Evening star., 1897-03-02
Mr.. Cleveland Suffering Great Pain
From Rheumatism.
UNABLE TO Be At CABINET MEETING
May Not Participate in the In
auguration Ceremonies.
THE BUSHNELL INCIDENT

much worse today than yesterday There
is possibility that he may not be able to
attend the inaugural exercises at the Cap
itol Thursday
His rheumatism, for that is what he Is
suffering from, became so troublesome that
DR.. Sternherg, surgeon general of the army,
was called in. Dr. O'Reilly, the Presidents
regular physician, is in Europe Yesterday
the President vas unable to stand and to-
day there are fears of serious breakdown.
Rev. DR.. Sunderland, who has been the
Presidents pastor during his stay In Wash
ington, was among the earliest callers He
was very anxious to know the Presidents
condition. and he remained with Secretary
Thurber for some time.
The cabinet met at IL o'clock, as usual.
All the members were present, except the
Secretary of State. The President was not
able to enter the cabinet room, and the
last meeting of the present cabinet was
held without him.
He is proIped up in a big chair in his
private apartments in the west end of the
mansion. and all matters of state are sent
into him there. He is in great pain at
times. and it is only by the most strenuous
exertions that he is able to attend to the
public business. 1t is this which leads his
friends to fear that a nervous breakdown
may occur at any moment in case he over
exerts himself at his work
Wien Secretary Thurber was asked il
there was a possibility that the President
would be unable to attend the Inaugural
ton exercises Thursday he said:
Il fear there Is. But he will go if he can
rec himself to do it. The President to-
day Is rot able to be out of bed He is
trying to conserve his strength. He will
make an effort to attend the dinner he
gives to Mai. Mckinley tonight
Capt Robley d. Evans called in the
morning to arrange for the duck-shootins
n no TAX ba 10
Of the week. 1t was the intention of the
President to leave Thursday afternoon for
the south on one of the light house ten
ders. 1t is more than probable now that
the trip will have to be abandoned on ac-
count of the Presidents illness.
Unable to Walk without Pain.
/ Surgeon General Sternberg was seen in
his office in the War Department by
Star reporter this afternoon about 2:30
o'clock. Although disinclined, for profess
sional reasons. to discuss the Presidents s
condition, he admitted that he was suffer
ing from an attack of rheumatism Being
pressed On the subject Gen. Sternberg said
that in the absence of DIR. OReilly, the
Presidents physician. he had been called
In to see the President yesterday, and was
now treating him for rheumatism
You may say said the doctor, that
the President is in his room by order of his
physician, and that we hope to get him
augural ceremonies.
1T was my express direction that he be
kept to his room yesterday ard today, and
1t IS ridiculous to attempt to make it an
pear that he intended any slight to Gov
ernOr Bushnell or any one else by not re-
ceiving them. His case is not serious but
his atlment is painful. He cannot wear
shoe. and he cannot walk without suffer
ing severely.
The prospect is that he will be all right
again In a few days, and 1 hope he will
be able to take his part in the inaugural
ceremonies, but there is no certainty on
that point. Although / advised him to
remain in bed, I didn't absolutely insist
upon 1t. viii he be able to attend the
dinner to Major Mckinley tonight? Well,
l can't say as to that. but 1 have nv
doubts. He is perfectly able to consider
business In his room. but is in no condi-
ton to receive visitors
The Bushnell Incident.
Great Indignation is expressed at the
Wh1te House over the article published
this morning to the effect that Governor
Bushnell OF Ohio had been snubbed by the
president. The story, as published, is de-
MED In every particular. 1t is stated that
there is not a word of truth In it. The
Iacts IN the case are said to be these:
During the day a member of Governor
BushneTs stan called on Secretary Thur
Der He expressed desire. on behalf of
the governor, to call on the President. Mr.
Thurber told him. confdentially, that the
President could not stand and was in such
a condition that it would be impossible for
him to receive any one. The courtesy of
the request was fully appreciated. The staff
officer was told that the necessity of a re-
fusal was very much regretted by the
President.
1t was thought that this explanation
would be sufficient to prove that it was a
necessity which dictated the refusal AMI
not a desire to snub. Had the President
i'm h.a how.
been pleased to meet Governor Bushnell.
Secretary Thurber said later in the day:
A staff officer called on me and said
Governor Bushnell would like to pay his
respects 10 the President l told him the
President would be very glad to receive
Governor Bushnell, but his physical cont.i-
t1on would not permit it. L told him in
confidence, and not for publication, that tie
President could not stand on his feet ana
was confined to his room. / begged him
to convey to Governor Bushnell the Presi-
dents appreciation of the courtesy and the
assurance that 1t was only his physical
condition that prevented him from greeting
the governor personally
Mrs. Cleveland is home again and will
remain until Thursday. Mrs Olney called
on her at an early hour and remained some
time.
Big Crowd of StranKers
The crowd of strangers at the White
House is very large. The various officers
stand that only the east room was open to
the public. Many requests for admission 10
other parts of the house " ere proffered, bur
the rule was followed in all cases. Until
o'clock constant stream of visitors poured
in the front door.
The Presidents reviewing stand has been
completed. Today ii is gay in its bunting
and banners. The smaller stand in the
northeast corner of the grounds is also
ready for occupancy, and nothing is want
ing now but good weather.
Senators Morrill, and Gray were among
the earliest callers at the Executive Man
sion, but did not see the President. Quite
a number of representatives got as far as
Mr.. Thurber's room, but stopped there.
While the cabinet meeting was in ses-
sion large portrait of Postmaster Cen
'eral Wilson was carried into the cabinet
room. 1t was much admired by all his
colleagues Secretary Olney. arrived be-
fore 1870 o'clock and relieved Secretary
Carlisle of the duty of presiding.
Secretary Olnay remained with the Pres
ident long after the other members of the
cabinet left the White House His confer
ence with the Presiden: lasted until 30
O'clock.
The decorations on the War State and
Navy building are, attracting general at
tention from all visitors. They are thought