Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-19
FlTz LEES NEW YORK VISIT.
Tie Says 1t Had Nothing to Do with Poll
tics-His Views,

General Fitzhugh Lee arrived in the
city yesterday afternoon from New York,
and proceeded at once to the Exchange
Hotel Here he was found by Dis
PATCH reporter, and although tired and
trayel-worn, he gave the newsgatherera
hearty welcome. and Was open to con-
versatlon, as he always is to his friends
OF the press.
His attention was called to telegram
from New York dated the 18th tues
day, in which Governor Lee was said
to have told the Tammany men, at a
supper at the Manhattan Club that not
less than "two thirds Of the Virginia
delegates to bo elected to the Democratic
National Convention would be for Cleye-
land, and he himself would go as chair
man Of the delegation" 1t was further
stated in the telegram that Governor
Lee was accompanied by other leading
politicians, and that their mission was Of
u political character.
not or 4 POLITICAL MISSION.
81 was in New York yesterday" said
| the Ex-Governor, "and attended pri-
vate dinner giyen 10y Mr.. Hugh r. Gar
| den at the Manhattan Club 10 the MEM
bers OF the Olcott Committee and the
Advisory Committee in honor OF tho
settlement of the State debt. | went TO
New York on business and was invited
yesterday to attend the dinner by rea-
sou, suppose, Of the fact that | WAS
originally appointed a member OF the
| Advisory Committee, but declined
to serve. The dinner was en-
tirely OF private nature, and
there were q few outside friends in
yited, but there were no speeches and no
| political gathering. | believe that some
one asked me how Virginia would go.
and | may have replied that believed
| Cleveland had a majority, but this
was only passing remark, and there was
no political signiglicance attached to 1t.
This was all that there was III the din
ner."
SUPPORT THE MOST AVAILABLE MAN.
In answer to further inquiries Cover
nor Lee explained his position ia the
coming presidential fight, saying ~
| have been elected delegate from Rock
| bridge county to the State convention.
Up there Mr.. Cleveland has a host OF
friends and l came here as o Cleveland
delegate. would be untrue to
my constituency if 1 were not but
my position is this: While favor
ing Mr.. Cleveland, should i, af-
ter reaching Chicago and conferring
quietly with other delegates, Just as We
are now talking, be convinced that there
was a more available man that could be
selected, then with thas light made plain
before my eyes, l would without hesi-
fancy give my support to the available
man. This talk about being blinded to
the possibilities that may arise-for
they may be very great-I have
never held, and Of course those
who know me do not credit any
statement that makes me say before
hand that will be the chairman OF the
Virginia delegation. The delegation
selects its chairman, and he would be
wise man indeed who could name the
chairman before the delegation is elected,
which in turn selects its chairman. 1t
would be equally wrong 10 say that | am
not wide awake and open to conviction
If 1t should become necessary to support
any man "that was the most available,
displayed the greatest strength before
| the Chicago convention, and would be
most sure to lead the Democratic forces
in triumph next November"