The sun., 1893-09-28
VAN ALIENS APPOINTMENT.
WILLIAM O. WBITNEr EXPLAINS MS
CONNECTION WITH II.


His Attitude Properly Set Forth In
Tho Sun. whose Article the Ex.secre-
t.ry Forwarded to President Cleveland.
MIR. William G whitney made public yester-
day the following letter. q COPY Of which was
sent to the New York World:
To THE EDITOR OF THE WoRLp-ST: II ]
alone were concerned should pay no atten-
tion to the slanderous matter contained in
your issue Of yesterday. headed. Van Aliens
Bargain" so far as personally am concerned.
any ono who chooses to think me capable OF
bargaining an office for q political contribu-
tion is welcome to their opinion. Having lived
q good part OF my life In public affairs. I am
certain that no one for whose opinion have
the least regard would entertain the thought
for q moment But there is much moro than
my personality in this matter: Mr.. Van Allen
has been set upon and caricatured and libelled
in every way. propose to relieve him from
blame SO far as have had relations with him.
Let us see just what the allegation Is: The
President was disguised with the idea OF ap-
pointing Van Allen, and he tried to avoid It. On
the other hand he had Mr.. Whitney's promise
to Mr.. Van Allen to face. Mr.. Whitney told the
President Of his promise and urged its fulfill
ment - Mr.. Van Alien had been prom
ised tho Italian mission in return for his con-
tribution OF $780, 900 to the campaign fund
The allegation Is specific enough and I'm
putes to us q most dishonorable transaction.
What Is the truth? I have had nothing to do
with Mr.. Van Aliens candidacy. except what is
contained In communication to the President
which shall ask you to print, together with
the interview to which 1t refers. With the
President personally have never exchanged
a word on the subject. The letter and the In.
terview contain O complete answer to the ALE
cations: S,w y,,x Jpn. 70 ,sps
DEAR Mr. PRrs,prSr, 1 enclose . clipping from Tnn
NEW YORK Sun what purpors to be an iu'
teryiew with me regarding tho candidacy OF Mr. Van
Allen for tho mission TO lteiy Ihe ih'etNie" u suo-
stantially correct.
I think In Justice to Mr.. Van Allen ought to say
more with the facts as stated in this interview
you should bs familiar. made 1t clear to every body
in the campaign that would assume no ooigauons.
tac,t or expressed to Offices or appointments ana
Won ars quite aware that you have not been asked
to perform any contracts of this nature so far As
know.
Mr. Van Allen Is n gentleman. and gave what no con-
trbued n :ho campaign freely and from an interest
in the of the party lie had previously identf
fed hir,seis warmly with tho party in Rhode Island:
his the support Of nearly every promi'
nent party man IN his State have been called upon
by tn that his warm support OF our party
should not initiate against his candidacy
Therefore break the silence which have heretofore
nj sin co the auguration to say tha; know
Mr. Van Allen well. and that he Is. In my Judgment. IN
every way adapted to tho position which he seeks and
that hope that tho malicious stories which
have found their way into print will not Affect him
adversely.
There is no obligation upon to appoint him to any
Office; Lu Lse 10 additional for appontto him
that as the result Of very patriotic, generous and
cordial support Of the party in the last campaign.
when friends were few and calls were great no has
been nc cused of dishonorable BARGAINING.
Tby syouk Is the dryt time you nave Doen Ap-
preached by me the subject Of appointments.
verv stint erely yours ". G. WuIrSET.
To the Hon GaorEn CLEVELAND. Washington. D. c.
The interview referred to In the letter was
as follows:
The Hon. william c. whitney was asked at his home.
West seventh street. last evening by Sun re-
porter about despatch which quoted the gossip Of
washington to the effect that while In charge of the
Democratic last fall he pro missed the place Of
Minister to Rome to Mr.. j. j. Van Allen OF New York in
return for campaign contributions made by Mr.. Van
Alien outing to $4,000 The despatch further said
that Mr.. Van. Aliens frst contribution was $4,000.
and that later. upon being encouraged to believe
that his ambition to be sent to kome would
be Rratired. ho increased his campaign con.
tribution by $4,000. and then had NO doubt
whatever thai would be OF tho first dipo.
matio nominations to bo sent to tho Senate. Tho
despatch went say that the weeks went by with
out an indication that Mr. Van Alien to realize
upon his campaign Investment and then came the re.
ports OF falling out between the President and Mr.
whitney followed by tho alleged statement OF Mt.
Cleveland that he has learned 10 ostrust Ar WHIT
ney and his tricks-"
Mr. whitney read the despatch carefully. and he
returned 1t 10 reporter said with more than usual
| emphasis:
nNonsense! Eonsense"
Mr. whitney usually speaks IN rather softly modu.
lated tones. lie Is not exciable citizen But this
| time he spoke In emphatic tones. He continued:
"Mr Van Alien contributed to tho campaign fund.
but OF course. not At liberty 10 state the amount
any moro than would bo at liberty TO tel what otheI
gentlemen gave. can say. though. that Mr. Van Alen
cid contribute either Of the amounts named In the
despatch At the time he contributed there
yersaton whatever between NJ Van Alen and myself
that he to have the place OF Minister
to Rome any other ONCE Do You suppose that any
gentleman would contribute with the Idea that he was
to have place in return Tho subject never
toned by Mr. Van Alien myself will 10 further and
make 1t strong as possible when Say that made
for once express or implied. during the
campaign. either In Mr. Ceveland's name or anybody
else's name. made no contracts with anybody. Can
make It palmer than thAti said during the cam.
paiGn to all, 'Gentlemen when this 10 Am
through
"Ihave not called upon Mr.. Cleveland to fulnl any
campaign contract for tho simple reason that none
was made by me. have not asked him 10 appoint .
m an TO ONCE simply because had said that when tho
campaign wal over was through. say again that
made no contracts either with Mr.. Van Allen or any.
body else There were NO promises male even by In.
ferencs.
that he had learned distrust Mr. whitney and his
tricks can only say thatI do not believe that Mr..
Cleveland ever made that remark"
"Mr whitney" said the reporter. there has been
another version OF Mr. Van Aliens contribution heard
In New York 1t Is to the effect that Mr. Van Allen
firmly believed that he TO get tho place OF Minister
to Rome In consideration of his campaign contrbu.
ons and that when be found shat he was not to have