Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-28
THROWING OUT FEELERS MT, CIeveIand's Friend Benedict Expresses His Opinion ON THIRD TERM QUESTION He Has Never Questioned the President on the
 Subject, BUT HE HAS READ THEPRESlDENT'S MIND Mir. Cleveland Says He Was Great Fool to Accept the Presidency the Sec-
 ond Time and Is Anxious
 to Get Out.
ON THIRD TERM QUESTION
BUT HE HAS READ THEPRESIDENT'S MIND

New York, Nov. 27.-When seen today relative to a statement published in a morning newspaper in this city stating that President Grover Cleveland would never consent to stand for third term, MT. E. c. Benedict, the Broad street banker, who was authority for the state ment said that in part the statement was true, but in certain parts it was made too strong.
 ITO set the matter forever right, will write what I have to say" MT. Bene- dict then penned the following and handed it to the reporter:
 "All that l have said or can say in reference to President Cleveland's views as to a third term, is inferential l infer from what he has repeatedly said that he is impatient to be rid of all official cares and unwilling to have them prolonged under any circumstances"
 Continuing, MT. Benedict said Tt is no secret to anybody who knows MT. Cleveland well as to his views on this subject. He has been counting the months until he can be free of the tram melS of public affairs. He feels, and he told me so, in fact he has told many of his friends so, that he was great fool to accept the presidency the second time. He said: I have had enough of victory and defeat-and that Is all a man can have in this world.' He has been like this ever since he entered upon his second term" Here MT. Benedict clenched his fists and shook them over his temples, re- 1axing his fingers, to tell of the months in pantomine, of the months he had yet to serve.
 Mr. Benedict then said: "He was fool ish, he knows it, in accepting a second term, for he often complained that his health was shattered until he was hardly able to stand it longer Of course every body who knows him knows this-so it is no secret. I once said to him: I am spelling your chances for third term. am telling people you will not accept
 "He did not seem much interested, and said Go ahead
 Many of my friends have come to me, many of them republicans of standing, and they said, He must run the country demands it; he must give us a chance to vote for him.
 "I have invariabl replied, I don't think you will ever have chance to vote for him again. and I tell you now, sir, do not think President Cleveland can be prevailed upon to accept the nomin tiion fourth time"
 .- Have you ever questioned the presi- dent directly upon the third term ques- tion?" was asked.
 No" answered MT. Benedict "but you don't always have to ask questions to get an answer, as words and sentiments on collateral matters will some times an- swer."
 Mr. Benedict then in confidence told the reporter certain actions of the pres ident bearing on the third term question, which would tend to show that MT Cleve- land will not stand for third term for the presidency.
 Do you agree with some of MT. Cleve- lands enthusiastic friends that MT. Clevelands s duty is plain; that he should accept the nomination next year?"
 "No, do not" answered MT. Benedict. "And think that the claim made in cer- tain quarters, that he be offered the nom- ination because the democratic party has no better man. is an insult to him."
 MT. Benedict, in conclusion said: "As to being positive that MT. Cleveland would not accept a fourth nomination I am mot; do not think he will do so."