New-York tribune., 1900-03-04

the Thetis. Governor Butler was the Nationalist
candidate for President at that time, nd was
invited to speak, and did so.
FEARS FOR COMBINES SAFETY
The hotel was the scene of a stormy time when
President Garfield was assassinated Roscoe
Conkling was in the house when the startling
news reached New-YOrk great crowd con-
sresated about the hotel, and it was loudly de-
clareo by many people in the throng that the
New-York Senator was responsible for Guteau's
deed. Mob violence was feared and a large
force OF police sent to the hotel to prevent
any harm being done
MT flatt was also guest at the time, and
mas been most of the time since then. He exer-
cised his prerogatve as boss Of the Republican
party from his Fifth Avenue Hotel headaua-~
ters for many years. and during the time when
ne was in absolute power before the indepen-
dent wing of the party asserted itself he added
new Importance to the political centre by estab-
fishing his Sunday school," to which his sup
porters and dependents came for orders and IN
spiration
Among the political gatherings which have
taken place in the hotel the which was held
on October 30. 1884 was probably the most I'M
portant because of its consequences 1t was q
meeting of Clergymen called for the purpose Of
indorsing James G. Blaine 1t took place in the
grand foyer on the second floor. would
have passed out of the recollection of the people
but for the short speech of the Rev b.
Burchard of Brooklyn who, standing the
third rise of the stairway leading to the next
floor. said in the course of his remarks:
We are Republicans, and don't propose to
leave our party to identify ourselves with the
party whose antecedents have been Rum Ro-
manism and Rebellion.
Within twenty-four hours the last four words
| of the Burchard speech we're the text of Demo
cratic harangues ALI over the country, and II .
believed by thousands of citizens that they
Influenced enough votes against Mr.. Blaine to
carry the State OF New-York for Grover CieY>.
land and to elect him to the Presidency, which
they think would have gone to Mr.. Blaine il the
meeting of clergymen had never taken place.
SOLID AND STABLE.
Glitter. gold and garish decoration never
features of the famous hotel. It's exterior as
well as the lofty Cornthian corridors bear the
stamp Of sodty and stability more than show
or splendor There eiaborately furnished
state apartments, and the great men who made
their homes there were accommodated In well
furnished but modest apartments. General
Grant always had rooms Nos. 43 and A. on the
Twenty-fourth st side and General Sherman,
who lived there until he took a house. occupied
rooms Nos. % "a and %.
The hotel has been remarkably free from
! accidents and disasters BY fire which took
place in December. 1872. nine servants lost their
lives and about 100000 worth OF property wa,
destroyed. Some years ago the managers made
heroic efforts to secure water supply for the
house by boring an artesan well back Of the
property. The shaft sunk to a depth Of
100 feet and then the work was abandoned
Colonel Carr. who served clerk in the hotel
for thirty years, in speaking OF the circum-
stance said: "GeolOgists deeply interested
in the outcome OF the work and the theory was
advanced that the hotel stood upon the 'earths
foundation stone which made the hotel along
with its other good qualities, earthquake proof"