New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-03

Standard OIL Company After the election OF
Grover Cleveland TO the Presidency New-York
politicians were not surprised the selection OF
AIR. Whitney for Cabinet Office
AS Secretary OF the Navy in Ny Clevelanc's first
administration. Mr.. Whitney was instrumental In
Increasing The number % fighting ships in the navy.
He exhibited executive ability and the knack OF
picking the right men the right places, and he
became popular the creator OF the White Squad
ron. With Mrs. Whitney he set the pace socially
for other members Of the Cabinet The New-York
home Of the whitneys that time was at Fifth
ave and Fifry-seventh-st-. a spacious house, in
which Mrs. Whitney had one Of the largest pirate
bathrooms in the city. In Washington the Whit
news occupied house which had been the home OF
Secretary Frelinghuysen. They added wings 10 II.
making space for large ballroom and dining hall
There they gave many receptions and social enter
tainments Three miles from Washington they
bought summer home Georgetown Heights. In
a mark Of one hundred acres. spent large sums in
improving il and there entertained many people
PREPARES TO RETIRE FROM POLITICS
In Mr. Cleveland's second campaign Mr.. Whitney
was untring IN his work for the ticket. and was
credited with spending great deal of money in
The effort 10 elect his chief When the campaign
ended in the election Of General Harrison TO the
Presidency Mr.. Whitney prepared retire with
Afr Cleveland from politics. Upon leaving Wash
iugton and political Office Mr.. Whitney turned his
attention city street railways in which he had
large interest. He made place for Daniel >
Lamont who had been President Cleveand'- secre-
while Mr. Cleveland became a resident Of this city
and resumed the practice of law.
Mr.. Cleveland's nomination and election 70 the
Presidency gain in 1892 due in some part 10
Mr. Whitneys activity. 1t supposed by many
politicians that Mr. Whitney would return to office
as a member Of Mr.. Clevelsnd's Cabinet again. but
he remained out Of II. 1t reported that Mr.
Whitney had an offer OF a place in the Cabinet and
declined IL. and there n report that no such
offer made There had been some talk in the
Nj whitney a Democratic candidate for the Presi-
dency and many New-York politicians thought the
relations between Fir. Cleveland and Mr.. Whitney
were not 50 cordial as they had been.
STOPS BOOM FOR GOVERNOR
In September 1854 Mr.. Whitney returned from
trip 20 Europe 20 find that the Democrats of New
York State preparing to nominate him for
Governor. Before he left the steamship he dictated
short statement declaring that for personal rea-
sons he could not be candidate. Later he sent
10 Major Hlnckley chairman OF the Democratic
State Committee at Saratoga, this dispatch:
I find on my arrival this ming that my name
is the subject Of some consideration oy ne , GeT
messages As I cannot well reply to these in de-
tail will you do me the kindness 10 say Tor me
tirely personal I cannot be candidate or accept
the nomination concur heartily I'M IN me i opinion
dress that harmonious and aggressive acuon on
sureIT 10 be crowned by success Principles not
men must constitute the issue. and New-York is
cratic principles when a united party demands
their enactment and enforcement
LEAVES POLITICS AT BRYAN's ADVENT.
The convention nominated Ex-Governor David b.
Hill who was defeated by Levi P. Morton one
OF the latest appearances 81 Mr. Whitney IN the
political field was in a long letter to Major Hinck-
lev advocating Mr. HnTs election. In this letter
he said:
] ErNu y inclined
onnose Governor hin on the theory that this cam
paign viii have an important be2ilhs "PI'" .isb
to suggest to to such that 1895 may safely ef 70
Governor Hili nor any one else will be able 70
secure two-thirds Of the votes in the next national
iectusi and moral issues Of his party. and has Pre-
/ eminent qualifications FOR the performance OF ms
| duty 20 both people and party
With the first nomination Of William Jennings
Bryan as the Democratic candidate for the Presi-
dency the political activity OF Mr.. Whitney ceased
| He was known to be strongly opposed 10 MI
4 Bryan's platform and theories
/ MR. WHITNEY AND THE METROPOLITAN.
Associated with Thomas F. Ryan and other CAPT
talists Mr. Whitney for years controlled the Met
4 ropolitan Street Railway Company. which was the
successor OF the Metropolitan Traction Company
and merged in the Interurban Street Railway
Company recently. II during the years OF
Mr.. whtney's control that the surface lines were
changed from cable lines and horse-car lines into
electric roads He assisted IN taking over the Third
Avenue Railroad Company and in the formation ~
the Interurbsn. with the Metropolitan Securities
, Company the holding company. While he
helping change the motive power Of the surface
cars IN the city Mr. Whitney formed the plan OF
combining the and electric lighting companies.
He also had plan for combination Of electric
nanufa cturing plants in the manufacture OF cleo
tric motors 10 displsce steam locomotives the
great railway lines 81 the country.
Two years ago Mr.. Whitney announced that he
had decided to retire from active business life. He
said he would refuse TO be drawn into any
business undertakings give much time the
management OF properties in which he had large
interests. The management Of the Metropolitan
Street Railway Company. he said left en-
trely TO H II. Nreeand. president OF the company.
| Mr.. Whitney declared that he intended to give up
his time 10 the enjoyment of life during time
| he had 20 live Since then Mr. Whitney had rarely
visited his downtown ONCE. and had not allowed
the cares OF property TO encroach largely upon his
/ time
Mr. Whitney was a member Of many OF the
prominent political business and social organiza-
tons Of the city. including the Chamber Of Com
1 merce the New-York Yacht Club. the Society Of
| Mayiower Descendants. the Metropolitan Museum
OF Art. the Suburban Riding and Driving Club the
Country Club Of Westchester County the Coney
| leland Jockey Club the Metropolitan Club the
Union Club. the Knickerbocker Club the Man
haitian Club the New-York Geological Society. the
Democratic Club. the Lawyers Club the Century
Club the Meadow Brook Hunt, the Yale Alumni
| Club the Jockey Club Of New-York The Turf and
Field Club the University Club. the Racquet and
/ Tennis Club. the American Museum Of Natural
/ History. the Municipal Art Society the New-York
Genealogical and Biographical Society. the New
| England Society. the City Midday Club and the
Automobile Club Of America
Mr.. Whitney became a racing about
years ago. his racing color., light blue. brown
cap appearing the turf in the spring Of 1895
The great house OF Mr. whitney in Fffth-ave AT