The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-03-10
H0KN SMITHS RIVAL HAPPY.
His Own Account OF an Interview with MT
Cleveland Mt Lakewood.

Ists own Account OF an Interview with MI.
Cleveland Mt Lakewood.
WASHINGTON. March0.-one Of the most lone
~ figures to be found %straying around the
METROPOLITAN Hotel. the great resort Of the
Georgia contingent. Is n wiry, sharp-eyed
little fellow named benjamin NJ. Blackburn.
since the appointment OF Hoks Smith to tho
secretsryship OF tho Interior Blackburn has
been In q state Of nervous collapse. The story
which leads up to his disconsolate condition
Ia one which illustrates anew the proyerb not
to put faith In princes.
When the late Presidential canvass opened
there was u paper started In Atlanta under the
namo Of the Ecen,n5 Herald. with Blackburn
as lis editor. The Constitution was fighting
Tor the nomination OF David b Hill. while the
Journal, OF which Hoke Smith was editor. was
PLAYING around for a Western mar with whom
TO beat the CONSTITUTIONS candidate. Just
while this byrlhy was In progress Joe Jefrer-
son took Mr.. Cleveland down TO Louisiana on
n duck-huntinG expedition. Mr.. Cleveland
passed through Atlanta unolservcd. save by
the Constitution. On his return. however. there
was y scramble between the evening
papers rs to vino should make the
most out 1.-THE traveller. Hoko Smith hired
a cannon to greet the arrival OF Mr.. Cleveland.
Blackburn stole n march on him. however. by
gong out to East Point and riding into the city
with his dexter arm twincd around Mr. Cleve-
lands corpulcnt form. and boNiug 10 the
crowds as though the demonstration was In
tended for himself. That evening he emphu.
sized his possession Of Mr.. Cleveland by cali
. ing q public meeting for tho purpose OF In
augurating tho Cleveland Presidential boom
In Georgia 1t was then that he camo to DO
known as the original Cleveland man in Geor-
Cia- In the course Of several days thereafter
hoke Smith dtoppcd his Western idcn
anu cano out for MIR. Blackburn's friend
Cleveland. The wal which was waged from
that timc On between Hoke and len for the
honor OF Icing tho great original Cleveland
man was interesting and curious. Finally tho
day came when Mr.. Cleveland was not only
nominated. but elected.
by George" Blackburn would say. my
friend Cleveland will no. 10 SO far misled rs to
take Hoke into his Cabinet. Why. | am tho
man to whom all the credit Is due for carr, ing
Georgia for, Cleveland" and he woull walk
s Ns WIN The air of u man who knew what he
When the news came that Hoke Ind indeed
lande! himself into the Cabinet. BLACKBURN
Il do not SEQ what Grover can mean" he
would remark coni!Isntially to bis frIends: i
nave tGid him ,hst Hoke smith hsd no hold
and puts him into his Cabinet"
1t was while emarting with n sense OF inius-
went to LAKE wood to have an understanding
about. all these matters. Tonight. while
standing mt the doorway OF the Metropolitan
breakfast room. Blackburn told an admiring
group oi Georgians how Grover received him.
.Mhen | entered the house" said he. "Mr;
CLEVELAND. who WAS reading. looked up. and
seeing me. srranC to his feet, sayinE:'
blackburn. I'm devil! sh glad to see you. I
would mover have forgiven you had you failed
to call on me here in Lakewood
.Then placing his arm around my neck. we
sMfrifcHIa ey 10 o q sGI sa IL one sido Of the ROOM and
odd fellow. don't you worry. I'll take care
oi.you. Damned il you don't deserve it,
was so moved with Mr.. Cleveland's cor
dlaitty that. placing my hand uron his knee
ana looking him SQUARE in the eye. | said:
that will ask OF you
What is that z he asked.
l told him that when | went homo / wanted
to say that l had seen BABY Ruth. Let me
see the God blessed little thing ! said.
IIi be damned II | don't. Hello Hellc!
Nurse. bring Baby Ruth Town here at once
"'Shall dress her first 2 imputed the nurse
from up stairs.
No answered Mr.. Cleveland. it ia my old
friend Blackburn who wants to see her. Bring
her down Just as she is. It's all in the family
shoulder with q knowing wink. soon the child
was down. and | held her on my knee ana
danced her UP Just as | have done my own.
God bless you. Ruth | said. II You ever
need a strong arm lust call on me- and as |
looked up l saw q great tear dripping from the
fathers eye.
Come and see mo again whom in the White
House. said he. odd fellow. ] feel pl oud Of
having such n true heart as yours"
Blackburn. is now iully repaid. in feeling
that evon IL Hoke Smith is in the Cabinet he
himself is the family friend Of the President.