New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-13
MR.. TAPPEN'S ELECTION.
HIS PARROT BREAKS IN UNCEREMONI-
OUSLY ON AN INTERVIEW.

Frederick D. Tappen. who was elected presi-
dent of the Union League Club on Thursday
night on an Independent ticket against ex-Judge
Henry E. Rowland the regular" candidate
was Ill at his home No. 40 East -eighth-st..
Thursday night and knew nothing of what
going at the club while his name was
being balloted on. He and ex-Judge Rowland
are longtime friends and several weeks ago
Mr. Tappen assured Mr. Howland that he would
not for minute think of being candidate
against him. he would consider 1t disloyaL
Mr.. Tappen who as president OF the Gallatln
National Bank is one OF the prominent 1nan-
ciers of the city, was in his library the sec
ond floor Of his home last night when Tribune
reporter called. On his desk were messages
from friends congratuating him his election.
About eight feet away on table was Mr. Tap
pens pet parrot, proficient talker. and on &C
count of her clarion voice and general intelli-
gence greatly priced by Mr.. Tappen The parrot
took prominent part in the interview.
I've been i'll for nearly a week with hard
cold" said Mr.. Tappen. looking over at the par
rot, "and 1 knew nothing about my election to
the presidency Of the club till about 1880 o'clock
this morning. when a member Of the House
Committee rang my doorbell and sent up a note
telling me that had been elected
'You'r-e-a-l-i-a-r"' shrieked Poll at the top
of her voice.
MARY! Nary said Mr.. Tappen hurriedly to
a servant, give that bird dose of cold water
and make her get off her perch"
In a twinkling the servant was spraying the
too talkative parrot. and the water had quiet
ing effect. Mr.. Tappen who is digniied man.
went on:
Judge Howland and 1 are old friends. as 1
said before, and I wanted to see him elected.
No doubt the unfortunate paragraphs In the
evening papers calling the Judges friends to
rally had something to do in solidifying an oppo-
sition to him. 1 notice only one error In The
Tribune's article this morning. and that not the
fault of the reporter, probably. The article says
that my friends had obtained my consent to
stand as a candidate. That is entirely wrong,
They never at any time had it."
That" suggested the reporter, was the un-
derstanding on the part of many at the CLUB
last nj
''You'r-e-a-l-i-a-r!" shrieked the parrot to the
reporter, who. it must be confessed, felt greatly
embarrassed and uncomfortable.
MARY! MaryP' said the banker. put that can
vas cover over the cage. We can't have her
breaking in so.'
Serves you just right said the servant firm
ly as she pulled the canvas down almost TO the
bottom of the cage, leaving Poll in comparative
darkness.
Il wrote to Judge HowIand to-day" continued
N, d
shock TO than it was to him. Under the cir
cumstances shall accept the office, as IT would
be an ungraefous thing for me to refuse, after
being thus honored by my club friends"
Gould you have prevented your own election
had you been present last night?" asked the
reporter, as he rose to go.
Yes said President Tappen firmly. also
rising Had been there last night could
have checked the enthusiasm of my friends and
prevented my own elec'-
'You'r-e-a-I-i-a-ri C-u-r-r-r-r-t!" yelled Poll
from her darkened cage, and the reporter looked
around to a calmly blinking eye peering from
under the edge of the canvas
THAT bird says number of things, said Mr..
Tappen. laughing outright. II wouldn't take
81 900 for her. The Rev DR.. Newton was in
here the other day telling about his church
work He waXed rather enthusiastic at one
point and Poll whose cage was right behind
him. noticed it, He had just reached the climax
in his narrative when the bird yelled, You're
as he followed the reporter to the top of the
stairs and bade him good night
When eX-Judge Rowland was seen at his Of
fee No. 80 Wall-st. he cOurteOusly but firmly
refused to comment on his defeat 1t Is no Sc
cret however. that Mr.. HoWland feels incensed
about the methods used by some of his Oppo-
nents to accomplish his defeat
Members of the club yesterday said that one
of the principal reasons for honoring Mr.. Tap
pen was the admiration his club friends felt for
Der of the Clearing House Committee during the
panic on December 20. He was one of the
bankers pool which on that occasion subscribed
$4,000 900 for loaning on call In order to check
the panicky feeling. The S1O,OOOOOO was placed
in Mr. Tappens hands, and he loaned out about
the first to move in the emergency, and his attt-
tude throughout the trying situation was such as
to win the praise of the business community.