St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-01-26
CITY HALL CHAT.

The contingent that has returned from
Washington is full of interesting anecdotes
OF their trip. Mayor Smith takes the sItua-
ton philosophically, and says that 1t may all
be for the best. lie prOnounces Chicago the
best convention city in America, and he feels
that the convention will be so well taken care
OF that even the patriotic st. Paul Democrats
will be delighted.
Aid. Sullivan who listened to this philo-
sophical reverie, proposed wager that the
Twin Cities will give better Inequalities to
the Republican convention than the Demo-
cratic convention will receive i'll Chicago.
He feels that the latter is such big place
that the city will pay little attention to those
little details that make up the very essence
OF genial hospitality. The Twin Cities, he
urges, will labor with Spartan courage to
make the Republican convention such sue
cess that all the politicians will go home
fully resolved to use their influence for hold
ing the very next national couventson either
in ST. Paul or nneapolis-probably i'll the
former city, if the auditorium is built.
s 5
The delegates all saw both President Har-
rison and Secretary Blaine. They were
struck by the debilltated appearance OF Mr..
Blaine. He walks only with the support Of
two strong friends who hold him firmly by
either hand. Mr.. Ponthau said that he felt
shocked when he looked the statesman in
the face. 1t was undoubtedly the count e,
nance of very sick man.
1T would be suicide for James G. Blaine
to accept a presidential nomination." said
Mr.. Ponthan. His friends in Washington
all express this opinion" he pursued. 81
talked with good many politicians, who are
admirers of the statesman's abilities and
they all shook their heads gravely when
adverted to his possible candidacy. 1t see ms
foregone conclusion in Washipaton that
Harrison will receive the nomination. l met
the president several times. He is an austere
man, who assumes great deal of dignity
He is in rugged health. but he is not strik-
ing man. Below the ordinary stature he
would not attract remark from stranger -
s 5 s
Aid. Sullivan, when in Washington, was
also struck by Mr.. Blalne's palpable Illness.
But he is very genial man." said the
alderman, land he has wonderfully rentent
i've memory. He greeted many of our dele
CATION by their first name Or title, and hap
PLY recalled meetings aud incidents of years
ago. Gen. Sanborn said to him:
Mr.. Blaine, these are st. Paul gentle
men
"'Oh, yes; know great many St. Paul
men. he replied almost gaily; I have many
friends there, and he shook hands with us
in hearty, cordial way that left no doubt of
his sincerity
S s
But it was quite different when the Re-
publican national committee called on the
president" slyly intimated Aid. Banholzer
and Mr. Sullivan felt constrained to admit
that there was truth in the hint
Il found that Cleveland was very popular
in Washington" observed Mayor Smith, but
he wasn't half SO popular as Mrs. Cleveland
was. l am told that there never was lady
in such universal esteem"
s S s
Il remember her WE'LL Interpolated Tom
Grace, who sat near the mayor with proud
twinkle in his eye, ''when she was q little
girl and going to school here She used to
come to my we'll to get water, and many's
the time I've pulled her pail out of the well
with a long pole after she had accidentally
lost it, aud stood there helplessly looking
down in the we'll. A bright and sweet little
lass she was, too. but we never thought then
she would ever reign as the first lady in the
land