Evening star., 1895-06-11
Mr.. WHITNEY'S STATEMENT
The Value That is Placed Upon It by the
Politicians.
1t is Justified by the Democratic Sit
uation In New YOrk-His Entry
Expected Next Year.

Mr.. Whitney's statement Of his attitude
toward the next presidency Is somewhat
similar in tone to that of Gen. Harrison
with regard to his attitude on the same
question, and is accepted In political cir
cles at the same valuation. Mr.. Whitney
Is politician of the first rank, and speaks
like one. His words are appraised at thcir
full worth. He Is, Of course, not a candi-
date for his party's nomination for the
presidency in the sense Of countenancing
the launching of boom for him, or the
opening of headquarters anywhere in his
interest. or the employment of any Of the
usual means of advancing candidate's 9
fortunes. No man is better judge than
he is Of how and when such work should
be done in order to realize the most hand
somely and effectively from 1t. At the
same time Mr.. Whitney Is aware how
prominently his name is figuring in all Of
the presidential calculations, and that
however he may appear to discourage the
talk 1t will continue, and even grow in
volume and persuasiveness. He, no more
than Gen. Harrison. can take himself out
or the minds of those drawn to him by
long observation of his talents and anx-
ious to fall in behind a leader of skill and
experience in next years momentous en-
gagement.
His Dclfvernnce Justified.
In well-informed circles Mr.. Whitney's
deliverance is justified upon two grounds:
% The democratic situation in New York
at present is almost chaotic. The condition
of the party in the city is a problem. There
may or there may not be the basis left for
the re-establishment of the old machine or
something equally effective. Tammany was
all but annihilated last fall. and even its
own sachems. Hugh Grant at their head,
concede that the work Of getting the tiger
on Its feet again will be, If possible at all,
very difficult The present hope of the
Tammanyites is in the failure of the reform
forces now in charge Of affairs. But that
may not occur: Mayor Strong. barring a
rev mistakes is carrying his burden sur
prisingly we'll. Outside Of the city. Senator
Hill is in control, and he is an avowed can
dldate for the presidency. He has his eyes
on Mr.. Whitney and is not likely to lose
any points in the game. Mr. Whitney's
present embarrassments at home, therefore,
are thought to be sufficient to warrant ex-
treme caution in any move he may desire
to make.
Expense of an Admission.
C9 Mr.. Whitney.is not only a rich man,
but connects at every point of the COM
pass with large capital He has a con-
trolling voice in some Of the biggest and
Incst profitable enterprises in the business
world. This sort of influence pays heavy
penalties in politics. He is levied on by
the rank and file, and it must respond.
A year will elarse before the next demo-
CIdllC uOHiildllOH 1OF the presidency IS
made, and then a campaign of five months
before the people will follow. If Mr.. Whit
ney were to offer himself as a candidate
now, while his personal strength and at
tractiveness would draw many people to
him. it is predicted that the f1oaters and
tide-waiters would make life a burden to
him. Every old broken-down party hack
would rush with an offer of his services
and ask for steady employment, and while
such men are, as a rule, frauds upon their
very face, party managers find it necessary
to deal with them automatically. 1t Is not
always wise to ignore them, and yet to
yield to them in any number is to saddle a
candidate with a long pay roll. AS New
York man puts tiff Mr.. Whitney were
even to confess to presidential aspirations
this early in the action it would cost him a
thousand dollars to walk on a busy day
only from his office to his place of resi-
dence. Supporters would swarm upon his
track, and clog his very footsteps.
What Politicians Expect.
And so Mr.. Whitney's deliverance is re-
ceived with this much question by the
politicians. AS they interpret it he is wait
ing for the tangle at home to shake out
and straighten a little, and for the general
situation to become a bit clearer. And
they think the delay shrewd and wise.
But sooner or later, if it turns out to be
worth any democrats while, they expect
to see him actively enter the presidential
race.