Evening star., 1896-01-04
PRESIDENTIAL SPORTSMEN

President Cleveland is scarcely less of an
enigma to sportsmen than. he is. to some
politicians. Many of his peculiarities are
entirely irreconcilable with that disposition
which makes a man fond of outdoor
sports, especially shooting and fishing.
Very different personal qualities from those
he displays are looked for generally in a
man who Is fond of his rod and gun. This
leads many who have never accompanied
him on one of his trips to believe that he
really does not care great deal for the
sport when he gets out, and that the ducks
or the fish merely furnish q convenient ex-
cuse for getting away. Those who have
seen him with gun or rod do not share in
this impression. 1t is evident to them that
he truly enjoys killing game. Moreover. he
is quick TO avail himself of an opportunity
to partake of the homely fare of the coun-
try people, and he shows a liking for
roughing it
Mr.. Harrison. when he was In the White
House, was quite as fond as is Mr.. Cleve-
land of shooting and fishing. but he did
not devote as much time to that sort of
enjoyment. There is a great difference be-
tween the habits of the two men when in
the field. the boat the blind. Their diff
ference In temperament is very consp.cu-
ously shown in their manner of handling
gun and taking a shot. Harrison has
more of the recognized traits of a sports
man.
He is quick shot and takes chances
He is ready to risk an almost impossible
shot rather than let it go without the trial
and often gets his game on just such
Slim chance He does not wait for a sure
thing. Consequently when he has been
duck shooting he has made more misses,
but at the same time bagged more game
than has Cleveland.
Cleveland seems to be more anxious not
to miss than he Is to get the shot He will
permit any number of chances to pass
without pulling the trigger, which Harri-
son would take. hit miss. He will wait
for hours, possibly half the day, for a sure
thing, and let fair opportunities go by.
He shows neither impatience nor fatigue
IN waiting. When he is offered Just the
shot he wants. he brings his gun firmly
to his shoulder, gets a deliberate sight
along the barrel, and when he is perfectly
sure of his aim, pulls the trigger. If he
fails to get the duck covered just to his
liking. he will lower his gun without fir
ing. and walt for other ducks to come. He
wants an absolute assurance with each
shot and often allows the bird to go by
when most any other man on earth would
take the shot. The result is that very sell
dom ne wastes charge Of shot, but he
does NOT get large number of birds. To
miss once Is to spoil his sport. He does
not mind the game getting away without
being shot at.
Harrison would take a quick shot with
out waiting to get the gun to his shoulder
and would get the game If there was any
sort of show for him. But If he failed
ne was ready for the next, and thought no
more aboit it. At the end Of the day he
would regret few shots lost through hesita-
tiun.
Cleveland's gun is sure death to what
gets In its way. Harrison's gun Is liable
to reach that which seems to be at safe
distance. Cleveland wants slow and un-
suspecting game. Harrison takes his
chance with the wary.
Those who have hunted ducks with the
two Presidents have been greatly impress
ed with the difference between them.