Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-06-22
HOW CLEVELAND DIDN'T SCARE.
The Inside Story of the Victoria
Hotel Dinner.

brought the Answer.
| New York Herald, juno l3h.
MIR. Cleveland's own story Of the famous
little dinner party At the Victoria Hotel at
| which MIR. Shcehan's nose was tweaked, so
| to speak. is quite interesting.
| This is the way it is repeated by an init
mate friend of the President and is the
| first time 1t has been made public i'll its
details.
Mr.. Whitney had urged upon Mr.. Cleve-
land the Importance OF meeting the surly
leaders of the Democratic organization
with view to harmony. The then ex.
President was unwilling at first. lie in.
sisted that the fight at Chicago had settled
the question of personalities and that
there was no more reason why he should
go to New York and make overtures to
Mr.. Hills friends than that he should go
to the followers Of any defeated candidate
in any other state. If they were Demo
Gratis il was their business to support the
ticket.
Finally however, Mr.. Whitnev's argu-
nents prevailed and Mr.. Cleveland started
from Buz2ard's Bay to meet the sullen
leaders. When Mr. Cleveland met MIR.
Whitney PRIOR to the dinner lie looked at
hitn with curious smile.
READY 70 HEAR rHE RIOT ACT.
"Well, Whitney have you got your diu-
ner ready
Y =
who will be there tonight ?"
Murphy. Shrehan. Croker" and MIR.
Whitney named the invited guests.
There Was moment OF silence and then
Mr.. Whitney laughed.
saw Sheehan at the Hoffman House
to-day, he said, 'aEd he says he intends
to read The riot act to YOU tonight.
= have heard that he intends to do
something of that sort, said Mr. Cleye-
land quietly, and | have come to New
YORK 81 that he may have good oppor.
tunty"
When the dinner was ended that night
Mr. Shcehhu turned to MIR. Cleveland and
Sald there was Il matter Of business to be
discussed Mr.. Cleveland expressed his
Willingness to hear anything that might
be SAID Mr.. Sherhan told him that the
gentlemen thea present were the leaders
and representatives Of the Democratic or.
Eanizatlon in the state Of New York and
that they wanted Ia come to a definite
understanding with him lie could not be
elected unless they supported him and
they did not intend to take any chances
this time.
ME. sHEEHAx's DEMAND.
We'll what do YOU gentlemen want ~
asked MIR. Cleveland
we want pledges from Won, said Mr..
shcehaH We want to know what Won
are going TO do # you are elected We
'
'atlsty us that the organization will be
properly recognized if YOU become rresi-
dent again.
MIR, Cleveland doubled up his huge fist
anu snlote the table
'iGcntlcmcn he sail. speaking slowly
AMI with almost painful distinctncss. II
NIL not 90 into the White House pledged
10 you or to any Que else | will make no
secret promises III he damned il will,r
AGtln the big fist whauked the table
nat are Won going 10 do then ?" i'll.
IuIrcd Mr. Shcchan rgnically.
MI, CLENELANp's DEFIANCE.
III tell you what I'm going to 10, said
Mr. Cleveland rs he rose 10 In: feet III in
tcnd u address 4 letter TO the public in
which | shall Withdraw from the ticket.
| Will write that letter before ! sleep 10.
nigll ana give II 10 the Associated Press.
J intend 20 explain my situation and to re-
itOrt what Won have said to me mere. will
lril the voters Of the country that cannot
give amy secret pledges, and that unless
d@ you VIII not support the Democratic
ticket which means the loss of the state
Ut New York and defeat Will tell the
VOTERS That do not want to stand in the
Way 81 4 Democratic victory That is what
shall 10. Then, gentlemen, you can pick
gu, candidate to suit you. aud il he is "A
proper man and the candidate OF the party
VIII vote for him
IlINIt Wa Il pause,
'lsut III tell you one thing. Mr.. Shee-
han said Mr. Cleveland as he turned to
NE now brcathless Lieutenant governor
IN my opinion public Indignation will
SNOW YOU hnd your organization out OF
sight before the eud Of q week.
Mr., truker leaped to his feet.
Tins must stop, Mr. Shcchan. y he said
u agree with Mr. Cleveland He cannot
make any pledges and 1t is not right to
ask for tncm.
- The dinner party separated
tel you what 1t isl said the OK
President, rs he related the story, those
fellows got mold Of Mr. Whitney and rat
tiei hlm, He was actually rattod. They
scared him.
Is HERE ANOTHER FIGHT IN SIGHT?
gentleman vino saw the President n
lew weeks ago saws Mr.. Cleveland nov
tllnka It MAS Il great mistake not to have
allowed the anu tammuny Democrats to
nominate al Independent local Ticket He
Is Guhlldeht that such ticket would have
been victorious and would have RESULT ed
~ political condition ia the state less
embarrassing than that which nov con.
ifGuls him.
an satisfied said NV informant.
that The next local election will reSar In
republican success And II seem, to mo
about the best thing that can happan
IS That MIR. tl"Vrlald s idea, iGu?N
= wont say that, In iacI, don't know. -