The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-06-17
Is THIs cLEvELANp,s vERsIoN ?
A New and Enlarged Account of the
Victoria Hotel Dinner Damn.
From the New York Herald

Victoria dOIel Dinner DAMN
From the New York Herald.
Mr.. Cleveland own story of the famous
little dinner party at the Victoria hotel,
at which Mr., Sheehan's nose was
tweaked, so to speak, is quite interesting.
This is the way it is repeated by an in
innate friend of the President, and it is
the first time it has been made public in
its details.
Mr.. Whitney had urged upon Mr.. Cleve-
land the importance of meeting the surly
leaders of the democratic organization
with a view to harmony The then ex-
President was unwilling at first. He in
sisted that the fight at Chicago had set
tied the question of personalities, and Mat
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 it was their business TO support the
ticket
Finally, however, Mr. Whitney's ar
guments prevailed, and MIR. Cleveland
started from Buzzard's Bay to meet the
sullen leaders. When Mr.. Cleveland met
Mr. Whitney prior to the dinner he looked
at him with curious smile.
READY TO HEAR THE RIOT ACT.
"Well, Whitney, have you got your din
ner ready"
Yes; everything is ready"
"Who will be there to-night2p
murphy, Sheehan, Croker" and MIR.
Whitney named the invited guests.
There was moment of silence and
then Mr.. Whitney laughed.
81 saw Sheehan at the Hoffman house
to-day" he said, land he says he intends
to read the riot act to you tonight"
II have heard that he intends to do
something of that sort.n said MIR CleYe-
land quietly, "and have come TO New
York so that he may have good opp0p-
tunity,n ~
When the dinner was ended that night
Mr.. Sheehan turned to Mr. Cleveland and
said there was matter of business to be
discussed, MIR. Cleveland expressed his
willingness to hear anything that might
be said. Mr.. Sheehan told him that the
gentlemen then present were the leaders
and representatives of the democratic or
ganization in the state of New York, and
that they wanted to come to definite I'M
Outstanding with him. He could not be
elected unless they supported him and
they did not intend to take any chances
this time.
MR.. sHEEHAN's DEMAND.
"Well, what do you gentlemen want9"
asked Mr.. Cleveland.
1--WE want pledges from you," said Mr..
Sheehan. eve want TO know what YOU
are going to do if you are elected We
want you to give ms promises that win
satisfy us that the organization will be
/ properly recognized If YOU become Presi-
| dent again"
Mr.. Cleveland doubled up his huge fist
and smote the table.
! "Gentlemen,n he said, speaking slowly
and with almost painful distinctness, II
! will not go into the white house pledged
to you or to any one else. will make no
secret promises. III be damned If 1
will"
Again the big fist whacked the table.
What are you going to do, then!" in
! quired Mr.. Sheehan, cynically.
MIR. CLEvELAND's DEFIANCE.
"Ill tell you what I'm going to do, -
said Mr.. Cleveland as he rose to his feet
II intend to address a letter to the public,
in which shall withdraw from the ticket
| | Will write that letter before | sleep to-
night, and give it to the Associated Press.
intend to explain my situation and re-
port what you have said to me here. I
will tell the voters of the country that |
! cannot give any secret pledges, and that
unless do you will not support the demo-
cratic ticket, which means the loss of the
state of New York and defeat, | will tell
| the voters that | do not want to stand in
the way of ademocratic victory. That's
! what | shall do. Then, gentlemen, YOU
can pick out candidate to suit YOU, and
if he is the proper man and the candidate
of the party ! will vote for him"
There was q pause.
But III tell you one thing, MIR. Shee-
han, -" said Mr.. Cleveland. as he turned to
the now breathless lieutenant governor.
I'm my opinion public indignation will
snow you and your organization out of
sight before the end of week"
Mr.. Croker leaped to his feet,
This must STOP MIR. Sheehan,'r he
said II agree with Mr.. Cleveland He
can not make any pledges and it is not
right to ask for them"
So the dinner party separated
II tell You what it isl said the ex-
President, as he related the story, those
fellows got hold of Whitney and ratified
him. He was actually ratified. They
scared him"
is THERE ANOTHER FIGHT IN SIGHT,
A gentleman who saw the President
few days ago. says Mr. Cleveland now
thinks it was a great mistake not to have
| allowed the anti-Tammauy democrats to
nominate an independent local ticket. He
is confident that such a ticket would have
been victorious and would have resulted
in political condition in the state less
embarrassing than that which now con
fronts him.
II am satisfied said my informant.
that the next local election will result
in republican success. And in seems to
me about the best thing that can hap
pen"
''Is that Mr.. Cleveland's idea, toofa,
Il won't say that. In fact, don't