St. Paul daily globe., 1893-06-14
PLAIN LANGUAGE.
Details Of the Famous Converse
tion Between President Cleve-
land and Mr.. Sheehan.
The Lieutenant Governor Plainly
Told That No Secret Pledges
Would Be Made.

NEW YORK. June 13.-The Herald
prints the following: Mr.. Cleveland's
own story of the famous little dinner
party at the Victoria hotel, at which
Mr.. Sheehan's nose was tweaked, so to
speak, is quite interesting. This is the
way it is repeated by an intimate friend
of the president. and is the first time it
has been made public in its details:
Mr.. Whitney had urged upon Mr..
Cleveland the Importance OF
meeting the surly leaders of
the Democratic organization with a
view to harmony. The ex-president
was unwilling at first. He insisted the
fight at Chicago had settled the ques-
ton of personalities, and there wasno
more reason that he should 70 to New
York and make Overtures to Mr.. Hill
than he should go to the followers of any
other defeated man in any other state.
If they were Democrats it was their
duty to support the ticket. Finally,
however, Mr.. Whituey's arguments pre-
vailed, and Mr. Cleveland started from
Buzzard's Bay to meet the sullen lead
ers. When Mr.. Cleveland met Mr..
at him with curious smile.
"Well, Whitney, have you got your
dinner ready?"
"Yes, everything is ready"
''Who will be there tonignt?'
Murphy, Sheehan, Croker" and Mr..
Whitney named the invited guests.
There was a moment of silence, and
then Mr.. Whitney laughed.
81 saw Sheehan at the Hoffman house
today" he said, "and he says ne intends
to read the riot act to you tonight
Il have heard that he intends to do
something of that sort" said Mr.
Cleveland quietly. land have come to
New York SO that he may have good
opportunity"
When the dinner was ended that
night Mr.. Sheehan turned to Mr.. Cleve-
land and said there was a matter of
business to be discussed. Mr.. Cleve-
land expressed willingness to hear
anything that might be said. MI. Shee-
han told HIM then that the gentlemen
present were the leaders and repre-
sentatives of the Democratic orgauiza-
ton in the state of New York, and they
wanted to come to definite under
standing with him, and they did not
intend to take any chances this time.
"Well, what do you gentlemen want?"
asked Mr.. Cleveland.
w . Wolg DlCuSCO AIOh JOuS Odlu
Mr. Sheehan. "We want to know what
you are going to do if you are elected.
We want you to give us promises that
will satisfy US that the organization will
be properly recognized il you become
president again."
Mr.. Cleveland doubled up his huge
fist and smote the table. "Gentlemen,"
he said, speaking slowly and with al
most painful distinctuess. II will not
go into the White house pledged to you
or any one else. / will make no secret
promises. I'll be damned if l WILL"
Again the big fist whacked the table.
"What are you going to do, then?" in
quired Mr.. Sheehan, cynically.
''I'll tell you what Pm going to do"
said Mr.. Cleveland, as he rose to his
feet. 81 Intend to address letter TO
the public in which | shall withdraw
from the ticket. | will write that let
ter before | sleep tonight, and give it to
the Associated Press. | intend to eX-
plain my situation, and to report what
you have said to me here. | will tell
the voters of the country that | cannot
give any secret pledges, and that unless
do you will not support the Demo-
cratic ticket, which means the loss of
the-state of New York ana defeat. l
Will tell the voters tnat L 90 not want TO
stand in the way of Democratic vic
tory. That is what l shall do. Then,
gentlemen, you can pick out candi-
date to suit you, and if he is proper
man and the candidate of the party l
will vote for him."
There was pause. "But III tell you
one thing, Mr.. Sheehan," said Mr..
Cleveland, as he turned to the now
breathleSs lieutenant governor. 'In my
opinion, public Indignation will snow
you and your organization out of sight
before the end of week."
Mr.. Gro ker leaped to- his feet. "This
must stop, Mr.. Sheehan." he SAID. II
agree with Mr.. Cleveland. He cannot
make any pledges, and it is not right to
ask for them"
So the dinner party separated.
Il tell you what it is," said the eX-
president, as he related the story, Tho e
fellows got hold of Mr.. Whitney and
ratified him. He was actually ratified.
They scared him."
A gentleman who saw the president a
few weeks ago says Mr.. Cleveland now