The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-05-28

A hapter of the Unwritten Political
History of -

Olney Newell. in New York sun.
Every national campaign has its secrets.
In 1884 the Republican party, after many
years OF Uninterrupted control OF the gov
eminent, met with defeat at the ballot box.
The nomination of Grover Cleveland had
not aroused enthusiasm among the rank
and file OF the Democratic party. There
was a feeling that he was more OF a mug
wump than Democrat. and that his nominal
prominent Democrats who were not in
sympathy with the voters. Nevertheless,
cation, swallowed their disappointment and
performed their duty.
They could not have been induced to
do this, however, had not that great man
and matchless Democrat, Thomas n. Hend-
bricks. been the candidate for Vice Presi-
dent. His nomination was not made be-
cause he was the choice OF the men who
manipulated the convention, but for the
reason that, having secured for first place
the man they wanted. they realized the
the votes to elect him. These tactics We're
repeated four years later. when Allen q.
Thurman was nominated with Cleveland for
But to return to 1884. AS the campaign
progressed, Mr.. Hendricks saw clearly that
sneSssS what Mas the Ss people ao @e Of his sSs own state
would do, but he was not satisfied with
the conditions that existed i'm the State
the first place.. Cleveland did not know his
own weakness. He did not appreciate the
fact that the united support OF Tammany
Hall was necessary to his election. He did
not know that 1t despised him and was
hesitating as to its course. Mr.. Hendricks,
a thousand miles away, was politician
and he decided upon a visit to that state.
He called on John Kelly, whose word, at
that time. was law in Tammany Hall. He
found the chief greatly disgruntled. He
found that his surmises were correct and
that unless a change could be brought
the ticket and the State would be lost.
Mr.. Kelly was obdurate. He asserted that
Grover Cleveland was not a Democrat,
that he had no claim upon true Demo-
Gratis for their support, and that IL he
should be elected he would betray has
party. -. ,,o ,,u,.
Mr.. Hendricks employed all the persuasive
eloquence of which he was master to in
p port Of Tammsn Hall to the ticket. and
finally Mr.. Kelly said: Gov. Hendricks.
for your sake. we will do it, You may go
Hall will do it's duty" The interview
ended. and New York was saved.
Mt The neD %TitsF e eSer r r9s sd0w the wn asose
facts TO another, but they were received
from his own lips by the writer of this
ton of Cleveland. Mr.. Cleveland probably
never heard of the journey OF MIR. Hen
bricks to the home Of John Kelly. he hs,
carried New York in 1884 on the strength
OF his own popularity and greatness, al
though an Incident occurred on ~ ona d;s,lrh
LlOh odl tiok No~
his complacent dreams.
When the procession. war vending its
way toward the Capitol for the Inaugural
ton ceremonies. the first carriage was oc-
cupied by the President-elect. At some lit
tie distance behind there followed one con-
tanning Mr.. Hendricks. Pennsylvania ave-
nue. was lined the whole distance with thou
sands of people who had from
all parts of the Union. AS the first car
rage passed along ii was greeted with
perfunctory cheers. but the appearance of
that containing Mr.. Hendricks was the
signal for a prolonged roar that testined
to the peoples love and confidence. The
contrast was painful. 1t sent a chill down
the backs of those who were expecting TO
| secure appointments TO office. What was SO
apparent to the multitude could not be un-
noticed bv the President-elect. His sopl
was distracted with envy no less bitter
than malicious. He returned to the ""-.-e
| House hating Mr.. Hendricks Indignantly.
He never afterward treated Mr.. Hendricks
with the courtesy due him as Vice Presi-
dent.
| ing to the Kelly interview. Mr.. Hendricks
| called on the President. The writer. was
| i'm the room of Mr.. Hendricks. at Willard's
Hotel. when he returned. He seemed 70
be disappointed and said: Il hoped Mr..
| Cleveland would put the Democratic party
in power in fact as we'll as in name. but
he does not intend to do it," The predic-
ton of John Kelly had been verified