Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-11-06
THE CRANK CROP.
Pres. CieveIand's Narrow Es-
cape Last Summer.
Victims Of Democratic Policy---Sec.
Gresham's Sensible Views.
Extra Precautions Fsias Iaksn 10 Pretec. The
People at the white Hssss.

wAsHIsGroS. Nov. 5.-(Speciai. y
Since the assassination of Mayor Harrison
az Chicago precautions against cranks have
been redoubie,l at the White House II is
well understood here that every time a
srank kills prominent man. or attempts
20 do 80, and the particulars find their way
into the newspapers, a large and miseel-
iaHeous crcp OF craBks is stirred up to the
surface OF society. The additional precau-
tions taken at the White House were not
suggested by the president, and nothing
was said 10 him about them. The preear-
tions consist not Of the Employment of new
guards or watchmen, but OF double vigi-
lance on the part of those already on duty.
After any outbreak like that Of the miserai
bic Prendergast in Chicago a number Of
irresponsible and half crazy persons are
seen wandering about the White House
from time to time Which one of them is
likely to DO harm il given an opportunity
no one knows, and the only safe rule is to
suspect every unknown stranger who acts
in a peculiar manner.
IL is easy for any one TO get within the
White House itself, but unless a man is
known he cannot get anywhere near the
person of the president. He must run the
gantlet of doorkeepers, guards at the foot
of the stairs and again at the top of the
stairs near the entrance Of the presidents
workrsom The handling Of eranks has
become a science at the executive mansion.
Foreigners Are Amazed.
Strangers from other countriesar are amazed
at the freedom with which our public men
go to and fro and receive persons who are
unknown to them. Most of our presidents
have been in the habit OF taking walks in
the White House grounds or the adjacent
streets absolutely unprotected and some
times alone. Such a thing is not known
among the royalty of Europe. Europeans
who visit Washington can scarcely believe
their eyes and ears when a president is
pointed out to them strolling along the
streets unaccompanied by guards or outrid-
ers.
Possibly we have too much liberty of that
sort in this country, for the Capital City
has been the scene of two dreadful assas-
sinations, and now the mayor Of Chicago
falls victim to his own democratic pol
icy President Cleveland Is not in the
habit of taking walks in the White House
grounds or Oh the streets, but he drives to
and from his country residence in a com
mon open vehicle, sometimes alone and
sometimes accompanied only by his coach
man, as any other citizen does.
Mr.. CIeveland's Narrow Escape.
1t is not generally known that the presi-
dent had narrow escape from assassina-
tion last summer during the campaign.
While Mr. Cleveland was living at 12
West Ffty-f first street, New York, he re-
ceved letter from young German ask
ing Mr.. Cleveland TO obtain for him stu
alton as professional nurse. Mr.. Cieve-
lands private secretary replied that he did
not have any need for such services and
could do nothing for the applicant. This
preyed upon the mind Of the young Ger
man, who was already i'll an irresponsible
condition mentally. He evidently worked
himself into n frenzy of resentment on ac-
count of Mr. Cleveiand's failure to help
him, for one evening he presented himself
at Mr. Clevelnnd's door.
On some pretext or other he was admit
ted by the servant, and Mr.. Cleveland, who
had Just finished his dinner with DIR. Bry
ant, came forward to greet his caller. The
Young German drew revolver, leyeled 1t
at the then ex-president and pulled the trig-
ger As luck would have it, the weapon
failed to discharge, and Mr.. Cleveland,
giving low cry, rushed forward and hrew
his arms about his assailant and held him
until Dir Bryant and the servants came To
his assistance. The policeman on the beat
was called in, Superintendent Hyrnes was
telephoued for and it was agreed that the
incident should be kept a secret for fear of
stirring up other cranks. Superintendent
Byrnes took the young man to his house
and kept him there over night,
Next day DR.. Bryant and another ply
sician examined the unfortunate young
man aud declared him insane. They went
before the proper authorities and obtained
a writ, and within "a hours after his at
npt upon the ex-president's life he was
hustled off to BIoomingdale asylum, where
he still remains These efforts to keep the
matter quiet were wholly successful the
incident never finding its way into the
newspapers Your correspondent was in
formed Of the particulars of the case by
member of congress, to whom they were re-
lated by the physician who was called in
by DR. Bryant to examine the miscreant
and assist in committing him to the asy-
lum.
Secretary Greshsm's View.
Secretary Gresham was very much agi-
tated when he first heard the news of the
assassination Of Mayor Harrison. His first
Thought ana rear WAS biiftt tlf Httt
been committed by an anarchist, and that
Chicago was again face to face with trouble
caused by the violence of enemies Of the ex
isting order Of things. The secretary was
much relieved when he discovered the muir
derer was mere crank, having DO connec-
ton with any organization or society. Sec
retary Gresham takes wholesome view of
these irresponsible, demented individuals,
,..Ia ,r1 all the lives Gfp pffi-
cials or citizens.
Speaking of the fact that Prendergast
bad publicly threatened to kill Mayor
Harrison. Secretary Gresham commented:
When the man uttered those threats, he
,hould have been Immediately locked up.
No man has any right to threaten the life
VI another 1t does not matter under what
circumstances he utters his threats, wheth
er drunk or sober, sane or insane, calm or
excited, anxry or normal The mere fact
that he utters a threat against tine life Of
another Is sufficient pruvocation for his in
staut arrest and incarceration
The man who threatens to kill another
is either n criminal or an insane person, and
he should he treated as one or the other
He should he sent either TO jail or 10 an
asylum. At the very least he should be
taken in charge By the authorities and
dealt VITA according to his condition or
deserts. II he proves to be mere drunken
boaster, hr should be taught a lesson for
his otTeuse against law and order. If found
to be mentally irresponsible, he should be
confined. If sane, but Of a murderous ten
dency on account OF some real or imaginary
grievance. he should be sent to prison. We
are aitoget hpr TOO prone in this country 10
merely lau.,h at a man who threatens to
take the lif,. Of another and to pass it off as
"A Joke. II Prendergast had been arrested
the moment he uttered his threats against
Mayor Harrison, that splendid gentleman
would be alive today"
Actor Curtis On His WY East.