The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-12-05
ex AssocIassd rress.

=
New York, Dec 4.-Notable expert
ences in the memory of the late Gro
yer Cleveland, ex-president of the
United States, constituted the open
ing session, in this city today, of the
Association of Life Insurance Presi-
dents. of which he had been chairman
during the year and half between
the time of its Organization and his
death.
The program, which was brief, in
eluded addresses by President Paul
Morton of the Equitable Life Assur-
ance Society and DIR. John H. Finlay.
president of the College of the City
of New York, and the reading of let
tiers which had been received from
Former Vice-President Stevenson and
Governor Hoke Smith and Hilary A.
Herbert, members of Mr.. Cleveland s
cabinet This meeting had been look
ed forward to as an interesting fore
runner of the general memorial meet
ing for Mr.. Cleveland to be held in
this city on March Is of next year.
The afternoon included an address
entitled, "A Message From the South
and West" by Samuel B. Smith, presl.
dent of the American Life Conven-
ton"
Paul Morton.
Paul Morton, president of the
Equitable Life Assurance Society, IN
his address, spoke of Mr.. Cleveland
in personal way and of his connec
ton with the life insurance business.
Mr.. Morton said in part:
1 will not attempt today to deliver
a eulogy on Mr.. Grover Cleveland. /
am only going to speak of him in a
personal way. and of his connection
with the life insurance business; at
the same time recalling to your at
tention a few OF the things he did
while in public life. and emphasizing
some of his strong characteristics.
The first time l had the pleasure of
meeting him was at Lakewood, New
Jersey, early in 1893, at the little
White House, where / had gone with
my father who had been requested by
telegraph to come there to see Mr.
Cleveland, and who then offered him a
position in his cabinet, which he &C
cepted. l was very much impressed
with the kindly manner and simple
ways of Mr. Cleveland at this first in
terview, and remember distinctly
what human view he took of things.
The next time ! saw Mr. Cleveland
was the night before the Inauguration
of his second term as President He
was at that time nearly ffty-sixs years
of age, and it was at the Arlington
hotel. in Washington. He was in his
prime, and probably never anticipated
| the next day with more satisfaction;
| for, after having been defeated by
Mr. Harrison, after experiencing the
chagrin of escorting him to the CAPT
| tol four years before and seeing him
inaugurated as his successor; after
| four long years in New York as a prl-
waite citizen, he was to have the ex-
| treme satisfaction the next day OF hav
| ing Mr.. Harrison personally conduct
him to the capitol, and hand him back
| the greatest gift at the hands OF the
American people. He was certainly
/ in great glee, not because OF exuita
| ton in defeating an adversary, but
/ more because he had been indicated
| by the people he loved TO serve.
Three years ago Mr.. Cleveland, &C
companied by Mrs. Cleveland, went
with me-to Nebraska for the express
purpose of delivering the address al
/ the unwilling of the public monument
erected in memory of my father His
| speech on this occasion was most I'M
pressiye. He said he had not come
| there without a mission. He was
| there to testify to my fathers lofty
/ civic righteousness; his simple and
sure standards of public morality; his
stern insistence on Official honesty
his sturdy adherence to opinions de
tliberately and conscientiously adopt
ed, and his passionate desire to serve
/ the best interests OF his feilow-coun
/ trymen. I know of no picture | coult
draw, of Mr.. Cleveland that would
more fully describe himself than his
opinion thus expressed of my owl
| father. and / know you will all excuse
the personal reference in my quoting
| from that address
/ One year ago he was presiding a.
this convention, and it was at thai
time that his insurance address so i'm