People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1896-10-16
VAN ALIENS BARGAIN
HE PAID HIS $4,000 AND NOW DE
MANDs HIS POUND OF FLESH.
Friends Of the President Offer to
'f Refund the Money, But We're
Met With a Refusal.

esLlng HISTORY Oh INC oNOiVo .
up to the nomination OF James ).
Van Allen to be ambassador to Italy.
Two of the leaders Of the so-called
mugwump party were discussing poll
tics at the city club one evening IN
April last. One was Richard Wat
son Glider, editor of the Century,
and the other was Horace White,
editor of the New York Eoen1n5
Post. Both knew President Cleve-
land intimately; both had given him
advice from a mugwump standpoint,
some of which he had needed.
These two gentlemen knew the
efforts that James ]. Van Allen was
making to capture the the Italian
mission. They had been taken into
the confidence of the Democratic
leaders, and knew that Mr.. Van Allen
had contributed $4,000 for cam
paign purposes. They supposed 1t
had been given in an outburst OF
generosity. But when Mr.. Van Allen
went to Washington shortly after
the inauguration and announced that
he was to be American minister to
Italy, Mr.. Glider and Mr.. White
realized that the donation Of $780,
600 meant more than generosity.
They Investigated the matter and
were told that the Italian mission
had been promised to Mr.. Van Allen
in return for the $4,000 contributed
to the campaign fund.
NOT A QUESTION OF FITNESS.
At the city club on the night re-
ferred to above, Mr.. Glider and Mr.,
White discussed the matter. They
both agreed that Mr.. Van Aliens fit
ness was not the question at stake.
The fact that he had contributed
$4,000 to the campaign fund and
expected the Italian mission in re-
turn (that he supposed he had bought
a Federal office was enough for
them. They foresaw q political scan
dial which they determined to avert.
They wrote to President Cleveland,
explaining the condition of affairs.
Fearing that the appointment would
be made, each sent a second letter to-
President Cleveland and later on q
third letter. Each Of these letters
was vigorous protest apainst the
appointment.
President Cleveland was in sin
oular position, and was disguised
With the idea 81 appointing Van
Allen, and he tried to avoid it. On
the other hand, he had Mr.. Whit
news promise to Mr.. Van Allen to
face. Mr.. Whitney told the Presi-
dent of his promise and urged its
fulfllment. When Mr.. Glider and
Mr. White opposed the appointment
President Cleveland communicated
their views to Mr.. Whitney and
urged the abandonment of the idea.
Mr. Whitney was firm, He had
given his promise. He would not
90 back on that promise There was
q slight GOODNESS between President
Cleveland and Mr. Whitney after
this consultation The matter was
not referred to again.
TO RETURN THE MONEY.
Mr.. Glider and Mr.. White under
stood the situation and decided to
relieve President Cleveland of his
embarrassment. Mr.. Van Allen had
been promised the Italian mission in
return for his contribution Of $780,
COS to the campaign fund. ait will
not do to have him appointed" they
SAID to each other, "and it isn't fair
that he should lose his $4,000. 1t
is simply case where goods bought
and paid for can't be delivered. But
the purchase price can be returned
to The would be purchaser. We
will raise $4,000 by private sub
scription and give it to Mr.. Van
Alien"
II will give $1,000" said Mr..
Glider.