The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-11
HARRISON'S COLDNESS.
Washington Letter, Pittsburg News.

Washington Letter, Pittsburg News.
The marriage Of General Harrison has.
and naturally enough, caused a great deal
of interest and talk in Washington. Be
fore his election to the presidency General
Harrison and his first wife spent the great
er part of his six years in the senate in
Washington, and both were well known
socially before they entered the white
house. Mrs. Harrison was deservedly ad-
mired and esteemed while occupying the
position OF first lady of the land, and her
proctracted illness and lamented death
added tenderness to the regard In which
she was held. Nor was General Harrison
as unpopular with the people here. as he
was with the politicians. In fact, he was
not unpopular at all. He Is very demo-
cratic sort of a man, and did not keep
himself hedged about with bodyguards
and formality as does his successor. Mr..
Cleveland. He frequently walked about
the streets, sometimes alone, sometimes
with a member Of the cabinet or some
other friend, even went to a ball game
occasionally, and he was often seen driv.
ing behind his team of bay horses. AL
together, General Harrison was familiar
figure about Washington during his term
as president. The reverse Is true Of Mr.
Cleveland. He has been seen once this
term walking out, and 1t was considered
so remarkable that all the correspondents
telegraphed the news to their papers. He
seldom drives out, and his public ap-
pearances are very rare. When he goes
off on his duck hunting expeditions, the
whole affair Is clothed In the deepest Sc
dodging Anarchists, could not observe
greater caution and secrecy as to his
movements becoming publicly known.
jill
Speaking of Mr.. Harrison's Goodness"
it may not be generally known that he Is
fully conscious of his failing in that re-
spect, and sincerely deplores it. He is not
by nature a cold man. One who was
brought into most intimate relations with
him for number Of years, both before
other day: General Harrison is one of
the kindest hearted men that ever lived.
All this GOODNESS you hear SO much about
is only on the surface. There could not lie
a more gentle. courteous and kindly man
than he Is" This Is doubtless true. but,
at the same time. II Is the Surface of a
mans nature that the public sees most Of
When the widow Of General Sheridan had
the interview with him from which she
retired so utterly distressed, General Har-
rison was deeply grieved when he heard
of her feelings. He told friend that he
had tried to be most kind and courteous
to her. and could not understand why she
had thought him otherwise.
-:ll:--
The leading Republican politician of one
of the southern states, and always Il
close friend and supporter of General Har-
rison. told me the following story the other
day: 81 came to Washington to see Pres
ident Harrison on business. We got
through just as his luncheon hour ar.
rived. and he asked me to join him at the
table. He brought up the subject of his
alleged coldness of demeanor. and said
that, while he realized there was ground
for the complaint, he never meant to be
cold. In truth. he fought to overcome his
falling In that respect. but, very often. he
an instance he said. The other day a
senator came to me 10 urge the appoint
ment of certain constituent of his 10
an important place. He told me what l
was satisfied was true-that the man was
honest. entirely competent, and that his
his appointment would be very satisfac.
tory to the Republicans Of that state.
And yet knew let that senator leave me
without giving him the slightest sign or
token Of what Intended to do. while all
the time, the mans appointment, signed
and ready to be sent to the senate. was
lying on my desk within foot Of the
senator's hand. 1t may have reached the
senate chamber before he did. / don't
blame him for being hurt, and even angry.
If It did. but still couldn't bring myself
to let him know what l had DONE"