Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-08-23
THEY ARE N0TLAIE
The Letters of Acceptance
Viii Be Issued
AS EARLY As IT is CUSTOMARY
President Harrison Taxes HIS Time.
Grover Is Busy Writing Other
LefteTs-Ths Record.

wAsHISsroS, Aug. 22.-The letters of
acceptance OF the presidential candl-
dates are naturally awaited with inter
est by both parties. The statements,
however, which hsve gained currency
in the newspapers that these letters are
unusually late are not sustained by the
facts 60 far as the democratic candi-
date Is concerned. Since 1870 the ma
tional conventions Of both parties have
been held in June, with the exception
that tue democratic national convon-
ton in 1884 WAS held on July s. The
letters of acceptance of the republican
candidates have been published since
1876, IN the month of July, with the
exception of 1883, when Benjamin Har-
rl.on did not issue ms until sept. II. IL
has been the nabIt OF the democratic
candidates TO be much more dIlatory
than the republicans IN giving out their
letters OF acceptance. With the single
exception of 1880, when the letter was
issued on July 81, no democratic can
dldate for the presidency since 1876
has ever given out his letter until Au-
gust. Cleveland four years ago pub
lshed ms on Sept. 10, exactly two days
prior TO the appearance Of the accept
ance of his rIval, Presiden. Harrison.
In every other year since 1876 the let
ter of the republican candidate has
been before tho public from two To
three weeks in advance OF that of his
rival.
Deliberate in His Action
1t is not the habit of President Har-
rison 10 be precipitate in his acts. He
rarely does an Official act until near
the end of the time when he is required
10 do II. 1t is his custom to use all OF
the time which is allotted to him for
consideration and deliberation. This
is not because he is not ready. but for
the reason that he wishes that every
act shall bo the result Of mature and
deliberate judgment. 1t is true OF
every single appointment small or
great which President Harrison has
made, and of all the bills he has
signed. The latter are rarely ever
signed unless there is some special
emergency, until near the end of the
constitutional limit for sIsning them.
This year President Harrison has
substantial caus. for delay. For more
q
was occupied every day and often far
into the night in the transaction of i'm
portant executive business. Until
within two weeks he has practically had
no moments from pressing demands of
INN edate important affirs of the state
department. During the last days Of
congress be was Mt his post ready to
transact business every hour. In ad-
dition to this his mind was burdened
with the care Of an invalid wife. He
has had practically but, two weeks OF
freedom from officisl care, when he
could give any time to the preparation
of a letter of acceptance.
Has Rad Plenty OF Time.
This ia not true, of course, in Presi-
dent Cleyelsnd's case. He has had
abundant time TO prepare his letter of
acceptance and to have Issued 1t long
ego if ne had not given so much atten-
ton TO answering the letters OF persons
who have named babies after him. The
following table gives the dates on which
the republican and democratic national
conventions met. the dates on which
the candidates' letters of acceptance
were published since 1873.
1875. Republican convention met
June IA; nomination made June 16; let
ter of acceptance issued July 10. DEM
ocratic convention met June 27; nom1-
nation made June %; letter of accept
ance issued August B.
1880. Republican convention met
June l; nomination made June 8; letter
of acceptance issued July IL. Demo-
cratic convention met June 80; nomIna-
ton made June "a; letter Of acceptance
issued July 81.
1884. Republican convention met
juno 3, nomination made June s; letter
Of acceptance issued July 10. Demo
cratic convention met July 8; nomina-
ton made July IL; letter of acceptance
issued hugUst 20.
1888. Republican convention met
Juno 70; nomination made June %; let
ter Of acceptance issued September -.
Democratic convention met June s.;
nomination made June 9; letter of &C
eeptance issued September 10.