Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-08
Princeton: A Conference.

The following interview has not as yet
taken place. but may 1t not be on the cards
for the near future?
Scene. Princeton. New Jersey. The IL
brary of a comfortable residence The host.
stout gentleman nursing a rheumatic leg.
The guest, a smooth-shaven man of pleas
ant face. quick of motion. friendly Of ad-
dress and deferential.
81 have run down, Mr.. Cleveland, to have
word with you about that letter. The
boys don't like 1t. They were getting ready
to support you again next year, and their
plans have all been upset.
what would you have me do. MurphyT
For my part. and speaking for the boys
as WE'LL 1 should be happy If you could see
your way clear to withdraw 1t. But If that
is not possible. 1t would help If you would
say in your own way, that the document
really goes. I hope do not offend when I
tell you that there is some doubt on that
point
DO you mean that you have come down
here for an af1davit?'
mot Just that, Mr.. Cleveland. Not just
that. I am a plain man. without the art
of speech. I don't want to yoke you up
with Mark Hanna about anything. But We
are puzzled at Tammany Hall. and as we
out. If you could send mere wink back
and understood, and would do a world Of
good. Let me be frank and say that I am
here hoping for a wink"
Murphy, the contrary impression pre-
walls. but the fact is am always glad to
do business with you Tammany men. You
don't poster me about principles. You leave
all such matters to me. Some of our friends
worry me nearly to death on that subject.
One gets the impression that they are
loaded to the guards with those things, but
for the life of me, I can't see that they care
a rap about anything but shutting out the
negroes from the ballot-box. And that now
is an old story. The south gave me her
votes twenty years ago, before a single
state constitution had been revised. or the
grandfather clause had emerged from the
brain of legal juggler. But Tammany is
plain. and to the point. ALI 1t wants is a
fair share Of the spoils and I have never
found it unreasonable on that score"
Il am glad to hear you say that. Mr..
Cleveland We are q plain, practical set
of fellows. Give US assurance Of a fair
deal in the distribution of the offices, and
we care not who writes the platforms We
are even-tempered and philosophical. Our
enemies Of today are often our friends Oh
tomorrow. Our system of forg1ving enc
niles is the swiftest and completest on
record Why, sir. many Of the men who
denounced me In the severest terms in our
recent municipal contest are already fall
ing in behind me in the lining up for the
presidential contest. All is harmony
beatific harmony-and 1 am the little child
who shall lead them"
Murphy. I wish could comply today
with your wishes. But there are reasons
why I cannot. 1 can neither send a wink
nor key to my letter back to the boys
We must wait. For the present it will be
sufficient for them to know that received
you cordially and heard you with pleasure
Tell them that. and note how 1t works
Come down at any time. You will find the
latch string-to the back door-aIways on
the outside"
The stout gentleman beams knowingly ON
the smooth-faced guest, who, knowingly.
beams back, and they shake hands and
separate.