The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-04

as to Offices or appointments, and you
are quite aware that you have not
been asked to perform any contracts Of
| this nature 80 far as I know.
Mr. Van Allen is gentleman, and
gave what be contributed to the cam
! paign freely and from an interest in the
success of the party. He had previously
identified himself warmly with the
party in Rhode Island; his candidacy
has the support Of nearly every promi-
nent party man in his State. have
been called upon by these men to see
that his warm support OF our party
should not initiate against his candida
cy.
I therefore break the silence which l
have heretofore maintained since the
inauguration to say that I know Mr..
Van Allen well, and that he is, in my
judgment, in every way adapted to the
position which be seeks, and that I
sincerely hope that the malicious stories
which have found their way intoprint
will not affect him adversely.
There is no obligation upon you to
appoint him to any office; but there is
the additional reason for appointing
him that, as the result Of a very patriot
ic, generous, and cordial support of the
party in the last campaign, when
friends were few and calls were great,
he has been accused of dishonorable
bargaining.
''This, as you know, is the first time
you have been approached by me on
the subject of appointments. Very
sincerely yours, w. G. WHITNEY.
To the Hon. GRovER CLEVELAND,
Washington, D. C.
The interview referred to in the letter
was as follows:
The Hon. William G. Whitney was
asked at his home, 2 West Fifty-sev-
enth street, last evening by Sun re-
porter about dispatch which quoted
the gossip of Washington to the effect
that while in charge of the Democratic
campaign last fall ne promised the
place of Minister to Rome to Mr.. J. j.
Van Allen of New York in return for
campaign contributions made by Mr..
Van Allen, amounting to $5o,0oO. The
dispatch further said that Mr.. Van
Aliens, first contribution was $50, 900,
and that later, upon being encouraged
to believe that his ambition to be sent
to Rome would be srati6ed, he <in-
creased his campaign contribution by
! $4,000, and then had no doubt what
ever that his name would be one of the
first diplomatic nominations to be sent
to the Senate. The despatch went on
to say that the weeks went by without
any indication that MI. Yam Allen was
| to realize upon his campaign invest
ment, apd then came the reports of
the falling out between the President
and Dir: Whitney, followed by the al
LEGGED statement of Mr.. Cleveland that
he shas learned to distrust Mr.Whit-
ney and his tricks"
Mr.. Whitney read the despatch care
fully, and, as he returned it to the re-
porter, said, with more than usual
emphasis:
Nonsense Nonsense :"
Mr.. Whitney, usually speaks in
rather softly modulated tones. He is
not an excitable citizen. But this time
he spoke in emphatic tones. He con-
tinued: .....
"Mr. Wan Allen contributed to the
campaign fund, but, of course, I am
not at liberty to state the amount any
more than I.would be at liberty to tell
what other gentlemen gave. I can say,
though, that Mr.. Van Allen did not
contribute either of the amounts named
in the despatch. At the time he con-
tributed there was no conversation
/ whatever between Mr.. Van Allen and
myself to the effect that he was to have
| the place of Minister to Rome or any
other Office. Do you suppose that any
gentleman would: contribute with the
idea that he was to have a place in re-
turn? The subject was never mentioned
by Mr.sVan Allen or myself. will 60
further and make it as strong as posi-
bic when 1 say that 1 made no con-
tracts for Office, express or implied,
during the campaign either in Mr..
Cleveland's name or anybody else's
name made no contracts with any
body. Can I make it palmer than that?
I said during the campaign to all:
"Gentlemen, when this is over I am
through"
II have not called upon Mr.. Cleve-
land to fulfill any campaign contract,
for the simple reason that none was
made by me. I have not asked him to
appoint man to office, simply because
I had said that when the campaign
was over I was through. I say again
that ! made no contracts either with
Mr.. Van Allen or anybody else. There
were no promises made even by in
ference.
"Concerning the alleged remark OF
Mr.. Cleveland, that he had learned to
distrust Mr.. Whitney and his tricks
I can only say that T do not believe
that Mr.. Cleveland ever made that
remark"
"Mr. Whitney," said the reporter,
''there has been another version Of Mr..
Van Aliens contribution heard here in
New York. It is to the effect that Mr..
Van Allen firmly believed that he was
to get the place of Minister to Rome in
consideration Of his campaign contri-
buttons, and that when he found that
he was not to have the place, a num-
| Der of Democrats put their hands in