The San Francisco call., 1896-05-10
HIS BROKEN PROMISES
How the Quarrel Between
Cleveland and Hendricks
Originated.
The President Failed to Carry Out
Agreements Made When He Was
but a Candidate.

"But can Thomas afford to accept? p"
Mrs. Thomas A. Hendricks asked me
when l read telegram to her announcing
the nomination of Mr.. Hendricks for Vice
President on the ticket with Grover Cleve-
land. Indiana Democracy had been wild
with excitement for months in anticipa-
ton of the nomination of Hendricks for
President. Cleveland and others had been
mentioned, but the Democrats of the
Hooser State knew but one man in all
America who was fit, worthy and entitled
to be the National party standard bearer,
and when the second place was given to
their favorite, in the bitterness of their
disappointment they asked as did Mrs.
Hendricks, "Can Thomas afford to &C.
cept?'
This was in 1884 when Grover Cleveland
gave the old leaders an exhibition for the
first time of his consummate skill as a
political mixer and manipulation. That he
was adroit on that occasion there is no
doubt whatever, but then he has
been adroit enough on every oc-
casion since that capture of the party
to do about as he liked and I have
watched with considerable interest his
methods. Cleveland is not the stubborn
and self-willed politician that some sup
pose him to be, but he is all that and
good deal more when wearing the robes of
office. The immense majority, nearly
200, 600, he received when elected Governor
of New York was misunderstood by him.
Inste ad of understanding it as a rebuke TO
the Republican ring he looked upon it as
an expression of the confidence of the
people in himself, such as no other man
ever received, and it so turned his head
that he soon came to the conclusion that
Providence had sent HIM into the world
to rule mankind and that mankind could
not get on without him, but that did not
hinder him from studying the ins and outs
OF practical politics, nor to overlook the
sleek methods of Tammany.
But this is a depression, although it
serves to lead up to revelations of the
mans true character. Mr.. Hendricks, who
was himself thorough. but an honest,
politician, made an analysis of Cleveland's
methods to capture the nomination for
President, which convinced him that for
his own good he had better have an under
standing with the head of the ticket be-
fore accepting second place. Pressure was
at once brought to bear upon Mr.. Hen
dricks to accept, for, it was urged, he
would have to pull the ticket through, if
it ever got through. But the willy old
Indianian said to them all, "Give me time
to think it over" Upon his return from
L
residence at Indianapolis, and when l
asked when we might expect his letter of
acceptance, 81 will tell you" he said, "but,
as they say, mot for publication do
not know that | shall accept at ali; any
way, not until l have had q clear, positive
and certain understanding with Nh. Cleve-
land"
"That is an unusual procedure, is it
not, +" | said.
perhaps so," Mr.. Hendricks replied,
''but have never met Governor Cleveland.
Some of the New York delegates to the
convention know him quite well, however,
and after listening to recitals of their ex-
periences with him concluded the wiser
course for me would be to have a confer
ence with him before agreeing to run for
Vice-President."
"Of course" l said, eff you have a con-
ference there would be no danger of con-
fiict of opinion and policy between your
letters of acceptance"
81 am not thinking of that at ALL" he re-
piled, "but shall not accept the nomina-
tion until Governor Cleveland gives me
satisfying assurances that, if elected, the
Vice-President will not be a mere fifth
wheel to wagon. The office of Vice.
President must be elevated to where its
incumbent will not only be the principal
official confidant and adviser of the Presi-
dent, but he must be substantially on
parity with the President in the matter of
patronage, and also there must be less dis
tinction than heretofore in a social way
between the President and Vice-Presi-
dent"
Being enjoined to secrecy, of course 1
did not "give it away" TO the newspaper
represented, but l awaited with interest
Mr.. Hendricks return from his conference
with Cleveland. Meanwhile the pressure
that was being brought to bear upon Mr..
Hendricks to promptly accept was becom-
ing almost too gry at for human being to
bear. The "boys" wanted to go to work.
but until Hendricks accepted there could
be nothing to erthuse about.
When it suited his convenience Mr..