The Indianapolis journal., 1895-11-03

to lead very quiet life She fond Of
Washington society and had made bril-
liant name for herself as a charming
hostess and entertainer. As the wife OF
one OF the most important ministers OF
the Cabinet she would have had unusual
social burdens. The fact Of her physical
weakness led the Senator. to peremptorily
decline the portfolio. as IL was urged upon
him TO the very last moment.
1 recall Witnessing the last proffer which
was made 20 him. IL came from Colonel
Robert G.. Ingersoll. who was at that time
very close TO General Garfield. lie came
TO the Senate side of the Capitol at late
night session. met him Just as he was
going to send in to senator Allison. and he
told mo the object OF his visit. waited
for him as the two withdrew into a win
dow enbrasure for moment Of confer
ence Senator Allison was then laboring
under very great excitement His face
was flushed. his eyes were shining almost
with the light of a fever and he fairly
trembled in the earnestneSs OF his quiet
declination-
A moment later Colonel Ingersoll sent In
his card TO Senator Window, OF Minnesota
He made to him. in the name Of General
Garfield, the tender OF the same post MT.
Winsom promptly accepted. Mr.. Allison
retained however. his friendly relations
with General Garfield in spite OF his re-
fusal. as he explained to him why he pre-
ferred to remain in the Senate. Mr.. WIN
dom also owed his selection to his former
membership in the Blaine-Garfeld coterie
in the House Mr.. Allison increased his
popularity in his own State by securing a
representation for Iowa in the Garfield
Cabinet. Mr. Kirkwood. who went to the
head OF the Interior Department, owed his
selection entirely to the recommendation of
Mr.. Allison. In doing this he opposed the
candidacy OF Mr.. Gresham, who afterward
was Mr. Cleveland's Secretary of State. In
so doing he made, almost for the first time
I'm his life. pronounced enemy. 1t is pos
sible that this enmity or the late Mr..
Gresham may have had something to do
with making a warm corner for Mr.. Allison
in the heart OF Mr. Harrison.
ART LOVING AND SOCIAL.
Mr.. Allison has more sides to his char
acter than the average public man. He is
fond OF books, art and travel. He knows
the politics of Europe nearly as well he
does the politics OF his own country. He
was interested with Mr.. Blaine and some
OF his associates in some OF their earlier
speculations in West Virginia coal and rail-
road properties. In this he made a moder-
ate fortune. which has enabled him TO live
greatly at his ease in his handsome house
on Vermont avenue, Washington. 1t is one
OF the few houses in Washington of public
men where you win find good pictures. Mr..
Allison has a very positive and distinctly
refined taste for the beauties of modern art.
Examples of the French and Italian schools
are TO be found upon the walls Of his house.
These selections show good taste and
knowledge.
Mr.. Allison is very social. and is of
the conspicuous figures in Washington soci-
ETY.. He is very dignifed. very kindly and
gentle in his manner. but possessing, /
said before, the God-given sense OF humor.
He never takes himself seriously, and pos
sesses none Of the egotism and vanity which
30 often belong to men In high positions.
The simplicity OF his manner and methods
Is shown by the fact that he Is one OF the
few public men in Washington who have no
conspicuous staff of toadies or hangers on
to run his political errands or to cackle
with admiration over some ordinary phrase
or casual remark.
Mr.. Allison has always been very for
tunate man in politics 1t was a happy
thing for him that he did not go into Gen.
eral Garfields cabinet, as he would have
soon found himself retired to private life by
the assassination The one great misfortune
OF his life was the death of his wife, as this
occurred under peculiarly pitiful circum-
stances. The nervous disorder which
began 10 show itself at the time the Sena-
tor declined the Treasury portfolio at the
hands of Garfield developed soon after into
melancholia- Before the seriousness of this
latter development was appreciated the un-
happy woman took her own life. Since
that time Mr. Allison has remained single,
living with his wifes mother. who has
kept house for him in Washington. He is
a great favorite in diplomatic circles on
account of his knowledge of foreign af-
fairs. He is conspicuous at the dinner
tables Of the most skillful OF Washington's
entertainers. There is Senator who is
invited to as many dinners in a season
is Senator Allison, of Iowa.
Joined thus to his knowledge OF public
affairs he has the full and complete equip
ment of an accomplished man of the world.
He has a thorough knowledge of men; his
Judgment in this regard is excellent. He
would make always successful admins
traitor, and through his wide knowledge of
public affairs and his profound diplomatic
abilities would nearly always find the
methods OF keeping in touch with public
sentiment. He would make at least a
splendid fair weather pilot, and in stormy
times would. If he erred, err surely on the
safe side. He is a man who would be pop
ular in a campaign. but doubt very much
whether his candidacy would awaken much
enthusiasm, on account OF the quiet con-
servatism of his character
T. c. CRAWFORD.