Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-06-30

csts OF the country. For example, he has
been heartily in accord with the build
ing UP Of new navy. lie thinks the
sums appropriated for this purpose have
been wisely expended, and that such
sums may he properly classed as insur-
ance premiums, as no business man
who pays his insurance premiums does
so with the hope of having his property
destroyed by fire in order to obtain the
amount Of his insurance. 1t was no
argument to say that this country need
not build up her navy because there
was no chance of having war, and the
fact Of continuing to remain at peace
being given us u reason for the useless
ness Of the construction of a large navy.
The people who are thoroughly pre-
pared for war arc the less exposed to
the dangers of a quarrel with other
nations.
Senator Gray thinks that the tariff
will he one of the great issues between
the two parties. In this the senator is
not extreme; he thinks that the McKin-
ley bill is very unjust one, and fosters
more the interests of the rich than of
the poor, and that it is more OF a benefit
for manufacturers than for employees.
He would, however, suggest no sweep
ing changes. While he believes free
trade to be fairly carried, so far as the
abstract principle is concerned, yet in
the practical daily operations of life it
is not practical; that the nations of the
earth have to be educated in this direc-
ton, and should move together TO secure
the best results. Any improvement in
the direction of modifying the tariff
should be conservative, with the view
of doing as little possible damage to
large vested interests in tho country
now dependent on it.
To attempt at once to wipe out any
important business interest, without due
notification and preparation, even if the
interests, in the end, OF the many shall
| be served, would not be in accordance
with his policy Of amending the tariff.
Senator Gray's financial record is in
accordance with the best principles Of the
financial world. lie believes in honest
money, and in no method of legislating
value into dollar. lie would favor
the coinage Of silver upon proper
basis, and does not believe that gold and
silver on an unequal basis can circulate
together. In the same way that he be-
lieves it is good in principle and policy
to build up navy he would favor APP
preparations for proper coast defences
In other words, lie would favor any
policy that tended to build up and
strengthen the dignity and character of
the United STATES government. This,
in brief, represents Senator Grays
political belief.
His private life is as spotless as his
public life. He has had successful
career in his own State, having served
there first in public life as attorney
general. 1t can be said of the senator
that he is a thorough gentlemen; he is
above tricks; it would not be possible to
make for him any political combina-
tons. do not think he would move to
the right or to the left to obtain a vote
| in the convention at Chicago. lie be-
longs to the school of public men who
believe the office should seek the man,
and the man never the Office.
tie was a prominent figure in the
Democratic national convention in 1876,
at Cincinnati in 1880, and again in Chi.
cago in 1884, when he proposed the
name OF 8ayard to the convention.
lie has IL very clear, musical voice,
powerful in its lower notes, with an
easy flow of language and II ready fund
OF Illustration which makes him q most
forcible talker before a public assem-
biagc. He is an exceptionally good
lawyer, and has the calm, placid iudg-
mcnt OF man thoroughly experienced
IN public affairs. He has an exception
ally good Judgment of men, and if he
were President he would make fine
administrative officer.
| A Delaware friend of his who knows
him very well land II Republican at
that said of him yesterday: "Person-
ally, Gray is entirely uncxceptionable;
he is II gentleman by inheritance and
education; he is Il very honorable man
in every relation of life; he is sound
lawyer, and good citizen. Although
an ultra. Democrat, he has an alibi on
the rebellion he was perfectly free from
active sympathy with the heresies and
| practices which led the south into war
against the Union; he comes of an old
Wing family, and, since reaching ma
turity he has been generally favorable
TO the cause of national unity"
The same gentleman, i'll speaking of
Senator Gray and his family, continued:
"Ilis wife belongs to one of the oldest
and most respectable families of the
State; She was a Miss Margaret Janvier
Black, u very clever, beautiful woman,
and Tor years reigning belle in this
city and Philadelphia. She is much
admired, loved and respected by every
body in Delaware II is safe to say in
every respect she is the peer of any lady
| who has ever been at the head Of the
White House. The senator has five OF
six children by Il former wife. Two OF
the children-a son and daughter-are
grown up, and both are regarded as very
promising young people. The daughter
| finished her education in Paris last
year, and the son is a graduate OF
Princeton"
Senator Gray is gentleman oil
moderate fortune, and has never been
connected with any Of the great corpo-
ration incrests which struggle at Wash
ington to secure senatorial lawyers as
their advocates. II Mr.. BHyard had not
been in the cabinet with Mr.. Cleveland
| il is probable that Senator Gray would
have been offered the post OF attorney.
general. lie is especially qualified for
such IL post. lie was also mentioned
in connection with the Office of Chief
Justice Of the United States Supreme
Court at the time Mr.. Fuller was ap-
pointed. His selection would have
been a much stronger appointment, and
one which would have been more
heartily approved of by the Senate
judiciary committee.
The senator is just finishing his first
term in the Senate. His principal com.
mittee is foreign relations although he has
done great deal of work in the com.
mittees on patents, and privileges and
elections. lie is one of the most OK
ceptionally clean men in public life.
Ills fault, if any, is Indifference,