The Portland daily press., 1892-06-18

lM SAEssaSs# gAI on the 21st of
S June, bids fair to
t a 1SYW develop in more
~ Y marked degree
than has ever before been witnessed
what may be termed the social side of
political life. The delegates, alternates,
managers and prominent visitors, in
cluding, of course, the newspaper men,
are to be entertained on scale of sump-
tuous hospitality that, it is to be hoped,
will not interfere with the proper per-
formance of their duties either in nomi-
mating candidate for the presidency or
jim reporting the proceedings at the big
wigwam.
Naturally, Mayor Hampstead Wash
burne, although a Republican, will fig
lure largely as prime mover in the
plans for the diversion of distinguished
guests. He is a young man of ability,
social standing and unvarying polite
ness, and those who meet him will prob
ably remember the occasion with pleas
ure. Through his courtesy and inau-
ence any who SO desire will be enabled
to view the charitable, penal and re-
formatory institutes, and if they choose
to go still further they may explore,
under detective guidance and care, the
,slums wherein vice and crime thrive be-
meath the mantle of night.
If excursions of this sort are not To
their taste the mayor can arrange for
their reception at the public library and
water works, or he can give them an ex-
hibition of two things in which Chicago
takes great and justifable pride-the
perfection of the police patrol system
and the wonderful activity of the fire
department in responding to an alarm.
Although not at the head of the system,
the mayor can also give his callers some
valuable suggestions regarding trips to
the beautiful parks on the North, South
and West sides, and Of course, on their
own motion, those who can find time
will run down to the spot where the
buildings of the Worlds Columbian ex-
position are beginning'to dot the land
scape along the lake shore.
But outside the realm of general sight
seeing, and in the narrower limits of
home hospitality and club receptions,
the prominent part will of course be
taken by Democrat, and the one as
signed to the congenial task is Erskine
M. Phelps, the millionaire merchant,
who is said to belong to all the clubs in
Chicago and to several of the most Sc
Ilect in Boston, New York and Philadel-
phia. He is the founder of Chicago's
ssilk stocking Democratic organiza-
ton known as the Iroquois club, and
actively championed Cleveland's cause
in the campaign preceding his election
to the presidency.
! Some months after Mr.. Cleveland's in
auguration story became current in
Chicago, which was traced back to Mr..
Eugene Field, and as he declined to say
who told him, it has ever since been pre-
sumed that he concocted it. It is to the
effect that one evening while Mr.. Phelps
sat in the reception rooms of the Irouuois
club the telephone rang. The call was
answered by a waiter, who said, s'Mr.
Phelps, some one wants to talk to you."
The merchant went to the phone, and
his side of the conversation ran like
this:
"Hellol"
eyes, it's T."
"Whatl you don't mean it!''
"Well, well, this is an unexpected
honor. Come over and have bottle Of
wine"
Then with his face elate he turned to
his friends and exclaimed: "Gentlemen,
the president has accorded me a great
distinction; am nominated for minister
to England. May I consider you all
my guests for the remainder of the
evening""
"You may"
Two hours later, in response to tele-
gram to Washington, came the crush
ing intelligence that the Phelps chosen
by Mr.. Cleveland was New England
lawyer. Then everybody went home.
| Whether or not the tale is true, and !
am inclined to doubt it, the Chicago Mr..
Phelps has remained one of the leaders
of his party. and so far as hospitality to
visitors is concerned will be distinctly
In evidence during convention week.
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