The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-12-30

matte. Mr.. Dickinson is bundle of nerves.
He moves, talks, thinks, decides, acts with
great rapidity. His nervous forces are un-
der high pressure all the time. Extremes
+ certainly have met in this rare and close
friendship.
Political Adviser.
1t is an open secret in the higher political
circles here that Mr.. Dickinson enjoys the
rare distinction OF being a man who refused
to take the secretaryship of state when it
was urged upon him by a president elect
for whom he entertained the warmest feel
! lngs OF friendship and admiration. Dick
inson fairly worships Mr.. Cleveland He
thinks the president the greatest man that
was ever born III this western hemisphere.
The president has almost as high an opin-
ion of his friend from Michigan. After the
campaign Of last year was over, and Mr..
4 Cleveland had begun to look around him
for cabinet he asked Don Dickinson to
become one of his official advisers. He of
fered him his choice of the places and final
ly urged him to accept the state portfolio.
But Mr.. Dickinson had had his fill of Off
cial honors. He declined again and again
! To take any Office under this administra-
! tion. He refused to be moved from his pur-
! pose, saying that he had spent the savings
of a number of years of hard work at his
: profession for the honor Of being postmaster
general under the former Cleveland admin
istration, and that his present duty was to
return to his profession and make some
money for his family But while he could
not accept office himself, he did the next
best thing by helping Mr.. Cleveland form
the cabinet. The manner in which the
present cabinet was made up was due more
to the influence of Mr.. Dickinson than to
that of any other single man, the president
alone excepted.
1t was Mr.. Dickinson who engineered
what was one of the greatest surprises the
political world has known for long time
the selection of Mr.. Gresham to be secre-
tary of state. Mr.. Dickinson was from the
very first in favor of this somewhat radical
departure. He argued that the time had
come when the Democratic party could af-
ford 10 go outside the lines of strict party
service and by recognizing men who haI
been in sympathy with the party, but not
members Of 1t, attract still Others to follow
their example. In other words, Mr.. Dickin-
son believed the party could with profit
reach out for the ablest and most dstin-
guished men who had become dissatisfied
with the rival party and bring them into
the fold. Though Mr.. Cleveland was him
self the originator of the Gresham idea. Mr..
Dickinson encouraged him in it and went
10 Chicago TO urge the judge to accept the
office.
Ee Confounde1 His Enemies.
During last year S campaign Dickinson
was very important man at the national
Democratic headquarters. Such energy
he evinced, such display of generalship
-, I>,-
equaled in the history of campaigning
Jeaousies arose among the men, who
thought Mr.. Dickinson was swinging too
wide a swath. who did not like the influence
which he had over the candidate. and who
were free TO predict that the Michigan man
was simply working to get back into the
cabinet in case of Mr.. Cleveland's re-elec-
tion. But Dickinson paid no heed TO these
jealousies, and even when ugly remarks
were made about him by men associated
with him on the committee, and malicious
tales were put in circulation, he kept his
temper, went on with his work and bided
his time. 1t must have been source of
great satisfaction to him to be able to re
fuse the highest Office within Mr.. Cleve-
lands gift, and thus to confound his enc
mics. And it must be source of still
greater satisfaction TO him now to be able
TO come down to Washington. virtually
take up his residence at the White House
for several days at a time TO be Mr.. Cleve-
lands companion and confidant, TO enjoy
the honor and influence of being the power
behind the throne without any of the cares
and annoyances of official life.
The Presidents Health.
There is a great deal OF gossip in Wash
i,f RI IL Of
land. Every once in awhile stories are set
In circulation that the president has had an
attack ot cancer or of some other virulent
disease. These stories contain but very lit
tie OF truth. Usually they are manufac-
tured largely out OF the imagination. or are
suggested by state of facts for which the
newspaper writers are unable quickly To
find any other explanation. Your CORE
spondent is able to state on satisfactory au-
tbority that Nj. Cleveland's bodily health
is all right. he is in good condition. But
it is at the same time true that he is show
ing signs of the mental wear and tear 10
which he has been subjected during the last
10 years There are unwelcome evidences
that the presidents nervous forces hav
been more or less undermined by the strains
60 which he has been subjected during his
short but tense career.
Probably few people in the world realize
what it is TO be public man Of the high
est rank, especially 10 Be president OF tbs
United States, 20 take on the great cares
and responsibilities of that Office, TO dissi
pate ones reserve strength i2y after day
in struggle with the office seekers. with
the questions of the day and with host OF
details of which no way has been devised
fo,-y rolf chi
work of receiving official and other callers
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