The herald., 1893-06-14
WOULD NOT BE PLEDGED
a BIT OF UNwRITrEN CAMPAIGN
HISTORY.
o1eveIand's Own Story of the Famous
Victoria Hotel Diunsr-How He
Tweaked the Noses of the
Tammany Leaders.

New YoRK, June 13.-The Herald
prints the following: Clevelsnd's own
story OF the famous little dinner marty at
the Victoria hotter Ut which Sbeehan,s
nose WAS tweaked, go to speak, is quite
Interesting. This Isl the war it i re.
pested by an intimate friend of TIE
president, and is the first time it has
been made public in detail:
Whitney had urged upon Cleveland
the Importance OF meeting the surly
leaders of the Democratic organization
with view to harmony. The then ex-
president was unwilling at first, insist
ing that the Chicago convention had
settled the question of personalities.
Finally, however, he came on from
Buzzard's Bay. The Tammanv leaders.
Murphy, Sheehan and Croker, were
present at the dinner.
When the dinner was ended, Sheehsn
turned to Cleveland and said there was
a matter of business to be discussed.
Cleveland expressed his Willingness to
hear anything that might be said.
Sheehan told him the gentlemen then
present were the leaders of the repre-
sentative Democratic organization in the
state of New York, and that they wanted
to come to definite understanding with
him. He could not be elected unless
they supported him, and they would not
take any chances this time.
"Well, what do you gentlemen want ?''
asked Cleveland.
"We want pledges from you" said
Sbeehan. ''We want to know what Won
are going to do If you are elected. We
want you to give us promises that will
satisfy us that our organization will be
properly recognized if you become presi-
dent again"
Cleveland doubled up his huge fist
and smote the table.
Gentlemen" he said, speaking slow
ly and with painful distinctness, 81 will
not go into the White House pledged to
You or anyone else. 1 will make no se-
cret promises. I'll be id if l will"
Again the big fist whacked the table.
What are you going to do, then ?"
inquired Sheehan cynically.
I'm tell you what I'm going to do"
said Cleveland, as he rose to his feet.
II intend to address letter to the pub
lie in which shall withdraw from the
ticket. l will write that letter before
sleep tonight and give it to the Associ-
ated Press. | intend to explain nv
situation and report what you have said
to me here. | will tell the voters OF the
cannot give such pledges, and
unless l do you will not support
the Democratic ticket, which means the
oss of the state of New York and de-
'eat. will tell the voters lido not want
10 stand in the way of Democratic vic.
tory. That's what / shall do, gentle-
men. You can pick out candidate to
luit you, and if he is proper man and
he candidate of the party, l will vote
or him."
There was pause.
"But I'll telllyou another thing, Shee-
ian" continued Cleveland as he turned
% the now breathless lieutenant-gov-
'rnor. I'm my opinion, public indigna-
ion will snow you and your organiza-
ion out OF sight before the end OF the
week."
Croker lesped to his feet. "rhis must
top, Sheehan," he said. 81 agree with
cleveland. He cannot make any pledges
nd 1t is not right to ask for them.''
The dinner party separated.
~ tell you what it is," said the ex-
as he related the story. ''Those
elbows got hold Of Whitney and ratified
im. He's actually ratified. This scared
lim."