The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-11-26
HE WANTS NO OFFICE.
That is the Position of Ex.Seeretary
Whitney.

Walter WeIlman Cites Him as an Unset
fish P,litician-How This DrasterfuI Man
Managed the Cleveland Campaign-Don
Dickinson Is Also Disinterested.
Especial Correspondence
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24.-Two weeks
after the election our Democratic friends
have about finished their mutual ex-
change of compliments over their vic
tory, and have taken to watching one
another rather suspiciously. They are
looking to the future, wondering what
they are to get out of the administration
grabbag and improving every opportu-
nifty to say good word for themselves.
This is just like politics" hear the
reader whisper to himself. Politics is
very largelya game of selfshness, and
as rule the man who spends his money
or employs his energies in politics ex-
poets some day or other to reap a rich
reward therefor. But if this rule were
of universal application we should have
very little respect for many of our big
politicians and party leaders.
Happily it is a rule which has many
exceptions. AS student of politics, as
an observer who mingles much wit,
party workers, I want to record my be-
lief that in the higher walks of politics
selfshness is not by any means the con-
trolling motive.
Take the recent campaign, for exam
pie. Without question the most notable
figure in it, aside from the two candi-
dates for president, was William G.
Whitney. His was from first to last the
commanding personality, the center Of
all effort, the handspring of the machine
on the Democratic side. Mr.. Whitney
did not go into this campaign with any
selfish motive. He wanted no office
and wants no Office now. Anything
within the gift of Grover Cleveland, be
it secretary of state, Of the treasury or
minister to, England, is his without the
asking if he will only accept. But I'M
less he changes his mind, which he is
very unlikely to do, Mr.. Whitney will
hold no official post under the Cleveland
administration.
1t is secret which has been tolerably
well kept that a year ago Mr.. Whitney
was not in favor Of the nomination Of
Mr.. Cleveland for president He was
inclined to hold aloof and take no part
in the efforts which were being made in
that direction. Some months later it
became known that he was for Cleve-
land. How were his sympathies enlist
edp Not through any appeal to selfish
ness. Not by any profit or advantage
that was promised for himself. He was
won over simply by a conviction that it
was his duty to stand by his old chief
at is evident the Democratic party of
the nation wants Mr.. Cleveland for its
candidate" argued MIR. Whitney to him
self. land while the party conditions in
his own state are all against him the
Democracy of the country should have
its own way. I believe MIR. Cleveland
can be nominated and elected"
It is not extravaganza to say that when
Mr.. Whitney reached this conclusion the
battle was half won, and it is perfectly
iustifable to add that but for Mr.. Whit
ney Grover Cleveland would not now be
the president elect of the United States.
He held the key to the situation both
before and after the Chicago convention
Whether we be Republicans or Denio-
Gratis or nothing at all, we all admire
masterful man, a great military COM
mander, a notable political genius. And
for this reason I wish all my readers
could have seen William Collins Whit
hey at Chicago. He was superb.
Amid all the storm of battle there was
never ruffie in his feathers. When the
enemy charged most viciously he smiled
most happily. When others thought
the Cleveland cause was going to ruin
he moved easily about, without a shadow
upon his face, without haste Or hustle in
his manner. Not for a second did he
cease to be calm, deliberate, polite, en-
tirely at his ease. well remember one
moment when men were running hither
and yon in their excitement over fresh
rumor which if well founded meant de-
feat to Cleveland, Whitney sat talk
ing over college days with an old friend.
One of his lieutenants, with blanched
face, whispered in his ear. "Pll attend
to that" said Whitney. Instead Of rush
ing away he continued his conversation
half an hour, as if nothing had happened.
All eyes were upon him as he finally
rose to leave the room. On his way out
he stopped to chat in pleasant way
with a dozen people, and it did not much
matter who they were. Whitney is
equally polite to millionaires and work
ingmen, affable to all who address him.
Neither his wealth nor his honors work
change in him or make him anything
else than that which he has always been
an easy going, well bred, kindly, con-
siderate gentleman. Within an hour
probably after hearing the bad news of
which have spoken Whitney reached
the spot where danger was threatened.
In fifteen minutes the skies were
bright again, and the Cleveland sun
shone more brilliantly than ever. There
was some magic in Whitney's touch,
something almostinfallible in his fnesse,
which enabled him, apparently without
effort, without the speaking of hs tsh
word or employment of any cat~tic
method, to accomplish that which most
men would fail in.
One of his strokes saved the day for