The morning call., 1893-06-14
USED A BIG OATH.
Tamn1any Tried to Make
a DiCker.
GAVE CLEVELAND TERMS.
Whereat the Candidate Profaneiy
Made Bluff the Chieftains
Could Not Cali.
AVE CLEVELAND TERMS.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

NEW YORK, June 13-The Herald
prints the following: Cleveland's own
story of the famous little dinner party at
the Victoria Hotel. at which Sheehan's
nose was tweaked, so to speak, is quite
interesting. This is the way it is repeated
by intimate friends Of the President and
it is the FIRST time it has been made public
in all It's details: Whitney had urged upon
Cleveland the Importance of meeting the
surlv leaders of the Democratic organiz iza-
tion with a view TO harmony. The then
ex-President was unwilling to do this ut
first, insisting that the Chicago convention
had settled the question of personalities,
Finally, however. he came on from Buz-
yards Bay and the Tammany leaders,
Murphy, Sheehan and Croker. were pres
ent al the dinner.
When the dinner was ended Sheehan
turned to Cleveland and said there was a
matter of business to be discussed. Cleve-
land expressed his willingness to hear
anything that might be said and Sheehan
told him that the gentlemen then present
we're the leaders and representatives of the
Democratic organization in the State OF
New ork and that they wanted to come
20 a def1ite understanding with him. He
could not be elected unless they supported
him ana they did not intend to take any
chances this time.
We'll, what do You gentleman want?"
asked Cleveland.
I'VE want pledges from you," said Shee-
han. I'VE want to know what you 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 rec
ognized If you become President again"
Cleveland doubled up his huge fist and
smote the table. Gentlemen" said he,
speaking slowly and with almost painful
diStincness, "Pll not 60 into the White
House pledged to You or to any one else
l Will make no secret promises. I'll be
- if l will!' And again the big isl
whacked the table.
What are you going to do, thenP" In
quired Sheehan. cynieally.
III tell you what Pm going to do,' said
Cleveland, as he rose to his feet. "Iintend
to address letter to the public in which
shall withdraw from the ticket. l will
write that letter before | sleep tonight
and give it to the Associated Press. | in
tend to explain my situation and repor!
What you have said to me here | will tell
the voters of the country that | cannot
give any secret pledges. and unless l dc
you will not support the Democratic
ticket, which means the loss of the State
OF New York and defeat. l will tell
the voters l do not want to stand In the
way Of Democratic victory. ThaPs wha!
L shall do. gentlemen. You can pick
out candidate to suit you. and if he is a
proper man and the candidate of the party
7 Will vota for him -
There was a pause then. But I'll tell
fSuu one thing. Sheehan," Cleveland went
s,hn, as he turned to the now breathless
lieutenant "In my opinion,
public Indignation will snow you and your
organization out of sight before the end of
the week"
Croker leaped to his feet. This must
stop. Sheehan." he said. II agree with
Cleveland. He cannot make any pledges
and it is not right to ask for them"
The dinner party then separated.
II tell you what it is," said the ex-
President. as he related the story. "ihose
fellows got hold OF Whitney and rattled
him. He was actually ratified. They scared
him"