Semi=weekly graphic., 1899-09-20
HE SAVED WASHINGTON
Outlined War Policy for McKin- ley-Dictator Under
 President Lincoln

went to entucky, where he accom- panied his son, Clifton, ca his entering school at Richmond, has returned. Learning that he was fortunate enough to meet General Cassius M. Clay, one of the most unique characters, not only in Ken lucky, but of the world, a Graphic reporter interviewed Mr. Howell with the hope of obtaining some definite information of the man who has been called the "man of many wives and who is the possessor of many qnaint eccen tricities.
 Said Mr. Howell: Kentucky is indeed beauty spot and truly the blue grass region. After leaving my son at Richmond, through the courtesy of former friend of mine and teacher in the Rich
 mond College, but now prominent lawyer of that place, Mir. Roberts, l enjoyed a pleasant and most in ter
 estng drive from Richmond to Lex ington. We started on what is known as the Lexington Drive from Richmond and when about seven miles on our way Mir. Roberts asked me if l would like to meet General Cassius M. Clay was more than pleased to have the opportunity and would have felt aggrieved, indeed, not to say disappointed, if mad not met him after reading so much about this unique character. Mir. Roberts intimated that we would experience some difficulty in making his acquaintance, but after short drive of probably a mile saw in the distance a grand old mansion of Colonial times looming up in the distance, and was remarking on it's beauty and grandeur when Mr. Rob- erts informed me it was the home of General Clay. Well, you can i'm agine my surprise when as we near ed the gate, there on the porch be-
 tween the pillars of the gallery sat a white halred man, in appearance old but in reality a man whose yigor equals that of any man of 30, not standing he carried 90 years on his broad shoulders. I was fortu- nate enough to find him in a pleas a nt mood, and after the usual intro ductory remarks, started in to find out all 1 could. The first thing the General was pleased to review was that of what people had heard about him, and showed how untruthful some of these things were. He arose, requesting us to follow him into large well filled library, one strictly in keeping with the man, unique and novel. The house inside wasflike palace notwithstanding his opinion to the con trary. Scattered oyer the floor was, it seemed to me, about 400 papers; these, he informed me, ! were manuscripts that he had writ. ten and will be published after his death as his memoirs; that, he said he would do in order that the world might know the truth of everything that they had been reading about in the past. His first wife destroyed his first manuscripts, he said As to his wives he would say nothing. The landscape that can be viewed from his gallery is truly picture of nature; no pen could portray the scenery that surrounds his palatial residence. The trees are a marvel; he has never trimmed a tree in his life, for he says that he believes in letting nature follow it's own course.
 T asked him. continued Mr. Howell, regarding the war with Spain, and he seemed to flow with information on every known subject one could mention. He credits him. self with formulating the war, the plans throughout and says that Me Kinley has followed his plans from