Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1893-09-28
MIR WBITNEY EXPLAINS.

He Gives to the Public the Cores
pondence In Relation to the APP
p0fntmcnt OF j. J. Van Alien as
ambassador to Italy and Says That
1T Was Not Given as u Reward for
His Contribution to tho Campaign
Fund.
NEW YORK, Sept. 27.-William O. Whit
ney, who has been charged with promis-
ing the Italian mission to J. J. Van Allen
for $4,000 contribution to the demo
cratic campaign fund, gave out for publ
cation this afternoon the following letter:
To the Editor of the World.
If alone were concerned should pay
no attention to the slanderous matter con-
cyan Aliens Bargain" So far ss I per
eonally am concerned any one who chooses
to think me capable Of bargaining an Office
for political contribution is welcome to
their opinion. Having lived good part
of my life in public affairs am certain
that no one for whose opinion I have the
least regard would entertain the thought
for moment. But there is much more
than my personality in this matter. Mr..
Van Allen has been set upon and libelled in
every way. I propose to relieve him from
blame 80 far as have relations with him.
The allegation ia specific enough and i'm
putes to US a most diahonorabls transac-
ton. What is the TRUTH I have had
nothing to do with Mr.. Van Aliens candid
acy except what is contained in the follow
ing communication to the president. With
the president personally have never ex-
changed word on the subject. The let
ter and interview accompanying it contain
a complete answer to the allegations:
NEW YORK, June 20, 1898.
Dear Mr. President-I enclose clipping
| from the New York Sun which covers what
| purports to bs AN interview with me re-
garding the candidacy of Mr.. Van Allen for
the mission to Italy. The interview is
substantially correct.
| think in Justice to Mr.. Van Allen ought
to say that With the main facts as stated
in this interview you should be familiar.
made 1t clear to everybody In the CAM
| paign that 1 would assume no obligations,
tacit or expressed, aa to oficss or ap-
pointments, and you are quite awsre that
you have not been asked to perform
any contracts of this nature SO far az
know.
Mr.. Van Allen 10 . gentleman and gave
what he contributed to the campaign free
~ and from an interest In the success o.
the party. He had previously Identified
himself warmly With the party in Raod.
| Island; his candidacy has the support Of
nearly every prominent party man IN bill
state. have been called upon by these
| men to see that his warm support of oul
! party should not initiate against bis can
didacy.
I therefore break the silence which
have heretofore maintained since the In
auguration to ssy that I know Mr.. Val
Allen we'll and that he ia we'll adapted t
the position he seeks, and sincerely hop
malicious stories which have found thei
way into print will not affect adversely.
i w.C. WHITNEY.
To Hon. Grover Cleveland, Washington
Dc
The interview referred to in the lette
| appeared In the Sun, Juua 8. 1t was
| substance as followe:
"Nr Van Allen contributed to the can
, paign fund, but of COURSE am not
t liberty to state the amount any more than
. would to tell what any other gentlema
gave. can say though that Mr.. Van Ale
Il did not give the amount named In the di
n patch. At the time he contributed there WI
no conversation between Mr.. Van Allen an
d myself to the effect that he was TO have tt
: place of minister to Rome. Do you sui
, pose that any gentleman would contribu
with the idea that he was to have plat
in returni The subject was. never mel
toned by Mr.. Van Allen or myself. wi
go further and make 1t As strong as poss
bic when I eayI made no contract for O
fee, expressed or implied, during the car
e psign either In Mr.. Cleveland's name
anybody else's name. made no contrac
with any body. Can make 1t any plain
than thsti During the campaign said