The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-09-05
HOW LAMONT NET CLEVELAND
Secretary Lamont els Anus
ing Stnsyof His First Meeting With
Grover Cleveland. just Afscr the
Latter Hal Been Elected Governor.
New York SUM-

used to relate most amusingiy TO his
intimate friends" said Colonel j. f.
Jones, how IL came about that he first
met Grover Cleveland after Cleveland
had been elected governor of New
York.
Lamont was then a reporter on The
Albany Argus. which was controlled by
Daniel Manning. and he had little idea
Of being anything else for a long time
to come. Grover Cleveland q only q
limited acquaintance with the leaders
Of his party throughout the state ut
that time, and though he had not yet
been i~naugurated. he was being de-
luged with letters from all over the
state, filled with all sorts OF sugges-
tons. making all sorts of demands and
calculated to make the days and nights
unpleasant for one with the little ex-
perience in politics that Cleveland then
had.
But these letters had 10 be answer
ed, and as they piled up before him
day by day. Cleveland saw the neces-
sity Of having some one who knew
state politics and politicians TO help
bim out of the muddle. He wrote TO
Dan Manning and told him of the
dilemma he was in. For heavens
sake he wrote, send me some to
help me!.'
Dan Lamont entered The Argus Of
flee rs Manning was reading Cieve-
lands letter, and when he had finish
ed reading he looked up and saw La
non He pondered Il moment and
then said:
"'Dan, l shouldn't wonder If you
might be able to help Cleveland out in
this. Suppose o run up to Buffalo
and try it,
Manning handed Lamont the letter.
Lamont read it and said:
"'All right. When shall | goE'
"'Better go right along said Man
ming.
$50 Lamont packed his grip-'And
it didn't make much of a grip to carry
all l had in those days. Lamont used
to say in telling about it-and took
the first train for Buffalo. 1t was late
in the evening when he arrived there,
but he though he had better report to
the governor before going TO a hotel,
so he had himself guided to where
Cleveland was keeping bachelor quar-
tiers, over Il store or something. La
mont knocked at the door.
"'Come i'm said Il vigorous voice.
Colonel Lamont and his handbag
went in. The g~overnOr-elect was sit
ting at a table. Letters opened and
unopened were piled and scattered
about the f1oor and Uttered the table,
while their recipient was plainly work
ing hard to get them in shape for an
swering, his coat off and his sleeves
rolled UP.
HE glanced inquiringly up as La
mont entered the room.
"'NIr. Manning sent me from Albany
in response to your letter, to see
whether | could be of any service to
you said Lamont, by way of intro
duction.
Colonel Lamont used to say that
Cleveland's face frightened, and he
rose and shook hands heartily with
his visitor.
"'Sit down. said he. I'm mighty
glad you've come
Lamont sat down, and they chatted
a while. Then Lamont said:
"'Well, governor, l guess I'll be go
ing now to hunt Ill a place to stay.
What time shall l come around in the
morning to begin the work?'
I'm the morning. exclaimed Cleve-
land, looking surprised. You're not
going to begin work at al in the morn
ing. You're going to begin right now
Now, Lamont was tired II hum
CRY and sleepy. He kept the tired and
sleepy part to himself, however, but
admitted to the governor that he was
hungry. and said he would go out and
get a bite of something before start
ing in with the business in hand.
ENTIRELY unnecessary, replied
Cleveland. I can fed you right here
"And Dan said the governor hustled
around and soon had a good enough
spread of cold vituals and a nice cup or
hot coffee, the latter made on the stove
in the room. ready for Dan to pitch in
and eat and drink, Cleveland taking a
snack himself, to keep company. The
mea finished, the governor hastily
cleared the table.
Now said he, lets get TO work
"They went to work, and from La
mont's knowledge and experience and
training in the matters to be attende
to he was able by half past / in the
morning 20 get Sucn a good w Vi
order out Of the mass n had outlined
such practical plans for facilitating the
work that the governor said he guess
ed they could spare h rest of the
night for sleeping. He had a bed for
Lamont, and when Lamont turned in
he asked what time he should get up
in the morning.
"'Oh, never mind that said Cleve-
land, Il will call you
las the late secretary used to say,
he went to bed SO tired that his head
had hardly touched the pillow before
he was asleep. He knew nothing fur-
Their until he was awakened by q noise
In the adjoining room. He rose In bed
and listened.
HE heard the stove being shaken
down vigorously and the rattle OF coal
being put on. and recognized the voice