Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-05
IS WHITNEY THE MAN?
viii He Be the Next Democratic Candi-
date for President?
4 BRILLIANT CHARACTER SKETCH.
The Notable Success He Has Achieved In
the Business, Social, and Political
worIds-His Traits.
CcorrespOnaenc. o, the Dispatch,

NEW YORK. November 3.--A group OF
men who are well known both in business
and political life were gathered in tho
Fifth-Avenue Hotel the other evening.
They were discussing successful men and
the causes OF their success. President
Cleveland and half dozen men who
have won national fame In a very short
period Of time we're talked OF. While the
discussion was going on one of the by
ISLANDERS, who had been listening silently,
suddenly interrupted the others.
There" he exclaimed, pointing TO
man who was passing through the room,
goes the most successful man In the
country all things considered"
The other men looked in the direction
indicated. They saw n q,het-nannered
man who looked to be anywhere from %
TO 20 years Of age. lie was dressed in
semi mourning, but his dark clothes were
faultIess in fit and make and Of rich mate
rial The man himself wss above the
middle height, and we'll built. He wore
no beard save moustache. As he lifted
his hat, in response to the salute OF some
ACQUAINTANCE, 1t was seen that though the
hair was scant on the frontal rart or his
head II was still dark. 4 ,tdr OF eye
glasses rested upon a strong arse. His
face was long and keen. and his jaws
were those OF man quick 70 act a,'1 firm
to persist in any enterprise uron which
his mind was set.
"Winiam c. Whitney" said several Of
the men in unison, and one or two OF
them smiled while several wnistied softly.
yes" said the man Nho had been
speaking. "ex-Corporation Counsel OF New
York and ex-Secretary Of the I.svy W. c.
Whitney, and man who VIII bear
watching both as a man who Is making
his mark I'm the business world. aud also
as a man who is about the best and most
available piece Of presidential timber in
his party"
"Ten years ago." the speaker went on.
that man was comparatively a poor man
and politician Of no especial reputation
outside OF New York city. To-day he Is
worth millions and has national reputa-
ton in politics. II that isn't success. then
I'd like TO know what is.
The speaker quoted was trine strong
in speech, but in the main his utterances
could not be denied. The career of Will
liam c. Whitney during the past dozen
years has been wonderfully successfui.
The rise of President Cleveland IN politics
has been of course remarkable. But II
grew I'm a sense out of fortuitous circum-
stances. Mr.. Whitney. starting his career
as poor boy in lawyers office, became
a leader I'm his profession. a leader in poll
tics, "A leader i'm financial circles, and
leader I'm society even, Of the most ex-
elusive sort. 4 man who can achieve
these results, while he is yet on the sunny
side Of 50, is far from being a common
man. In politics Mr.. Whitney occupies a
position that il, unique. to say the least.
He Is "a friend of President Cleveland and
he is on good terms with Senator David
Bennett Hill. He is popular with Tam
many Hall and also with those who are
opposed to IT, In short. he stands between
all the factions. and as a candidate for
oifice could count on the support OF all.
Il Is a position held by no other man in
New York State. and thc - cltc may yet
be important.
A SAD BLOW.
Mr.. whitney Is not seen 80 much about
New York as he was formerly. The death
of his wife was sad blow to him. for 1t
was she who brought him not only most OF
his prosperity. but much Of his popularity.
Mr.. Whitney has Stunned the public since
his wifes death and has given all of his
time to business. Associated with him
has been Daniel Lamont, his friend, and