New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-30
Mr.. DEPEW FOR HARMONY.
REPUBLICAN LEADERS DINE WITH GEN.
ERAL HARRISON.
GOVERNOR MORTON. GOVERNOR MKINLEY. MAY.
OR STRONG SENATORS CARTER AND ELL
KINs AND Ex-sENATORs MILLER,
PLArr AND HIsCocK AMONG i
THE GUESTS 49,


of discussion in political circles yesterday. It
was generally acknowledged that Mr.. Depew
had made a master stroke In the interest Of
harmony. and that his feast to eminent Re-
publican leaders was one Of the most interesting
that have taken place in political circles since
his famous harmony dinner Of 1885, which re-
suited in the nomination Of General Harrison In
that year. The theorists vaguely wondering
whether this dinner Is to be a repetition Of that
one and what its effect on sthe political atmos-
phere will really be.
Those who present at the dinner last
night were ex-President Benjamin Harrison,
Governor Levi p. Morton Governor william Nc
Kinley Senator Thomas II. Carter. Senator
Stephen b. Elkins Mayor William L. Strong.
ex-senator Warner Miller ex-senator Thomas
c. Platt. ex-senator Frank Hiscock F.. A. Wither-
bee Cornelius Vanderbilt, General Horace
Porter. Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt,
ID. o. Mills. Leu,enant-Governor saxton. state
Senator Joseph Mulin. General Samuel Thomas.
Congressman J. J. Belden. Commissioner Brook
field Judge w. II. Robertson. Cornelius n. Bliss,
Colonel Frederick d. Grant. Speaker Hamilton
Fish. f. II. Butler and Edward Lauterbach. and
the host. Chauncey NJ Depew.
TRYING TO REACH THOMAS b. REED
Mr. Depew did not get his complete list closed
up until late yesterday afternoon. He hoped to
have Thomas b. Reed present. but he was un-
able to get in communication with him. Tele-
grams were sent to all parts of the country. and
the long-dIstance telephone was worked with
vim. but Mr. Reed could not be found. Late in
the afternoon n dispatch received from
Portland Me-. saying that Mr. Reed was a
hunting trip and could not attend. II was quite
a disappointment 10 Mr.. Depew. who hoped to
tiaI nm.
plete Speaking OF Mr. Reed yesterday. Mr..
Depew said:
Il have done all could. We have kept tho
wires both telegraph and telephone. hot with
messages. but he has not been reached. arm
sorry he can not be present. for he would feel
quite at home" Here Mr.. Depew smiled In an
emgmatcal manner.
The house OF Mr.. Depew. at No. 43 West Fifty
fourth-st was not decorated to any great ex-
tent for the dinner. The banquet served In
the big dining room, and American Beauty roses
predominated among the flowers. Mr.. Depew
said yesterday:
"As | was leaving my house this morning I
met man on the steps who had Just rung the
bell asked him what he wanted, and he re-
piled that he had note to deliver. but that he
would give II to one OF the servants. asked
him II It was for me. He replied that II was.
| saw at once that the man was his own messen-
Der. and so took the note and read II. 1t was
couched in the most formal language and was.
In short. an application that he might be allowed
to exhibit a patent organ at the dinner. and
furnish music for the evening He said that he
had exhibited 1t before many prominent people.
but he now saw chance to make hit. and
asked for the privilege Of having his organ play
during the dinner. He had big picture OF 1t.
and II looked like fine instrument. but TOLD
him that believed there would be plenty OF
harmony at the dinner without an organ. Here
Mr. Depew laughed again as he saw before him
che reunion that was to take place around hiS
board In the evening.
\ SOCIAL MEETING MR.. DEPEW SAYS.
II is doubtful II the same number OF party lead
ers representing such a variety OF differences.
were ever brought together before at banquet or
private dinner Those who are acquainted with
the situation vaguely wondered what they found
TO talk about and IL asserted that II they got
away from the standard topic OF the weather
warm argument might be precipitated MT De-
pew settled this question yesterday when ne sag:
There will be speeches. will not all9w
that. 1t is TO be entirely informal. and the talk
will be limited TO common conversation Afser
the dinner liquors and cigars will be served In tbs
library. and a general experience meeting Will be
held"
Mr. Depew was IN high feather during the day
over the success OF his plans He was congratu-
lated on every hand. Picking up list OF the
guests who were 10 be present he said yesterday
afternoon:
You can Judge for yourself Of the interest that
is attached to this dinner by looking over the
guests There is ex-President Harrison. Governor
Morton and Governor Mckinley. They are all
Thomas H. Carter He is for silver. but is also be-
lieved TO have a strong leaning toward Mr.. Harri-
SON Senator Elkins is also friend of Mr.. Harri-
SON Mayor Strong is thought 10 be Governor Nc
Kinley's champion in the Presidential race Ex-
Senator Warner Miller is non-committal Ex-
Senator Platt is believed To have a fondness FOR
Mr. Reed Cornelius Vanderbilt Is not making
Presidents and that is personal General Horace
Porter is president of the Union League club. and
is listed a Harrison man. Mr.. Roosevelt Is Tor
anybody with fondness for civil service. ana SO
on. AS for myself''-here Mr. Depew smiled-"I
said some time ago that favored Governor Nor
ton. with all this difference OF opinion II Is
nevertheless just quiet. sociable dinner.
never make speeches IN my own house. ana !
don't want to be outdone by others. What could
be more natural than that the friend OF ex-Pres-
dent Harrison (the only living exPresidenp and
the man who nominated him, should give dinner
In his honor and invite all the Republican leaders
that he could reach? The idea first occurred 10
me last Friday and Immediately started to car.
ry II out To those who were In town the invita-
tions were sent by hand and mall. aud 70 those
out OF town by telegraph. Only one Of the gente-
men invited sent refusal. and that was owing TO
Illness"
ARRIVAL OF GOVERNOR MKINLEf.
Governor Mckinley arrived In the city from the
West at o'clock last evening". over the New-iork
Central Railroad. He was riet at the WINDSOR
Hotel by Mayor Strong. and they went 70 the
dinner together. General Harrison and senator
Elkins met at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. and, arm
IN arm strolled on for the feast. Senator carter
'trolled forth alone. and. Governor Morton VINO