke.
Mr. Donaldson, who Is a large, fine
looking man OF the Waterson- Hancock
type, spoke for over two hours, and most
interestingly, too. He told OF Garfield,
ho
split Grand Army hat aud the way be
came to doit was that he had such large
head that when he put on the old sugar
loaf army hat he looked as though be
were going around with a bucket on his
shoulders, so he split his hat at the crown
TO make ir appear smaller.
THE GREATEST SOLDIER OF THE WAR.
Sheridan he considered the greatest sol
dier of the war, and said that as time went
on and as the campa1gus OF tine rebeiffots-
were studied by military men that TACT
stood out the more prominent. Sheridan
rose by sheer ability and industry. DE
had no political friends or influence to
push him on, and when the war broke
out he was a mere lieutenant away out
on the frontier. Mr.. Donaldson related
many anecdotes of Sheridan's dash and
energy, and told of his large heart and
kindness toward old soldiers.
He designated General Grant as an
enigma, and said that there were few
that understood him. Although there
were many who claimed TO have been in-
innate friends OF. the General he in re-
alitV had but few intimates. Mr. Donald
son did not seem to have an over-reaching
affection for the good and great Bishop
Newman. whom he designated as
Major General John p Newman, with
the bells attached, and said that the di-
vine Daptised General Grant on the morn
ing of the day It was thought he would
IL f.s.F 70 hat han
tised, but the divine baptised him all the
same. The General was not such a
great smoker as people supposed. He
always carried a cigar between his fin
gers, but it was not always lighted.
In speaking of Lincoln, whom he de-
clared to be the greatest American. Mr..
Donald said that his nomination in 1860
was not ProyideBtial, but was the result
OF hard, vigorous work on the part of his
friends. In the convention OF 1885, which
nominated Fremont, Lincoln received 14l
votes for Vice-PresidenT. The three great
said. were Bismarck, Gladstone and
james G. Blaine.
PRESIDENT TYLER's JAILOR
In addition to the anecdotes of the
prominent people IN history whom the
speaker had met, he related many enter
tanning incidents in the career Of some
prominent figures in Washington during
the various administrations whose fame
is not known outside of their immediate
circle. Among these was Jack Dade, the
man who dispensed President Tyler's
liquid hospitality. One day Tyler asked
Dade what he could do for him, and in
reply Dade said he would like TO have the
position with the largest remuneration
and the smallest duties So the
President appointed him keeper Of the
Washington jail aud soon all vestige of
discipline disappeared in that institution
~. Il 4. N~tw sNAH IAu1r
taking his SHASTA he was disturbed by the
news that the prisoners were in revolt.
He called for his finery. and arraying
himself in all the daDdy's dress of that
day. he went down TO the jail He found
the inmates congregated IN the jail ward
aud mounting a barrel he pompuOusly ad-
dressed thenl. They were negro slaves
and the worst dregs Of white humanity,
but Datie addressed them gentlemen"
He began by telling them that he had
been awakened from his afternoon SHASTA
on that the natal day Of the Republic
with the news that you have reyolted,
blank blank you.'
He then reminded them OF the way in
which he had kept them tor year and
fed them too, and declared that for them
to clalnor for roast turkey AMI ice cream
on the Republics natal day was "Olank
me gentlemen blank. blank ingratitude.
As he proceeded lie waxed warm, and
concluded by declaring with a shower
of sulphuric adjectives, that if they did
not 20 back 70 their cells he'd fling open
the gates and drive them all out aud
make them earn their living.
Next Thursday the silver question will
be discussed, and on the following Thurs
day memorial services will be held with
Major Mckinley as chief mourner.
Good Dog Story, f.
A skye terrier owned by gentleman in