The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1895-11-30

tions With President Cleve,and-Has, No
Political Ambition.
William c.. Whitney is not a candi-
date for the presidency Eie tells all
his friends, and tells tlrem sincerely,
that if he could win both the nomina-
ton and election by u simple turning
Of his hand he would still put ambition
behind him. He means it too. What
he would do in the event of Democracy
calling him to the front is another
thing. Mr.. Whitney does not want the
nomination, but at the same time it is
safe to predict that he will not decline
it if it be offered him. So far as l know
no man ever did refuse a presidential
nomination by one Of the great political
parties.
1t is an odd thing that this maj
who is in so many minds the most avail
able Democrat for 1896 is himself Who'll
" without ambition. There is no hum-
buggery about Mr.. Whitney's declara-
ton that he is not a candidate. BE is
not waiting to be coaxed. He is not
playing the coy maiden game which
General Harrison is suspected Of anus
ing himself with.
Wherever one goes, III Washington,
New York, Boston, Whitney's name is
talked Of in connection with the presi-
dency. I have heard it from the lips OF
cabinet ministers and important govern
ment officials at Washington. The pol
iticians and business men of New York
echo it. Only a day or two ago, across
the bay at Sorrento, l was surprised to
hear Chief Justice Fuller say that If
Mr.. Cleveland is not to stand for a third
term-and he had nc idea Mr.. Cleve-
land would permit any such thing
Whitney was by long odds the most
available man in sight. This is what
the chief justice said, and if any one
imagines Melville Weston Fuller is not
a good politician Or judge OF political
conditions he should undeceive himself.
William G. Whitney is one Of the
most interesting men in this country.
Many people do not understand him.
They cannot conceive Of a man with a
gift, for politics and public service with
out desire to hold Office. 1t is not too
much to say that MI. Whitney has this
gift. He today, without much question,
is the ablest politician before the public
eye. His ability as an administrative
official was abundantly shown while he
was secretary Of the navy. In 1892 he
showed what he could do as a conven-
ton and campaign manager. Cleveland
had great difficulty in inducing Mr..
NJLsA,,o~r %N &o1xn n SCOT in h1a cabinet
during the first term He declined at
first and accepted but two or three
DAYS before the Inauguration at MIR.
Cleveland's urgent appeal. He accepted
then more to please his wife than him
self.
Two years ago, after Mr.. Whitney
had managed the campaign for Mr..
Cleveland's nomination and election
with such signal success, most people
thought he would be rewarded with {
seat in the cabinet. Probably not more
than half a dozen men knew that Mr.
Whitney would take no Office. Every on
else supposed a man who had worked a
Mr.. Whitney had worked, who had givel
80 magniticently Of his strength ar
money, was after something. but h
wasn't. Tho victory gained. that wa
all he wanted. Mr.. Cleveland wrot
Whitney such a letter Of thanks as fey
men in this world have received. Late
on he begged Whttuey to make n!
choice of cabinet places or OF all othe
places within Il presidents gift. Wh:'
ney wished only TO be let alone:
So many tales have been told concern
ing an alleged quarrel between Pres
dent Cleveland and Mr.. Whitney that
is we'll to give the truth. This Al
able to do authoritative,y, There neys
was any quarrel or rupture. Their rel;
lions have always been and still are co.
dial. 1t ia not true that M. Clevelau
and Mr.. Whitney have had no person;
meeting since tho inauguration. The
have met a number Of times and a
likely to meet again III a few weeks.
1t is true that in distribution OF of
cial patronage III New York state II
president was loss Conci.iatory TO Il
3 l-Tammany people team Mr.. Viii
nc thought he ought to BE-, conside
i. all the circumstances, But it VI
O. ? q difference Of opiAion. and N
Y. itney cared SO little about it that
[ lie no effort to interfere.
a the history Of American politi
badly there eve WAS a finer exa1
of managerial skill tran that whi'
Whitney gave Us in ths canpai,
1899. Nothing but genius Of . hi,
or could have taken hold OF the d
tented element, ia New York a
.ught out victory
am able to say on Authority that