The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-18
wH1rNEY's ANNOUNCEMENT.
It Has Given New Impetus to Cleve-
lands Broom.

1t Has Given New Impetus to Cleve
lands Broom.
The interview published this morning
says New York letter to the Philadelphia
Press, in which William c. Whitney de-
clares not only his purpose to support
Cleveland for the presidency but also hi:
| belief that the ex-President will be nomin-
ated and elected, is the political sensation OF
the day. Mr.. Whitney chose the opportu-
nifty thus to make his position known on the
| eve of his departure for Europe.
For more than two days Whitney has
! been very close mouthed in regard to polit-
/ ical matters. A year after he went outlwith
| the Cleveland administration suspicious
| TO Cleveland as he had been during the
| term which he ser we'd as Secretary of the
| Navy. Mr.. Cleveland's closest friends
! here talked in whispers among themselves
of some Of Whitney's curious actions.
They did not like his new rela-
tions with the Tammany Hall
leaders. They could not understand
why he seemed to shrink from asso-
citation with men who had been with him
for so many years in his contest against
| Temmany. There grew up an almost I'M
perceptible GOODNESS between himself and the
ex-President 1t was nothing upon which
any one could place finger, and their ap-
! -
was the suspicion of indifference, and it led
even Cleveland himself to suspect that
Whitney might have the presidential bee
buzzing in his own bonnet.
A year later Mr.. Whitney's intimacy
with Tammany's leaders became 50 pro-
nounced and his influence with the organi-
Zstion so strong that il was freely said that
he was the virtual il not the nominal mas
ter of the men who controlled Tammany.
His purpose in cultivating these friendships
became apparent, however, IN the course OF
few months when it was m ade plain that
he desired the friendship of Tammany in
order that there might be no opposition to
certain business plans of his and his mon
eyed associates involving the consolidation
of New York street railway systems and
the opening of Broadway and other streets,
that cable plants might be laid.
WHITNEY AND HILL.
When last summer and fall Gov. Hill
seemed to be making rapid strides toward
mastery of the Democratic party, Cleve-
lands friends thought they saw some indi-
cations that Mr.. Whitney would be a silent
if not an open ally of the governor. In De-
cember Gov. Hill proposed by verbal mes
senger that Mr.. Whitney accept the sena-
torship, and promised to secure for him
unanimous nomination in caucus. Mr..
Whitney, however, declined the PROPOSE
ton. He said, with apparent sincerity,
that he did not care to go to the Senate,
and he is probably the only man in New
York politics in the last fifty years who has
thrown away deliberately seat in that
body.
When the opposition to Hill began to be
developed, and it was plain that strong men
and powerful influences would be combined
to shatter Hills prestige in the state Mr.
Whitney kept aloof. Cleveand's friends
did not dare even consult him. They were
fearful that he was, secretly at least. op-
posed TO the denomination of Cleveland
Cleveland himself made now and then cer-
tain remarks which indicated that be, too.
was Of that belief. Whitney himself kept
absolutely quiet. He seemed to shun poll
tics and when the subject was broaohed in
his presence he changed it.
After the anti-Hill organization began to
take shape and it was clear would be pow
erful and impressive movement, Mr.. Whit
ney gave his first indication OF interest in
current politics. He seems to have made
up his mind, for he surprised the committee
having the organization in charge by send
ing to it through personal friend a check
for SIC. 900. He was also appealed to, and,
it is believed successfully, for AID to those
who we're attempting to overthrow Hills
machines in his home county. These indi~
cations of his determination we're received
with great Joy by Cleveland's friends
not only because they were glad to welcome
Whitney back and to count upon his aid in
securing Cleveland's nomination, but be-
cause of the evidence Whitney's action fur
nished of his belief that Cleveland's nomi-
nation is inevitable.
Since this subscription was made cordial
relations with Whitney have been resumed,
and he told one of his friends that before he
took his spring vacation he should take steps
to have his opinions and position thoroughly
understood. He appears TO have chosen the
form of an interview.
SEVERE BLOW TO HILL.
Politicians are saying to-day that Whit
neys announcement in favor Of Cleveland
is the severest blow Hill has yet received.
Its moral effects expected to be very great,
for democrats in other parts of the country
will be sure TO be impressed by this publi>
cation with the idea that Whitney expects,
if he has not heretofore desired, Cleveland's
ren mination. 1t is one of the reports that
before Whitney sailed he saw Senator Cor
man, and that German agreed with him
and political manipulation would probably
be poweress to prevent his nomination.
The interview will be a great disappolnt-
meut to Gov. Hill. He has counted on
Whitney's support, courted his favor, and
would have been willing to make any
pledges to W hitney which that brilliant and
subtle politician might have demanded. But
Whitney, in his relations with HILL as well
as in his entire conduct for the past three
years, has carried himself with singular
adroitness. although he came very near
making bitter enemies of Cleveland and